Christys’ London Black Top Hat for formal occasions, made by the world’s oldest milliners: handmade in Wool Felt with 5 1/4in crown

This is the season for top hats and tails. Weddings, Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot—they are all too soon upon us. And this fur felt top hat by Christys’ London, the world’s oldest milliner, is a smart hat—and through the Club it’s a real El Snippo.

Christys’ was founded in 1773 by Miller Christy, 24 years before the first top hat was worn. It caused actual panic on the streets of London. Nobody had seen anything like it: ladies fainted, dogs barked, horses shied, somebody broke an arm, and the hat’s wearer, John Heatherington, was fined £50—a small fortune at the time—for disturbing the peace.

Having perfected the art of making proper fur top hats at the outset, Christy passed his skills to the next generation and now, more than two centuries later, to be wearing a handmade Christys’ of London hat is to wear a classic.

We have all Christys’ of London top hat styles. The black wool felt has a 5 1/4in (13.3cm) crown and is popular for weddings and racing. It sports a black grosgrain hatband, and is lined in silk with the resplendent Christys’ of London gold, red and blue emblem in the top of the lining.

RRP £195. CCUK £119 including UK mainland delivery.