Centre Stage with the Trilby Hat
In 1895 renowned theatre actors Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Dorothea Baird debuted a play in London’s West End which was based on the literary sensation of the previous year. Playing to packed houses the play quickly replicated the success of the book and also introduced a new item of headwear to the world. The play was titled “Trilby” and the hat which took its name went on to be as successful as both the book and play.
George du Maurier’s novel, has somewhat faded from collective cultural memory, but two of the characters, Trilby the titular heroine and Svengali her mesmerising manager have remained firmly part of cultural firmament. Whilst Trilby is immortalised in fashion form, Svengali has gone down in infamy to refer to those music moguls who exert significant, often malevolent, control over their artists, or even the wider cultural landscape.
The novel from which the two famous characters originate was published initially in instalments in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, becoming the sensation of 1894, quickly selling over 200,000 copies in the US alone. The book is set in the idyllic bohemian Paris of the 1850s and features the stories of three British artists, the masterful musician and hypnotist Svengali and the artist’s model, laundress, and love interest of all the men Trilby.
The novel itself had its own impact on fashions of the time with its depiction of bohemian Paris striking a cord with young American readers, particularly young women. The novel was often seen as the moment when young women first embraced the identity of an artist and the lifestyle of a ‘bachelor girl’ whilst smoking cigarettes and drinking red wine.
Although the fate of Trilby O'Ferrall, the novel's heroine, is sadly tragic the hat that would bear her name would go from strength to strength. Initially made from rabbit hair felt the Trilby is similarly styled to the Fedora, which also incidentally took its name from a stage play, but with a shorter brim angled down at the front and slightly turned up at the back. The traditional Trilby also has a slightly shorter crown than the classic Fedora design, often with a slight indent to the top.
Though popular from the outset the style hit its zenith in the 50s and 60s with Frank Sinatra being a notable fan of the style. Fading from fashion for a time as men’s hats fell from favour, partially due to the decreasing headroom late 60s and 70s cars, the style saw a revival in the 80s as an alternative sun hat with a cool vintage style. As with all classic designs its rarely been away since with the Trilby being embraced by Alt-Rockers, Hipsters and Retro fans alike.
Three Failsworth Trilby Hats available from Atom Retro, (left to right) the Milan in olive, the Malibu in navy and the classic Paperstraw Trilby in rust.
Iconic British brand Failsworth produce a range of Trilby hats with Atom Retro providing some real choice cuts. Crafted in toya straw and ideal for the warmer weather they are the ultimate upgrade from the baseball cap. Combining perfectly with a short sleeve shirt and chino shirts, these classic designs will add a little vintage ‘50s finesse to your summer style.
