The Laird Top Hats: Keeping Tradition in Modern Society
Enduring the Top Hats in Modern Britain: Tradition, Ceremony, and Style
Today, the top hat stands as a symbol of timeless elegance and British tradition, despite its origins in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While everyday use has faded, this iconic piece of headwear continues to hold a place of honour at prestigious events and ceremonial occasions across the United Kingdom.
Here, we explore the enduring presence of the top hat, from royal occasions to subcultural style statements, and its continued role in modern British fashion.
The Royal Ascot
One of the most famous events where the top hat remains essential is Royal Ascot. This prestigious horse racing event, held annually in Ascot, Berkshire, is synonymous with British high society and formal tradition.
In the Royal Enclosure, a strict dress code is observed. Gentlemen are required to wear a black or grey morning suit, waistcoat, tie, and the quintessential top hat. The spectacle of finely dressed attendees against the backdrop of the races highlights the continued charm and grandeur of this elegant headpiece.
The State Opening of Parliament
The State Opening of Parliament marks the beginning of the parliamentary year and is one of the grandest ceremonial occasions in the British calendar. Members of the House of Lords and distinguished guests attend in traditional attire.
Male attendees often pair their morning dress with a top hat, contributing to the pageantry and reinforcing the sense of continuity with Britain's constitutional history.
Weddings and Formal Events
While less common in everyday life, top hats still make appearances at high-society weddings and other formal gatherings. Grand affairs, particularly those held at historic venues or involving aristocratic families, often call for morning dress — complete with a top hat.
These events offer a respectful nod to tradition and highlight the enduring allure of classic British style.
Eton College Traditions
At Eton College, one of Britain’s most prestigious schools, the top hat forms part of the traditional uniform worn for certain ceremonial occasions. Known as 'tails', this formal dress includes a black tailcoat and top hat, worn by students during significant processions and events.
This long-standing tradition reflects Eton’s deep historical roots and reinforces the top hat’s role in British educational and social heritage.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides and Historical Reenactments
Top hats are also seen during horse-drawn carriage rides, particularly in historic cities such as London and Bath. To enhance the authenticity of the experience, drivers often wear traditional livery that includes a top hat.
Similarly, historical reenactments, especially those set during the Victorian period, frequently feature top hats to represent the dress of the era accurately.
Funerals
In some high-profile or aristocratic funerals, the top hat is worn as part of a traditional mourning dress. When paired with a black morning suit, it conveys a dignified and respectful tone that befits the solemnity of the occasion. This use underscores the top hat’s continuing role in British ceremonial life.
From Old Style to New Charm
Though the top hat is steeped in tradition, it has not been confined to it. Subcultures such as punk, gothic, and new wave have adopted the top hat and reimagined it for modern style.
In the 1980s, the London New Romantics scene — led by figures like Boy George — mixed vintage fashion with bold theatricality. The top hat became a statement of individuality and glamour, showing how this classic piece can transcend boundaries and spark new creativity.
Fashion, after all, is not only about following the rules, but also knowing how to bend them to express something uniquely your own.
Final Thoughts
While the everyday wearing of top hats may belong to a bygone era, their continued presence at key events and within modern subcultures shows that their elegance has never truly gone out of style. Whether at Royal Ascot, a wedding, a political ceremony, or a creative reinterpretation on the streets of London, the top hat remains a powerful emblem of British heritage, grace and flair.
Find your touch of British tradition now with Laird's Top Hat Collection.