How to restore and keep silk top hats

Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.

| Next

How to restore and keep silk top hats

By The Field

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

I recently found a couple of silk top hats - one top hat looks as though it could be rather smart, but is in need of some repair. Could I do this myself or should I contact an expert? Also, what is the best way to store top hats?
CP, by email

ANSWER

It can be very
difficult to restore a silk top hat oneself and this is often detrimental to
its value. Old silk top hats, depending on their size (the larger the
better), can be quite valuable and any extra damage to the silk can
affect this.

Patey (tel 020 7706 7632) has extensive experience and is
able to repair and patch the silk top hats carefully, but cannot replace it.
Patey can also rebuild the body of the hat and correct most other
problems.

Refurbishment normally takes around four weeks and costs up to
£200.

As regards storage, Patey suggests putting the silk top hatsin
a box with a few moth or cedar balls, stuffing the crown with newspaper
to draw any moisture from it and, if dusty, brushing the top hat with a soft
clothes brush.

More Country Queries in The Field