One type of hat that many may not be aware of, or at least be aware of the name of this particular hat is a Pork Pie Hat. You may be aware of what it looks like, but just not the name. One reason for this is the fact its is not worn so much today in modern day culture. But it was worn quite frequently over a hundred years ago.

Pork Pie Hat

The Pork Pie hat is famously worn by many charachters in films and cartoons. Do you remember the cartoon Top Cat, the hat the cats worn in that cartoon where all Pork Pie hats.

Throughout the late 1880′s American Civil War solidiers unofficially won the Pork Pie hat. The Pork Pie hat is mostcommonly known for its association with Jazz, Blues and Ska music. Musicians and fans have been seen wearing Pork Pie hats.

As the years grew on, the Pork Pie hat started to get more popular in the UK, by the 1960′s. It was most popular for people who thought they where “rude boys”, i suppose a bit like the modern day “burberry”.

At this point in the US the popularity for a Pork Pie hat had died of until Gene Hackman was seen wearing this particular hat, in the film “The french connection” Gene hackman played the character Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. It had made a slight resurrgence in the 70′s.

The hat itself is made up of felt, not always but more times than not, its occasionally made from straw, but these are now very rare. Pork Pie hats are similar in looks to the Fedora and the Trilby, the only difference is that the Pork Pie hat has a flat top which is more like the Boater hat.