Hat

Retailer Oliver Brown has reported a boost in the sale of antique silk top hats ahead of Royal Ascot next week.

Demand from well-dressed gentlemen for authentic silk top hats for Royal Ascot this week has boosted sales for retailer Oliver Brown.

London menswear specialist Oliver Brown has been boosted by sales of antique and vintage top hats ahead of racing and society event Royal Ascot which begins today.

Small is beautiful in the antiques world where miniature versions can command as much, sometimes more, than their full-size counterparts. That was certainly the case at Christie’s South Kensington last month when the small collection of miniature top hats and one bowler pictured above was pursued way beyond its £300-500 estimate to sell for £2400 (plus 17.5% per cent buyer’s premium) in the auctioneers’ March 12 costume and textiles sale.