The hat’s name derives from a play based on George du Maurier’s 1894 novel Trilby, and one was worn in the first London production of the stage adaptation. The trilby hat was widely worn from the late 1920s onwards, initially as a casual sporting hat, such as for wearing to horse races. By the end of World War II, it had largely supplanted other hats such as Homburgs and bowlers for wear with a suit or smart casual, although it never replaced flat caps. It continued to be commonly worn this way until hats stopped being everyday wear for men in about the 1960s. Ever since, the trilby hat has been a symbol of chic elegance and class, and has been associated with jazz, ska and soul musicians. Trilby hat’s have been popular among the rude boy, mod, skinhead and 2 Tone subcultures. In the UK, trilby hat’s have also become popular within the indie rock and emo scenes.
