History & Definition Of Men's Hats - The Homburg

Winston Churchil : V is for victory, H is for homburgs.


A homburg is a stiff hat, usually made of fur felt, that is superficially very similar to the trilby or fedora, since both can have a crease from the front to the back of the crown, known as a "center dent". The homburg usually has no pinches, and has a brim with the edge sharply turned up all the way around.

It was popularized by Edward VII after he visited Bad Homburg in Hessen, Germany, and brought back a hat of this style.

Brief History on Edward VIII: If you are not familiar with this figure, read on, for his life contains one of the greatest love stories of our modern age.

King Edward VIII did something that monarchs do not have the luxury of doing - he fell in love. King Edward was in love with Mrs. Wallis Simpson, not only an American, but also a married woman already once divorced. Yet, in order to marry the woman he loved, King Edward was willing to give up the British throne - and he did.

To some, this was the love story of the century. To others, it was a scandal that threatened to weaken the monarchy. In reality, the story of King Edward VIII and Mrs. Wallis Simpson never fulfilled either of these notions. Instead, the story is about a prince who wanted to be like everyone else.

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The duke of Windsor (formerly Edward VIII) and duchess of Windsor on their wedding day, June 3, 1937

King Edward VIII's 1934 Buick, which he rode to Downing Street to announce his abdication from the British throne.

In Britain, a black homburg became widely known in the 1930s as an "Anthony Eden" after the Government Minister of that name. It is believed by some that Eden's rapid rise through the political hierarachy owed as much to image as to substance.


Anthony Eden wearing his signature homburg.

The homburg is sometimes referred to as The Godfather, which tends to variate with a slightly wider brim which rolls upward on the sides the way a bowler hat would.

The Golden Gate Homburg (Godfather)
100% wool, made inUSA
$54
villagehatshop.com





Above hat available in 7 colors at villagehatshop.com











The Homburg by Stacy Adams
wool felt
$55
menshats.com











Homburg Hat by Dobbs
Velour Fur Felt, available in beige
$105
hats.com









The Homburg (Godfather) - Light
100% wool, available in 4 light colors
$54
villagehatshop.com






Forenza Silk Fur Felt Homburg by Dobbs
Silk Fur Felt, Satin Lining
$169
dadshats.com






Edaward VII's abdication speech

History & Definition Of Men's Hats - The Fedora The Trilby

History Of Men's Fashion
The 1950's
The 1940's
The 1930's
The1920's