In Regency and Victorian Britain, hats of all kinds were worn throughout the year, but top hats were a status symbol – a visible signal that the wearer was a gentleman. They became even more popular after Prince Albert chose this form of headgear in 1850.

 

These samples were made by a Diss hatter, William Aldrich, who worked in the town between 1858 until the end of the century. They were known as top hats because of their height, which was generally 16-17cm at this time. 

 

The black Regent style top hat is made of black leather covered with a silk hat band. The fabric lining is marked W. Aldrich and stamped with a royal patronage crest.

 

The light grey sample, also signed with the maker's name, is in a different style. The hat is tapered with a brim which is curved upward on each side. It is also made of leather and covered in grey silk.

 

William Aldrich was born in Palgrave in 1823 and had premises in Diss town centre. One of these was in the market square in an unusually tall (four storey) building known as the Pepperpot. In 1878, a fire in an adjoining building spread to the Pepperpot, causing the roof to fall in as the chimney collapsed. 

 

Mr Aldrich was unhurt, but he lost his tools and all his stock. The fire spread to the shutters of the nearby Shambles building. However, the building, which is now Diss Museum, was saved by John Aldrich, possibly a relative of William's, who put out the fire. The Pepperpot, a popular local landmark, and the building where the fire started, were both left derelict. 

 

Somehow the business of William Aldridge survived. Census reports show that he was still making hats in 1891. He retired in 1901 and died in 1904.