The History of Beaver Hats

A Deep-Dive into the Impact of Beaver Hats on Early European Fashion and the Fur Trade

The beaver top hat, spanning from the late 16th to mid-19th centuries, made a significant impression on men’s fashion throughout Europe. Renowned for their high value, beaver top hats were often cherished family possessions, handed down from father to son spanning generations. These hats spoke volumes about an individual’s social status and occupation, with the design playing a significant role.

Although they were crafted from a variety of fur felt, the highest quality and most popular felt was made from beaver. This preference for beaver fur felt played a crucial role in shaping the fur trade industry and left a lasting impact on the fashion world.

The Birth of The Fur Trade

The reign of King Charles I of England (1625–1642) witnessed high demand for beaver top hats, spurred by the evolving fashion trends across Europe. By the late 17th century, beavers had become nearly extinct in Europe due to this skyrocketing demand. However, the European hat industry found salvation in North America, which provided an alternate source of supply, thus leading to the birth of the fur trade.

The tremendous demand for these hats persisted through the 18th and early 19th centuries, leading to an explosive growth in the fur trade. The establishment of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1670 was primarily driven by the quest for raw materials, specifically beaver fur. In its early days, the company even enticed influential men in London with complimentary beaver hats valued at £34 to stimulate investment in the company.

The historical significance of the beaver, as a crucial commodity in the early history of the Company, is evident. This connection between their early history and HBC’s current status as an international world-class retailer highlights the profound influence the pursuit of fashion had on the company’s business trajectory.

The Art of Beaver Hat Production

Initially, the epicentre of the European hat-making industry was France. However, with the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, more than 10,000 hatters migrated to England, causing the French hat-making industry to collapse and England to emerge as the new hub of production.

The production of the actual beaver hats required a process called felting. Beaver fur has tiny barbs on the ends which, when pressed, interlock to form a solid fabric called ‘felt.’ This water-resistant quality of beaver hats, along with their wide brims, made them an ideal choice for the rainy English climate, especially before the invention of the umbrella.

Beaver hats were also surrounded by superstitions. Some believed that wearing a beaver hat enhanced intelligence and memory if the oil from the fur was rubbed into one’s hair. It was even rumored that a deaf person could regain their hearing by wearing a beaver hat.

Despite their popularity, the fashion for beaver felt hats began to wane in the mid-19th century when silk was discovered to be a less expensive yet equally stylish alternative. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s consort, played a significant role in popularizing silk hats in the 1840s.

Tthe beaver top hat, beyond its aesthetic appeal, served as a powerful symbol of wealth, social standing, and the burgeoning fur trade, leaving an indelible imprint on early European fashion and trade.