Everyone knows what a Derby or Bowler looks like, but not everyone knows the name, oddly enough for us older folks who grew up with them in Clockwork Orange or as immortalized by Charlie Chaplin . . . yes, you're young and don't know who he is either??!!  Read on my innocents and seasoned hat buyers:  A Bowler was designed as the original hard hat (like construction workers wear) in England.  It was manufactured by The Bowler Brothers.  Then, The Earl of Derby started wearing one and there you have it - two names.  Derby and Bowler.  The old Earl must have been an adverturesome bloke.  A lot like the wonderful world of characters that come through the doors of Fedora Primo no doubt!

This is a made in the U.S.A. specimen of fine wool felt.  It's lined and the inside head band is a naugahyde type vinyl.  Yes, most car seats in the 50's and 60's were Naugahyde.  It stuck to your legs in the summer or made you blister if you had the windows rolled up on a hot day and they began cracking within a year or two as did the dashboard making most American cars ready for trade in, rusted out with cracked everything.  Our Bowlers/Derbies last forever if at all cared for and come trimed with the best of grosgrain ribbon.  A little spray repellent will make them doable in the rain and fog of Merry Old England as well.

P.S.  Don't forget The Avengers!!