A trilby hat (commonly called a trilby) is a narrow-brimmed fedora. The trilby was once viewed as the rich man's favored hat; it is sometimes called the "brown trilby" in England and is much seen at the horse races. It is also sometimes described as a "crumpled" fedora.The London hat company Lock and Co. describes the trilby as having a "shorter brim which is angled down at the front and slightly turned up at the back" versus the fedora's "wider brim which is more level ."  The trilby also has a slightly shorter crown than a typical fedora design.

 

The hat's name derives from the stage adaptation of George du Maurier's 1894 novel Trilby; a hat of this style was worn in the first London production of the play, and promptly came to be called "a Trilby hat".

 

Traditionally it is made from rabbit hair felt, but is usually made from other materials, such as tweed, straw, wool and wool/nylon blends. The hat reached its zenith of common popularity in the 1960s; the lower head clearance in American automobiles made it impractical to wear a hat with a tall crown while driving. It faded from popularity in the 1970s when any type of men's headwear became obsolete, and men's fashion instead began focusing on highly maintained hairstyles.

 

The hat saw a resurgence in popularity in the early 1980s, when it was marketed to both men and women in an attempt to capitalize on a retro fashion trend.
 

In shape it resembles the Tyrolean hat.

 

Following another riding accident at the weekend, you'd think Madonna would steer clear of all things equestrian. However, the singer comes over all country squire as she attends a Kabbalah service in New York, teaming a black trilby hat and cosy long cardigan with tweed jodhpurs and zip front black ankle boots.