The opera hat, also known as the Gibus, chapeau claque, or chapeau bras, is a collapsible top hat invented in 1823 by Antoine Gibus. It was designed to be easily stored and worn at the opera, and later became popular for other occasions. Today, the traditional top hat is still worn at formal events, but the collapsible version is rare.
An opera hat is a different type of top hat that can be folded up for easy storage. This type of hat is also known as a Gibus, chapeau claque or chapeau bras. Until it collapses, an opera hat looks and functions exactly like any other top hat.
The original top hat was created in the late 18th century and became fashionable during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The first top hat appeared in England and was made of beaver fur, similar to many other hats of the day. The most notable aspect of the hat was its distinctive shape, with a wide brim and a cylindrical top.
The beaver fur used to cover the hat was replaced by a silk known as “hatter’s plush” in the early 19th century. Although this material was initially rejected by many who still preferred beaver fur construction, silk soon became the standard material for top hats. In the mid-19th century, the top hat was a symbol of wealth, reputation, and class.
The appeal of the top hat is its ability to make the wearer appear taller and more imposing. It is usually worn leaning forward and at a very slight angle. Gray hats can be worn with casual clothing during the day, while the classic black hat is reserved for evening events and formal occasions.
A top hat was a very common accessory for events like operas throughout the 19th century. However, the height and size of the hat made it difficult to store in dressing rooms, and such a tall piece of headgear could not be worn at the opera without obscuring the view of other attendees. This distinctive problem led to the invention of the opera hat.
In 1823, Antoine Gibus devised a solution for the top hats worn for the opera. He developed a collapsible opera hat, which worked by using a small spring. This new style of top hat could be flattened and neatly stored under one’s seat at the opera. This hat earned the name chapeau claque for the distinctive sound it made when it fell over.
The opera hat was often worn in place of a regular top hat for occasions other than opera. It frequently collapsed and helped under a man’s arm until he decided to put it on. This method of wearing the hat earned him another nickname, chapeau bras, which is French for “arm hat.”
Although the top hat experienced its greatest rise in popularity during the 19th century, it can still be seen today at some formal events, such as weddings. The collapsible version of the hat, however, has almost completely gone out of style. A true opera hat is now hard to find outside of antique stores.
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