The ten steampunk hat styles worth knowing are the goggled top hat, the flat top with lenses, the white top hat, the gothic top hat, the Victorian lady's top hat, the mini top hat, the officer cap, the tricorn, the cat-ear hat and the beret. Below is what each one says, what to wear it with and the hat from our collection that does it.
I'm Thaddeus Blackwell. If you want the method rather than the menu, start with my guide to choosing a steampunk hat.
1. The goggled top hat
The definitive steampunk hat: a tall black top hat with goggles across the brim. Ours come with the goggles fixed in place, on the raven top hat (which also has a raven) and the copper goggle top hat, which adds gears, a skeletal hand and a key charm.
How to wear it: a frock coat, a waistcoat and a high collar. The hat carries the outfit, so keep the rest plain.
2. The flat top with lenses
A flat-topped hat for the more mechanically minded. The triple goggle flat top carries three gear-etched lenses and a ring of bronze spikes on matte black felt.
How to wear it: with a fitted waistcoat and leather-look accessories. Spikes and lenses suit a convention better than a christening.
3. The white top hat
White turns the usual palette inside out and makes black hardware stand out. Choose the feathered goggle top hat with crossed straps, or the chain-linked gear top hat with lace at the back.
How to wear it: with a dark waistcoat for contrast, or all in white for a stage or a wedding.
4. The gothic top hat
Steampunk with its darker side showing. The winged skull top hat is black vegan leather with a croc-effect front panel and metal rings along the brim.
How to wear it: with a black frock coat, or with goggles and a long coat for something more industrial. Halloween is the obvious outing.
5. The Victorian lady's top hat
Lace, chain, feathers and medallions on a black top hat. The butterfly medallion top hat has a feather plume and ribbon ties; the butterfly and rose top hat has embroidered gears and lace streamers.
How to wear it: with a high-collared blouse, a bustle or long skirt and gloves.
6. The mini top hat
A small top hat worn in the hair like a fascinator. The gear mini top hat has gold-tone gears, a bow and a trail of black lace.
How to wear it: pinned at an angle with a lace blouse, or as the one ornate thing against a plain dress.
7. The officer cap
Military lines for the airship captain. The sunburst officer cap has a copper medallion, gold stars, a chin strap and a rose in red, blue or black.
How to wear it: with a fitted jacket, gloves and lace-up boots.
8. The tricorn
The sky pirate's hat. Our brown tricorn is faux leather with a brass rivet at each folded corner and a distressed finish.
How to wear it: with a long coat, a loose shirt and boots. It also rescues any fancy dress invitation received at short notice.
9. The cat-ear hat
Steampunk for cosplayers. The cat-ear hat has riveted metal ears and spiked copper-tone goggles on felt.
How to wear it: with a corset and a short jacket as the finishing piece of a cosplay build.
10. The beret
The steampunk hat you can wear on a weekday. The heart-buckle knit beret has silver buckles and a chain; the camel felt beret has a petal rosette and no hardware at all.
How to wear it: with a long coat and boots, or over a Victorian-style blouse.
The full range is in our steampunk hats collection, where each full-size hat lists its head size in centimetres and inches with the UK hat size.
FAQ
What are the main steampunk hat styles?
The top hat, in tall, flat-topped and mini versions, plus the officer cap, the tricorn, the beret and novelty shapes such as the cat-ear hat.
What do you wear with a steampunk top hat?
A frock coat or tailcoat with a waistcoat and a high collar, or for ladies a corset, a long skirt and gloves.
Which steampunk hat is easiest to wear every day?
A beret. It is soft, sits close to the head and works with ordinary clothes.
