opera hat
Definition
Noun: A collapsible top hat with a tall crown, traditionally made of silk or covered with beaver fur, worn by men as formal evening wear.
Usage
An "opera hat" is a specific type of formal headwear. It is designed to be portable and collapsible, allowing it to be conveniently stored when not in use, such as under a theater seat. It is strongly associated with white-tie attire and evening events like the opera or ballet. * He arrived at the gala wearing a tailcoat and an elegant silk opera hat. * The gentleman deftly collapsed his opera hat and placed it under his seat as the performance began.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The opera hat, also known as a "Gibbus" or "chapeau claque," was a standard part of 19th and early 20th-century formal menswear. Its use has significantly declined but it remains an icon of historical and theatrical costume.
- As a Symbol: The hat can symbolize old-world elegance, extreme formality, or a bygone aristocratic era.
Variants and Related Words
- Gibbus: Another name for an opera hat, derived from its inventor.
- Chapeau claque: The French term for "opera hat," literally meaning "clapping hat," referring to the sound it makes when collapsed.
- Top hat: A broader category of tall, flat-crowned formal hats. An opera hat is a specific, collapsible type of top hat.
- Collapsible top hat: A descriptive synonym.
Synonyms
- Gibbus
- Chapeau claque
- Collapsible top hat
Antonyms
- Informal hat (e.g., cap, beanie)
- Casual headwear
Related Phrases
- White-tie attire: The most formal dress code, for which an opera hat was traditionally appropriate.
- Evening wear: The category of clothing intended for formal events after 6 p.m.
Noun
-
a man's hat with a tall crown; usually covered with silk or with beaver fur
