Terms and Conditions

Our silk top hats are rare, historic items, hired for special occasions with the expectation that they will be treated with exceptional care. By placing a booking, the renter agrees to these hire policies.

Silk Top Hats
Traditional silk plush top hats are no longer made because the original silk plush fabric is no longer manufactured. Each hat is therefore a finite and increasingly scarce item, often with significant age, craftsmanship and collectible value.

Normal signs of age may be present and will be recorded before hire where relevant. The renter must not attempt to repair, clean, reshape, polish or otherwise alter a hired hat.

Security Deposit
A refundable security deposit of £300 is required for every top hat hire.

The deposit will be returned after the hat has been inspected on its return, provided it is returned on time and in the same serviceable condition in which it was hired. We may retain some or all of the deposit to cover late return, cleaning, repair, restoration, loss, theft or damage.

The security deposit is not a limit on the renter’s liability.

Renter Liability
The renter is responsible for the hired top hat from collection or delivery until it has been received and accepted back by us.

The renter is liable for all loss, theft, damage, staining, crushing, water damage, deterioration caused by misuse, unauthorised alteration, and any repair or specialist restoration costs. If a hat is lost, stolen, damaged beyond economical repair, or cannot be returned to a serviceable hire condition, the renter is liable up to the full stated replacement value of the top hat.

Where the appropriate replacement value exceeds the £300 security deposit, the renter must pay the remaining balance on demand. We reserve the right to recover reasonable costs incurred in pursuing unpaid sums.

Care of the Hat
Top hats must be handled carefully and stored safely at all times. In particular, the renter must not:

• Wear the hat in heavy rain or place it on wet surfaces.
• Leave it unattended in public places, vehicles, cloakrooms or unsecured venues.
• Place food, drink, confetti, flowers, badges, pins, tape, labels or other objects on or inside it.
• Sit on, squash, bend, fold or rest items on the hat.
• Store it near direct heat, open flames, candles, radiators or damp conditions.
• Clean it with water, sprays, brushes, polish, solvents or household cleaning products.
• Allow another person to use it without our prior consent.
• Make any repair, alteration or adjustment to the hat.
• The hat should be transported in the supplied box or protective packaging whenever it is not being worn.

Condition on Collection
The renter must inspect the hat at collection or on delivery and notify us immediately of any concern regarding its condition, fit or description. Acceptance of the hat confirms that it has been received in satisfactory, serviceable condition.

Photographs may be taken before and after hire to record the hat’s condition.

Hire Period and Returns
The agreed hire period and return date will be confirmed at booking. The hat must be returned by the agreed time, in its original box or protective packaging and with all supplied accessories.

Late returns may incur additional hire charges and may affect the availability of the hat for subsequent customers. If you expect to be late, contact us as soon as possible; an extension is not guaranteed and must be agreed in writing.

Cleaning and Damage Assessment
All returned hats are inspected before the security deposit is released. If specialist cleaning, repair or restoration is required, we may retain the deposit while we obtain an assessment and confirm the cost.

We will only charge reasonable sums reflecting the work required, loss of hire income where applicable, or the hat’s stated replacement value if it cannot be restored to a serviceable condition.

Cancellation and Changes
Cancellation or changes to a booking must be requested as early as possible. Any booking fee, hire fee or deposit treatment on cancellation will be confirmed in the booking terms provided at the time of reservation.

We may cancel or substitute a booking only where necessary—for example, if a hat is unexpectedly damaged, unavailable or unsuitable for hire. In that event, we will seek to offer a suitable alternative or refund sums paid for the unavailable hire.

Collection and Delivery
The renter must provide accurate collection, delivery and contact details. For delivered items, risk passes to the renter when the hat is delivered to the agreed address or received by the named renter or authorised recipient.

The renter remains responsible for safe packaging and return delivery where return shipping has been agreed.

Contact Us
Please contact us promptly if the hat is damaged, lost, stolen, delayed, or if you have any concern during the hire period. Early notice may help us minimise damage and arrange an appropriate solution.

By completing a booking, paying the hire charge or accepting delivery or collection of a top hat, the renter confirms acceptance of these policies.