How to Make a Cheap Top Hat

The top hat has long been a popular fashion choice since the 1700s due to its style and elegance. If you are looking to recreate the look of the top hat, but don’t wish to spend a great deal of money on one, all you will need are a few household items.

What You Will Need

• Measuring tape


• Pencil compass


• Black poster board


• Ruler


• Stapler


• Box cutter


• Glue stick


• Glue gun


• Scissors

1. Measure around your head with the measuring tape. This measurement will be used for the width of the top hat crown.


2. Place the measuring tape on the poster board and mark the measurement. Add an additional inch to the measurement.


3. Determine how tall you would like your top hat to be.


4. Use the measuring tape to mark the height of the top hat on the poster board. The line for the height should be parallel to the width line and just as long.


5. Cut out the crown from the poster board; when cut out you should have a rectangle.


6. Overlap the width of the rectangle and staple the edges together.


7. Test the fit of the crown and adjust if necessary.


8. Glue the overlapping edging together once proper fit has been determined.


9. Adjust the measurement on your pencil compass to the measurement of your head plus 3 inches.


10. Use the compass to draw two circles on the poster board.


11. Cut out the two circles from the poster board.


12. Adjust the pencil compass to the size of your head measurement.


13. Use the compass to draw a smaller circle in the center onto the center of both the cut out circles.


14. Place one of your circles on your workspace and use a box cutter to cut out 1 inch tabs between the two drawn circles.


15. Bend the tabs on the circle and slide into the top of the poster board crown. The circle should snugly fit into the crown.


16. Remove the tabbed circle from the crown.


17. Place a few drops of glue on the inside edge of the crown. Slide the tabbed circle back into the crown and press the tabs into the glue.


18. Place the second cutout circle onto your work surface.


19. Cut 1-inch tabs from the edge of the inner circle to the outer circle. Bend the tabs of the circle inward and slide into the bottom of the top hat crown to check the fit.


20. Remove the circle and place drops of glue onto the inside edges of the crown.


21. Slide the tabbed circle into place and press the tabs into the glue.


22. Try on the finished top hat to check the final fit.