A homburg is a felt hat, a Tyrolean hat-style fedora, characterized by a single dent running down the center of the crown (called a "gutter crown") and a stiff brim shaped in a "kettle curl". The Homburg is a stiff, formal felt hat.
The Homburg is made from wool felt or fur felt and has a grosgrain hatband and brim treatment and, as with all fine hats, may include a decorative feather. These qualities make the Homburg an ideal alternative to the top hat for black tie and white tie formal wear. The original Homburg was of slightly more generous proportions than the modern version.[1]
It was popularized by Edward VII after he visited Bad Homburg in Hesse, Germany, and brought back a hat of this style.[2] King Edward VII was a clotheshorse, exacting and expert in all sartorial matters. He was therefore flattered when his hat style was copied; at times he insisted on being copied.[3]
The homburg was once quite common among well dressed gentlemen, and is still available in almost any color. The most common colors are black, white (for weddings), grey, tawny and brown. In 1930's Britain, a black homburg became widely known as an "Anthony Eden" after the government minister of that name.
Al Pacino gained some renewed fame for the Homburg by wearing one in the film "The Godfather". This resulted in the hat being dubbed "The Godfather".[4]