Trilby, fedora, pork pie — three hats that get mixed up constantly, even by people who wear them. They share a family resemblance (a shaped crown, a proper brim, a band), but each one sits differently, suits different faces and sends a different message. Here’s the quick answer, then the full breakdown. 🎩
⚡ The 10-Second Answer
Fedora: the biggest of the three — a wide brim (usually 6cm+) and a tall crown pinched at the front with a lengthwise crease. The most formal and the most dramatic.
Trilby: the fedora’s compact cousin — a shorter brim that snaps down at the front and up at the back, with a lower, more angular crown. Sharper, more casual, easier to wear every day.
Pork pie: the odd one out — a flat, round crown with a distinctive circular ‘telescope’ crease and a short, even brim that usually sits up all the way round. The jazz musician’s hat.
📊 Trilby vs Fedora vs Pork Pie: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Fedora | Trilby | Pork Pie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brim width | Wide (6–8cm), flexible | Short (3–5cm), angled down at front | Short (3–4cm), flat and even |
| Crown shape | Tall, pinched front, centre crease | Lower, angular, pinched crown | Flat top with circular telescope crease |
| How it’s worn | Level or slightly tilted | Back of the head, brim snapped down at front | Level, sitting fairly high |
| Formality | Most formal of the three | Smart-casual sweet spot | Characterful, retro-smart |
| Best for | Weddings, races, winter tailoring | Everyday wear, travel, gigs | Festivals, summer events, standing out |
| Typical Hopoye price | From £24.99 | From £22.99 | From £9.99 |
🎧 The Fedora: The Statement-Maker
What is a fedora? A fedora is a soft-brimmed hat with a wide brim of around 6cm or more and a tall crown that’s creased down the centre and pinched at the front on both sides. The brim can be worn snapped down at the front, up all round, or left flat — that flexibility is part of its charm.
Of the three styles, the fedora is the most formal and the most forgiving on larger frames and longer faces. The wide brim balances broad shoulders and adds structure to an outfit, which is why it’s the go-to choice for weddings and race days as well as winter overcoats.
Browse the full Fedora Hat collection for fifteen colours of handmade 100% wool wide brims.
🎨 The Trilby: The Everyday Sharp One
What is a trilby? A trilby is a narrow-brimmed hat with a shorter, more sharply angled crown than a fedora. The brim — typically 3–5cm — is permanently snapped down at the front and turned up at the back, and the hat sits further back on the head. The name comes from the 1894 stage adaptation of George du Maurier’s novel Trilby, where the style first appeared.
Because the brim is short and the silhouette compact, a trilby is far easier to wear casually than a fedora: it works with a denim jacket as happily as a blazer, doesn’t catch the wind, and packs down small. If you want one hat that covers commuting, weekends and the odd smart occasion, this is it.
Handmade Wool Trilby Hat — £22.99
100% wool felt, finished by hand with a grosgrain band. It’s crushable — roll it into a weekend bag and it springs back into shape — and showerproof, which matters rather a lot in Britain. Ten colours, four sizes.
✔️ Crushable & travel-friendly ✔️ Water-resistant wool ✔️ Handmade finish
See every colour in the Trilby Hats collection.
🥑 The Pork Pie: The Character Hat
What is a pork pie hat? A pork pie hat has a low, flat-topped crown with a circular ‘telescope’ crease running around the top edge — the shape that gives it its name, after the raised British pie. The brim is short and even, usually worn turned up all the way round or gently snapped at the front.
It’s the most distinctive silhouette of the three — think Buster Keaton, 1950s jazz clubs and, more recently, a certain chemistry teacher. Worn level and high on the head, it reads confident and a little playful, which makes it brilliant for festivals, summer socials and anyone whose style leans retro.
Both live in the Pork Pie Hat collection — the lightweight one for summer, the wool one for the colder months.
🤔 Which One Should You Choose?
Choose a fedora if: you want maximum presence — for a wedding, the races or winter tailoring — or you have a longer or larger face that a wide brim will balance beautifully.
Choose a trilby if: you want one versatile hat for everyday wear. It suits oval, round and heart-shaped faces, travels well (especially a crushable wool one) and never feels like too much.
Choose a pork pie if: you want character. It flatters angular and oval faces, pairs brilliantly with summer outfits, and at £9.99 for the lightweight version it’s the easiest way to try the brimmed-hat look.
Not sure what flatters you? Our face shape guide covers all six face shapes, and the hat size guide will get your measurement right first time. All three styles are also part of our Wool Collection if pure wool is what you’re after.
❓ Trilby, Fedora & Pork Pie FAQs
Is a trilby the same as a fedora?
No. A trilby has a shorter brim (3–5cm) that’s fixed down at the front and up at the back, and a lower, more angular crown. A fedora has a wider brim (6cm+) and a taller crown with a centre crease and front pinch. The trilby is essentially the fedora’s slimmer, more casual cousin.
What is the difference between a pork pie hat and a trilby?
The crown. A pork pie has a completely flat top with a circular telescope crease around the edge; a trilby’s crown is creased down the middle and pinched at the front. Pork pie brims also tend to sit up evenly all round, whereas a trilby’s snaps down at the front.
Are trilby hats in fashion in 2026?
Yes — short-brim wool trilbies remain a UK staple, especially in neutral tones for autumn and winter and lightweight versions for summer events. Because the shape is classic rather than trend-led, a good wool trilby doesn’t date.
Can women wear fedoras, trilbies and pork pie hats?
Absolutely — all three are unisex. Our wool fedoras and trilbies run from XS to XL precisely so the fit works whatever your head size; it’s the proportion of brim to face that matters, not gender.
Which is more formal, a fedora or a trilby?
The fedora. Its wider brim and taller crown pair naturally with tailoring, overcoats and formal occasions like weddings and race days. A trilby reads smart-casual — ideal day-to-day, slightly less imposing dressed up.
What should I look for in a quality hat?
100% wool felt (it holds shape, resists light rain and lasts for years), a proper grosgrain or matching band, and a hand-finished brim edge. If you travel, a crushable construction is worth its weight in gold.
🎩 Find Your Hat at Hopoye
Handmade wool fedoras from £24.99, crushable trilbies from £22.99 and classic pork pies from just £9.99 — all with UK sizing and fast delivery.
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