Opera hat

An opera hat, also known as a chapeau bras (French for "arm hat") or a crush hat, is a type of folding top hat. It is typically made of black silk or felt and features a mechanism allowing it to be folded flat for convenient storage or carrying, particularly under the arm. This feature made it popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially for gentlemen attending formal events such as the opera, theatre, and balls, where space was often limited. The hat's collapsible nature prevented the need for a separate cloakroom or bulky storage solution. The mechanism usually involves internal springs and levers that allow the hat to be easily opened and closed. While primarily a men's accessory, opera hats represented elegance and formality during their period of popularity. They are now relatively rare, primarily seen in historical reenactments or as collectors' items. The operation of the folding mechanism required practice to execute smoothly and discreetly.