15/06/2026
π© HATS OFF TO THOMAS & WILLIAM
The bowler hat is a familiar sight at Orange parades, particularly on the Twelfth in Northern Ireland, but have you ever wondered where it came from?
First created in 1849 by London hat makers Thomas and William Bowler, the hat was designed to protect gamekeepers from low-hanging branches and stay firmly on the wearer's head. More than 175 years later, it remains one of the most recognisable items associated with Orange culture.
From Victorian Britain and the American Wild West to the streets of Belfast each 12th July, the bowler hat has a remarkable history.
Read more in this week's article as we look at the origins of an enduring parade tradition. π
https://www.orangeorderscotland.com/post/the-bowler-hat