Regency Fashion: The Kent

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THE KENT A very gentlemanly Hat and although there is not the dignity of the Regent about it there is notwith standing much to admire Indeed the scale of propor tions are very similar in both the only real difference existing in the crown which is about one half of an inch lower than the latter and in the nautical phraseology may not inaptly be termed a Regent cut down It is very singular and worth remarking that trifling as the Kent differs from the Regent in actual measurement the contrariety of effect when on the head is great and striking which unquestionably proves that a very slight deviation from a given rule will produce results more opposed to each other than the deviation is to the rule itself The style in which this Hat should be worn is as follows if the head be of an oval form place it thereon as near as possible in an horizontal position but if a round head which of all descriptions is most dreaded by a castermonger let the Hat be thrown a little back with a slight inclination on the side most agreeable which will tend to prevent its assuming that trencher like ap pearance too common from such causes The personal requisites suitable to the Kent may be found on referring to the Cobourg with this difference that as the brim is of larger dimensions the wearer if he pleases may be six feet high

Lloyd’s Treatise on hats (1819)

This is part of a series on Gentleman’s Hats:

Regency Fashion: Gentlemen’s Hats

Regency Fashion: The John Bull Top Hat 

Regency Fashion: The Wellington Top Hat 

Regency Fashion: The Tandem Hat 

Regency Fashion: The Tally-Ho Hat 

Regency Fashion: The Shallow

Regency Fashion: The Coburg 

Regency Fashion: The Marquis 

Regency Fashion: The Eccentric

Regency Fashion: The Regency 

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One Response to Regency Fashion: The Kent

  1. Nancy Mayer says:
    February 20, 2024 at 5:49 pm

    Probably named for the Duke of Kent who married around 1818 , had a daughter in May 1819. The first legitimate royal child in some time.