Regency Fashion: The Jolliffe

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THE JOLLIFFE A mind which is struck through the medium of sight with impressions of sublimity will have those impressions strengthened in proportion as the magnitude of the ob ject viewed is the greater and as all things are but great or small comparatively it follows of course that bodies of the same class description or affinity which are less than the largest must suffer when brought into the scale of comparison with their superiors agreeably to these rules the JOLLIFFE whose dimensions exceed all others comes forward with strong claims to patron age for besides the importance with which it never fails to strike every beholder it is sure to convey a corre sponding importance to the wEARER Here then are considerations which should not be trifled with par ticularly as the assumption of a thing is often taken for the thing itself nay are there not situations in life where appearances become so vitally important that it would be little short of criminality not to put them on and where the attainment of great ends may be insured by nothing more than a simple attention to the formation of a Hat it would be worse than folly to neglect the means Rightly taken what a multiplicity of persons might be benefitted by the above hints Princes Peers and Plenipotentiaries Senators State ministers or Trading Politicians all all may find their interest in the adoption of the Jolliffe and that these great personages may not plead ignorance as to the manner in which it should be worn with the best effect here follow the proper instructions
If a PRINCE let it be lightly placed on the head and a little aside which bespeaks a sort of cheerful ap proving confidence in one's own actions If a PEer it should be worn in a firm horizontal position just cover ing half the forehead which gives the appearance of a wise and steady determination where great questions are agitated particularly when they become self interest ing If an AMBASSADOR it may be thrown a little back inclining somewhat aside such position indicating a bold and careless indifference to all around which will be taken for granted that such could not arise from any other cause than a total disregard for the result of his mission a practice although not often hit on may have many advantages As to the three latter characters their pursuits having all the same end POPULARITY let them consult the style of the Prince and remember that in whomsoever confidence has credit popularity is sure to follow As the Jolliffe is not likely to be worn unless for special purposes to give an idea who would best become it is unnecessary 18
Lloyd’s Treatise on hats (1819)

William Joliffe was a politician who served in the Parliament until 1802, at his death when he fell through a trapdoor into a cellar at his home.  He was a popular entertainer and host whose home on King Street would later be turned into the Argyll Rooms.

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 

Regency Fashion: The Kent

Regency Fashion: The Cumberland

Regency Fashion: The Vis-A-Vis

Regency Fashion: The Petersham

Regency Fashion: The Bang Up

Regency Fashion: The Clericus

Regency Fashion: The Bon-Ton

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