On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Hat worn by Charlie Chaplin

Hat
1914-36 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (makers)
Place of origin
United States (made)

Hat worn by Charlie Chaplin as 'The Little Tramp'.

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Object details

Categories
Entertainment & Leisure
Film and Cinema
Hats & Headwear
Object type
Hat
TitleHat worn by Charlie Chaplin (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wool, silk and leather
Felt
Silk (Textile)
Leather
Brief description
Hat worn by Charlie Chaplin as 'The Little Tramp'
Physical description
Bowler hat with hat band.
Gallery label
(2024)
Displayed with cane (S.536-2018):
Charlie Chaplin first appeared on screen as 'the Little Tramp' in 1914, in a short film called Kid Auto Races at Venice. The Tramp became Chaplin's defining role and featured in sixty films. He was rarely seen without his trademark bowler hat and walking cane, which have become two of the most famous props in cinema history.
(07/03/2022)
Hat worn by Charlie Chaplin as 'The Little Tramp' (displayed with cane (S.536-2018) and costume worn by Robert Downey Jr. (S.1680:1 to 5, 7, 9, 10-2015)):

Charlie Chaplin first appeared on screen as ‘the Little Tramp’ in 1914. His bowler hat, suit and cane is one of the most famous ensembles in cinema. For the 1992 biopic, Robert Downey Jr.’s outfit was inspired by Chaplin’s original description: ‘boots to be worn on the wrong feet, the jacket and hat to be too small and the trousers to be too large’. To prepare for the role, Downey Jr. spent a year studying Chaplin’s films and mastered his every movement, from the characteristic walk with turned-out feet to playing the violin.

Summary
Hat worn by Charlie Chaplin as 'The Little Tramp'.
Collection
Theatre and Performance Collection
Accession number
S.535-2018

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Record createdOctober 17, 2018
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1462800/hat-worn-by-charlie-chaplin-hat-unknown/
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