Winston Churchill’s use of a distinctive bowler hat, known as the Cambridge bowler, played a notable role in shaping his public image during his political career. This particular style of hat, characterized by a higher crown than the traditional bowler, stood out in an era when bowler hats were less common as political accessories.

The Cambridge bowler, originally crafted in 1865 by London’s Lock & Co Hatters for the Duke of Cambridge, was designed to blend features of the top hat with the conventional bowler shape. Churchill purchased his bowler from Lock & Co in 1919, adopting it as a signature element of his attire that conveyed both tradition and individuality.

Unlike typical bowlers, the Cambridge bowler’s taller crown drew more visual attention, an attribute that aligned with Churchill’s approach to leadership and public presence. The hat later gained cultural recognition beyond politics, notably featuring in the film “Goldfinger” (1964), where it was worn by the character Oddjob.

Today, Lock & Co, the world’s oldest hat shop located in St James’s, continues to offer the Cambridge bowler, although prices are provided upon request due to its bespoke nature. The hat remains emblematic of Churchill’s unique style and serves as a historical symbol of his era’s fashion and political personality.