Opera hat Opera hat An opera hat, also called a chapeau claque or gibus, is a top hat variant that is collapsible through a spring system, originally intended for less spacious venues, such as theatre and opera visits. Typically made of satin in black colour, its advantage is that it folds vertically through a push or a snap on the top of the hat, in order to be conveniently stored in a wardrobe or under the seat. Invertably, it opens in the same one moment fashion by an easy push from underneath. Its French name "chapeau claque" is a composition of "chapeau",
Chapeau d'Espagne over long distances in the north of England. At stud, Doctor Syntax was best known as the sire of the outstanding racemare Beeswing. According to the "New Sporting Magazine" Chapeau d'Espagne's name was pronounced Chapeau Despag-ny, by the "jockey boys". Chapeau d'Espagne raced five times as a two-year-old in 1836, winning twice. She made her first appearance at Goodwood Racecourse on 29 July when she finished third of the four runners in the Molecomb Stakes. She did not appear again until the autumn, when she ran four times at Newmarket. At the Second October meeting she finished second, beaten a