I purchased this hat because I needed a top hat for a one-time costume event. It was the least expensive, and since I only planned on wearing it for a few hours, it seemed fine.  It was not however - the hat does pop up, but did not stay entirely up - the joints, failing to fully extend, poked into the side of my head. I finally forced them to stand straight by bending them a little, but then the hat was not straight up, it leaned at an angle from the brim.  For the short time I wore it as part of a costume I survived, but I would but another top hat should I need one instead of wearing this one again.