I purchased a Silly Billy Top Hat several years ago -- one of the cartoonish, oversized ones. I've always loved using it in my library kid shows. I haven't handled it in about a year -- it's just been sitting atop a shelf with a cardboard tube in it to help it retain its shape. Earlier this evening I retrieved it for a show I'm doing in the morning and it seemed floppier than I remembered. In the process of examining it, I realized that the inner foam and outer cloth material has disintegrated -- badly. Much of the gray lining is like dust, the hat and brim are unable to hold their shape, and the whole thing is leaking pieces everywhere. Is this to be expected after a few years? Has anyone else experienced this??

The same thing happened to me. I only had the hat as a gag, covering the kid's eyes when placed on an audience volunteer. Luckily, this is the time of the year to find a better, more durable replacement. Halloween shops will have formed rayon hats that are meant for adults. The hat will still be too big for the kid, covering their eyes when placed on their head. It won't degrade over time, like a foam hat will.

Thanks, Alan - I feel a little better now. And the idea of shopping for one at a Halloween supply store is a great tip!

Interesting, I have had mine for many years and have used it in many shows and it's still the same as the day I bought it.

Same. I bought 2, one for a back up, and neither have had the issue mentioned above.

Mine also deteriorated and bits were coming off of the lining and foam. I had to throw it away

He's a good guy reach out to him and he'll help you out

I wonder if it is a weather problem. Back in Texas I never had problems with props disintegrating, but after emigrating to the Philippines I have had numerous props fall apart. Foam is short lived. Anything glued (like felt on a closeup pad) came apart. Rubber items (balloons, rubber bands, coin thru rubber) all get brittle and snap. The temperature here is always 85 F (30C) and 85% humidity. Welcome to the jungle...

I ended up making my own giant hat. I bought a piece of felt for a dollar and sewed a giant top hat. Cute hat, probably not amazingly sturdy, but only a dollar. ????

Mine disintegrated as well, after owning it for about a year