Why the Top hat?
In order to raise their status in the community, it is said that the sweeps would get cast-offs from the local funeral director. These clothes consisted of a black top hat, and a coat with tails, which was very fashionable for the times. The outfit was always a very practical black in color, and gave an air of distinction to a dirty, though necessary, job. Chimney sweeps often served double duty as the town's "night man", whose job it was to clean out the privy. It is said that chimney sweeps wore slippers because they could be more easily removed, freeing the toes to aid their climbing grip.
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