Hatsinthebelfry

What is your cap style?

The classic style of the flat cap is very popular this season, so it is no surprise that you see leading men from all genres sporting one out this fall.  These hats go by many names, ivy cap, driving cap, pub cab and others.  The basics are the same, but the styles can be very different, classic styles in classic colors, throwbacks to the traditional English ivy cap and new trendy fashions.  You have to ask yourself, what is your cap style?

Is it classic black?  Black does go with everything especially with more black, like Brad was spotted wearing in Budapest this month.  The black cap and scarf elevated his casual look and really makes the difference with his causal t-shirt and jeans.  But as always, he never looks like he is trying too hard.

Is it traditional ivy cap?  Funny man, Dax Shepard tops off his look with a very classic English ivy cap.  The brown plaid compliments a casual look or spruces up a dress shirt with skinny tie.  If you are a guy who isn’t afraid to show off your style, this look is for you. 

Is it casual grey wool?  Kellan Lutz, actor in the hit Twilight movies, is featured in all the grocery checkout aisle magazines since the success of the vampire flicks.  His classic style is a flat cap with a leather jacket.  The basic grey cap goes with a brown motorcycle jacket as well as with a black pea coat.

Is it fashionable plaid?  Hip hop artist, Talib Kweli, makes a statement with his brown plaid ivy cap.  Still a very classic style, his look is elevated when his hat is the focal point of his ensemble.  This proves that you don’t have to match prints exactly to what you are wearing.  A great hat can stand alone.

No matter which style you choose, a classic cap will certainly make your look stand out this fall.

Halloween Party Contest!!!

This is the time of year that people host some very creative parties and we want to hear about yours!  Are you hosting a themed Halloween Party this year?  Are you having friends dressing up as Gangsters and Girls, Thriller characters or Old Hollywood, perhaps?  We are strong believers that a hat will complete your Halloween costume, so this year, Hats In the Belfry is hosting our first ever Halloween Party Contest! 

Belfry Topper

How to Enter: Tell us your best idea for a themed party with the details like food, decorations, costume requirements, etc.  Get creative and as detailed as possible.  Email your submissions to hats@hatsinthebelfry.com and include “Halloween Party Contest” in the header.

The Prize: The person with the best theme idea will win a party pack of 8 Belfry Brand hats for free!

Belfry Bowler

Submissions must be received by Friday, October 22, 11:00!

Check out our facebook page for additional details and have a Happy Halloween!

Hat Trends for Fall 2010

Fall is in full swing and it is out with the straw and in with…just about everything but straw.  The season change is my favorite time of year and as the new season of hats hit the shelves it is time to define your fall style. 

The fashion industry works months ahead, so it is sometimes fun to take a look back at the runways and see what styles made it to market.  This Fall Season, hats were all over Fashion Week in NYC and other major fashion cities.  And many designers had one trend in common, women in men styles.  From fedoras to bowlers, women are donning classic men’s hat styles for every type of occasion. 

You have the fedora as an accent to evening wear like seen in the Valvo show.

Carmen Marc Valvo

Women in bowlers (and leather) in the Hermes show.

Hermes

Women in Westerns with party dresses (and black socks) at Marc Jacobs.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Big Brim Classic Styles in Carolina Herrera.

Carolina Herrera

Lucky for us, Hats in the Belfry is ahead of the curve with this season’s styles.  We’ve been carrying bowlers since we opened our doors.  And for the last few seasons, our women’s styles have been inspired by the classic fedora, but still wearable with the highest of fashion statements.  I like the mix of masculine and feminine in this season’s styles.  

What is your favorite style this fall?

Signature Style - Samuel L Jackson

I am so impressed by how much Samuel L. Jackson and the Kangol hat, are one in the same to many many customers.  You know what I’m talking about, that backwards Kangol hat that Samuel L. is famous for.  To give you a little history, Samuel L. Jackson started wearing a Kangol in the nineties and the same style hat is still popular today.  That in and of itself is an amazing feat.  He continues to be photographed in all different styles of Kangols on the red carpet even after Snakes on a Plane. 

Kangol 504 Wool Ivy Cap

On a regular basis people come in to the shop asking for the Samuel L Jackson hat.  We know that they really mean to ask for the Kangol Classic 504 Ivy Cap with a white embroidered Kangaroo on the back.  I know this might sound like crazy talk, but companies other than Kangol make a driving cap like the one that he wears.  And, hold on while I blow your minds even more, Kangol makes other styles of hats than just the driving caps!  And you will never believe this one, Kangol is a British company, not Australian. 

Have I lost you?  Maybe a picture of Sammie will bring you back.

Photo Credit

What is the point of my rambling, you ask?  I’m not really trying to make any point.  I just want people to know that they have options.  I had a customer in the store that was set on getting a Samuel L. Jackson hat, but the classic Kangol just did not look good on him.  I think the words he used were, “it looks like a navy blue dinner plate sitting on my head.”  We tried on a couple of different styles and discovered that the Goorin Bros. Alpert and Iam Reed were a much better fit for his narrow face.  Unfortunately, he was a pretty conservative guy and really had his heart set on a solid color.

Goorin Iam Reed

We tried the Belfry Biltmore, which comes in solid black and is a similar shape to the Goorin Bros. caps.  It has a nice rounded front and doesn’t poof out on the sides.  The fabric wasn’t his favorite as it has just a little sheen to it. 

Belfy Biltmore

As we worked our way through the stacks we came upon the Belfry Kent, which has a side-seems that pull the hat closer to the head on the sides.  This was his perfect hat!  Basic black and a classic style.

Belfry Kent

The moral of this story is, keep an open mind when looking for your perfect hat.   Try something new and you just might end up with your own classic style, just like Samuel L.

Shannon