Hatsinthebelfry

Beat The Heat In The Dog Days Of Summer!

Summer is in full swing, as I’m sure you can feel. Temperatures this summer have been record breaking in some parts of the country and here on the east coast, we have felt the sun in full force. Most of us need to be reminded about sun safety. Are you being smart? It’s no mystery as to why millions of Americans are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer every year. Yeah, we have all seen the commercials and magazines with all the sun-kissed looks that are trendy this summer, but at what risk? What’s even trendier is rockin’ your natural healthy glow with some fashionable accessories that help you beat the heat.

According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, the average human only needs to spend approximately 5 to 30 minutes, twice a week in the sun to get the proper amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to the body because it helps absorb calcium, which in turn makes for stronger bones. In the summer months most people spend hours at a time in the sun on a daily basis. Some for a fun day at the beach, and others might have a job that requires them to work outside. The fact is that Americans, as a whole, get too much sun exposure and if you don’t know by now, too much sun causes premature aging and heightens the risk for developing skin cancer down the road. I know this all sounds a bit scary and the thought of wrinkles just puts a damper on things, but don’t sweat it, there are some fun and easy ways to beat the heat!!!

Sunscreen is not just for the beach people! It’s a great habit to always apply sunscreen on a regular basis. Even on a cloudy day you can still get burned. You never know when you might get caught in the summer sun! Try to use at least SPF 30, especially if you are fair skinned. Umbrellas are a great way to beat the heat as well, providing us with some much needed shade (and some of them can be pretty cute). Whether you’re at the beach where there is no escape from the sun, or walking around town window shopping; a large umbrella could really come in handy.

Sunscreen and umbrellas are all good, but hello…it’s summer time! Summer is a time to have fun, let loose and express yourself and your sense of style. What better way to do that than with some fabulous summer hats. We are all about beating the heat with style! We recommend our

Protection Collection for the most protection from the sun’s rays, blocking up to 50 UPF (which is equivalent to 50 SPF in a lotion). We have a variety of styles, colors and brim sizes, and most of them pack right up, making them super easy to take with you where ever you may go this summer. So ladies, did you just buy the perfect swimsuit for a weekend at the lake? Well why not dress is up with a fashionable sun hat that provides you with enough protection and shade, making the sun’s rays the least of your worries. Same goes for you gentlemen! Going golfing with the boys?? You need some stylish protection too. Have fun this summer without worrying about the heat! Protect yourself with style!

No more excuses because of the sun. Beat the heat this summer and every summer the smart, stylish and fun way. Have fun and be trendy without the risk of sun expose. Beat the heat with style!!!

- Ashley

Panama Hats: From Their Hands To Your Heads!

Panama hats are one of the oldest, most classic fashion accessories, made famous by men such as Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. There is an essence of superior quality that is embedded in these hand woven hats. At first glance, appearing as linen or silk, the master weavers of Ecuador have made their living one weave at a time. So how did these legendary hats make it from an outpost just south of the equator to the windows of NYC, and why do some pay thousands of dollars for just one hat? Maybe you would like to know why they are called panama hats, when in fact they are and always have been made in Ecuador by Ecuadorians!

Let’s go back to the mid 1800’s, when the Ecuadorians first started to export their hats. They exported their hats through the Isthmus of Panama. There they were sold and made their way to various places around the world. During the Spanish American War in 1898, the U.S. purchased 50,000 hats for the troops from merchants in Panama, which is thought to be one way the hats got their name. However, during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20’s, these hats were given to the workers to protect them from the sun. You can understand now why these hats were thought to be from Panama.

The long road to the New York City shops (and of course to Hats in the Belfry) all starts in a coastal village in Ecuador known as Cadeate. There are five days in every lunar cycle where Ecuadorians harvest toquilla straw (carludovica palmate), which is the straw that goes into creating the wonderful hats. These palm-like, 5-10ft tall, wild plants are scheduled for harvest five days after the moon reached its waning quarter. The reason for this is because at that time the straw holds less moisture, making it lighter, easier to cut and more pliable to weave. The Village Council requires 1,200 stalks to be harvested per family each day during the five day cycle. From there mules and trucks transport the stalks to a place where the straw can be separated into strands. The outer sheath of each stalk it stripped off and not used in the making of the hats. The inner fingers of the stalks are split into dozens of yard long ribbon-like strands and are still attached to the leaf stem. After the proper preparation the stalks then go into a vat of boiling water for one hour and then are hung out to dry.

Once the straw is dry, it’s ready to be woven by a master weaver. Two generations ago there were approximately 2000 master weavers. However, today there are only approximately 20 master weavers. The weave is very specific and if you know what you’re looking for you can pick out an authentic panama weave. The easiest way to tell is by looking at the top of the hat. It should always be woven in a circular pattern and usually somewhere on the inside of the hat you may see the official Ecuador stamp. The edges of a high quality panama hats are always woven back into the brim, never trimmed and then sewn like lesser quality panama hats.

Once the Weave is complete, the straw for the hats is then washed and pummeled. This process provides regularity, flexibility and suppleness to the straw. The sides and the crown of the hat are then beaten to even out the straw even further (another art unto itself). Once that’s finished, the straw can be dyed various colors, if chosen, or bleached or left its natural color. The most common colors of panama hats are natural or bleach white. Once the color of the straw is decided, it’s blocking and ironing time. Not all Panama Hats are ironed and blocked in Ecuador anymore in this modern day age. For instance, a hats company can order the woven panama straw and then perform the ironing and blocking process themselves. This saves money for many companies and also saves master Ecuadorian weavers lots of time. The ironing process removes undulation in the straw. Hand blocking is then done with steam and an iron or a steam press to produce many familiar styles such as gambler and planters.

The process of making a Panama hat can take 2-3 months to complete depending on the artisan weaver. Each hat is weaved and blocked by a single artisan. Of course there are different levels of quality of panama hats. In Ecuador there are two main places that produce panama hats. The city of Montecristi is where the highest quality hats are made, known as “superfinos”. What that means is that these hats will have up to 1600-2000 weaves per square inch and should be able to hold water as well as pack up enough to be able to fit through a wedding band. Those are the Panama hats that cost thousands of dollars. The other city in Ecuador is Cuenca. This city produces a more economical alternative, producing hats with 100 or fewer weaves per square inch, making it possible for everyone to own their very own Panama hat.

From the fields of Cadeate, up through the Panama Canal, to the windows of NYC and the shelves of Hats in the Belfry, to the heads of the most fashionable, Panama Hats are classic and are some of the most beautifully hand crafted products created in the world. Unfortunately, some fear that the Ecuadorian Panama Hat industries will only continue for the next 15-20 years due to cheap imitation from china. So don’t be fooled, and don’t except anything but true quality in your Panama hat.

- Ashley

It’s Apples and Oranges, Right?

We’ve all been in a mall at SOME point in our lives, right? The majority of us have probably been in some mall within the past two weeks. Some of us may have been in a mall as recently as yesterday. It has become the staple of American society, and as the list of items to be consumed grows, and the number of retailers happy to help you consume them balloons, we’re often left in a vexing position.

Let’s say you walk into Nordstrom and you’re leafing through a rack of Rock Republic jeans, none of which are under $175. Sure they look good, yeah they feel great, and they have a recognizable name, but is it enough to convince you to buy them? You decide to think about it, and do a little more shopping. You walk into Macy’s, and find some jeans that have some design on the back pockets, they look pretty good, and they feel alright. Best of all, they’re only $40.

Seems like a steal, right? One would suppose, except that you really don’t know why one is $135 more than the other, or at least most of us don’t. I’m sure Rock Republic would be more than happy to sell you on their jeans, as would the less expensive jean company, but often times that information isn’t immediately available when you are ready to make your purchase. So you make your decision based on other factors (economic, your personal style, affinity for brand names, etc.).

How are you
supposed to know the difference between style and value?

There lies the puzzle that we’re left to figure out. We as the consumer (and though I have a retailer perspective, my everyday life makes me a consumer) are constantly bombarded with a variety of styles, colors, materials, and perhaps most importantly, prices, yet we have little knowledge as to why things cost what they do.

This has become an interesting puzzle for the retailer as well, especially when you see a boom in your particular industry. Hats became a bigger part of everyday fashion a little over a year ago. Now every clothing retailer that is anybody has hats as a part of their “look”, from Express to Banana Republic, to even Target. Hell, you can walk into Walmart and probably find a $10 fedora.

With all of the options out there, who’s job is it to educate the consumer? Perhaps more importantly, does the consumer even care? I suppose it depends on who the consumer is, and what they’re looking for. Still, somewhere along the line, many of us will be in a position debate between a $40 item and a $150 item. Do we have the right information to make the best decision?

- James

In the Industry: What new trends will emerge from this year’s Derby series?

The Jewel Of The Triple Crown Is Among Us!

Derby Season is just around the corner, bringing with it the most prestigious horse race in the world, The Kentucky Derby. Ladies and Gentleman, you know what this means. It’s time to find that perfect Derby hat for this exciting tradition, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. Held on the first Saturday in May, the first race of the Triple Crown is by far the most fashionable of the three.

It is truly an honor to go to the Kentucky Derby. From celebrities to the Royal Family, even your next door neighbor, the Derby welcomes everyone for a once in a life time experience. There are traditional Kentucky Derby fashion rules that one should follow if you’re planning on fitting in and making the most of the experience. Whether you’re planning on sitting in the clubhouse, paddock or infield, a hat is in order. Along with that great looking hat, the men should be dressed in suits and tuxedos with a splash of bright color on the tie. Women should be dressed in spring dresses or skirts that are bright in nature, and a fabulous hat that brings the look together.

From top milliners such as Christine A. Moore and Marsha Makins, as well as our Belfry Brand Purple Label, you’re sure to find a hat to fit the Derby’s grandeur. While the Kentucky Derby is in fact a horse race, it is also an iconic event in the fashion world. The fashions you will see are timeless, chic and breathtaking. It’s a time for milliners and hat makers to shine. So much hard work goes into creating such gorgeous unique hats just for this one event. The Preakness and Belmont stakes are also big events for the milliners of the world. However, none of them seem to touch the status of the Run for the Rose! As for the lucky ones wearing the beautifully designed hats, they get to shine as well.

150,000 enthusiastic people, well dressed from HAT to toe, gather for this annual event. Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or this is your first time, be sure to make the most of it, because the Kentucky Derby is a tradition that will continue on and will always be history in the making for horse racing and FASHION!

- Ashley

When The Sum Is Equal To Its Parts

One of the best parts about the fashion industry is the ability to turn your ideas into a finished product, and being involved every step of the way. We worked very closely with esteemed designer Marsha Makins to put together a line of hats that not only look good and feel great, but tell a story of a long history in headwear. Each piece in the collection was carefully designed to embody style and fashion that perfectly blends tradition with contemporary attitude. Each part of the hat was well-thought out, and had to fit the mold of the collection we were trying to create.

We knew only the finest bodies would do, so we decided that we had to be working with only the highest quality straw that didn’t require you (or us for that matter) to take out a 2^nd mortgage on our homes to pay for it. Any good straw hat collection needs at least one or two Panamas in them. This hand woven straw is not only high quality, but has a smoother look and feel than most other straws. For the rest, we used some extremely light weight sisal, an agave grown in the Caribbean that yields naturally sturdy fibers. Sisal hats are so light and comfortable that you may forget you have a hat on your head (until someone compliments you on it, of course).

Makins has some of the most beautiful antique hat blocks around, able to create some true masterpieces in headwear. Using these blocks that were decades old, we were able to create some classic fedora shapes that you won’t see in most neighborhood hat shops. Some you may not see ANYWHERE else, because we made the crowns and brims separately, then combined for truly one of a kind looks. These fedoras had us waxing nostalgic about a world none of us have scene in our life-time, but hope to one day get back to. A time when a man never left the house without a fedora!

We asked for vintage suiting material to make bands that reflected the style of the times. Through thousands of yards of different silks, German grosgrains, and satins (some from old suit linings), we picked out some beautifully dyed bands that were over 50 years old. The more vintage appeal we could give each fedora, the better!

The result? A grouping of fedoras that can be best described as a throwback to the classics, while at the same time, blending modern thought. Truly our most imaginative branded collection to date, our Makins Vintage Derby Collection is a prime example of our commitment to delivering radically unique fashion.

- James

Putting Style Back Into Your Sunday Best!

Remember when dressing in your Sunday best actually meant something? A popular phrase that once pertained only to formal wear for church can now relate to window shopping downtown on a beautiful spring day, or going out to lunch with some of your closest friends and family. Whatever the phrase means to you, the long standing tradition of getting dressed up on Easter Sunday goes back centuries, to a time when people wore hats for many more reasons than just to look good!

The popular Easter Bonnet tradition coincides with the practice of wearing your best new clothes on Easter Sunday. Referenced in text as old as Romeo and Juliet, it was common practice to don your best and brightest in celebration of the spiritual harmony and renewal that Easter represents. It was even considered bad luck for anyone not to wear something new! Hats really came into the forefront of this tradition during the Great Depression, when owning a new hat or refurbished one was a sign of simple luxury during those difficult times.

The tradition still lives to this day, with women and young girls sporting beautiful spring time hats during Sunday services and Easter parades. Women’s Easter hats often range from a variety of different cloches, sun hats, and bonnets, all featuring colorfully bright adornments to announce the arrival of spring. Men’s hats aren’t left out of the tradition either, as it is common to see the head of the household in a classic straw fedora or safari. Now that
spring has finally sprung, enjoy your Easter Sunday while sporting your favorite brand new hat!

- James

Tradition vs. Innovation: Where Do They Meet?

Which Batman do you prefer: Adam West or Christian Bale? There’s something to be said about the cheesy sound effects, the suit that wasn’t very flattering, and the super villains that seemed more charming than diabolical. Maybe you prefer the chiseled, high technology suit, the business like demeanor, and the never-ending internal conflict of the present day Dark Knight. Whichever one you choose, is any answer really wrong?

It’s the endless debate, the internal struggle between tradition and innovation. Everything is meant to evolve, and things are constantly changing all around us. When we have the ability to mold these things, how do we balance the importance of keeping with traditional and creating things more suitable to our times? Short answer: I don’t know.

Hats have a history that dates back to our great grandfather’s great grandfather, and even before that. Look at the classic black fedora today versus 100 years ago. On the surface, it’s pretty much the same. Classic pinch front crown, 2 3/8” snap brim, and grosgrain hat band. It’s the subtleties that surprisingly spur on more debate than one may imagine. Traditional fedoras used to have grosgrain or leather sweatbands. Now we have manufacturing technology with fancy names like Dri-Lex Eco Friendly sweatbands, especially made to whisk away sweat and dirt from your forehead. To someone just getting into hats, that sounds much more appealing than a basic grosgrain sweat. To your grandfather, just unnecessary bells and whistles.

With buzz words like vintage, traditional, and classic being thrown around like rice at a wedding, where does that line get drawn?

Our Spring Belfry Purple Collection and Women’s Modern Vintage Collection try to blend a long history of hat style with some of today’s modern fashions. To us, vintage doesn’t have to mean boring, but in a niche that values tradition more than most, the marriage between tradition and innovation can sometimes be a rocky one.

- James

Ring in the New Year & Turn Our Poor Economy Around

It’s that time of year - we all sit down and think about a new year’s resolution. Many will look back at the year past and try to evaluate their character, and some simply take the “easy way out” by pledging to lose 25 pounds this year, which more times than not never seems to happen! But this year, my new year’s resolution is one I encourage the rest of you to take, too. I pledge to Save An American Job by buying American!

It’s an unfortunate reality that we’ve all seen and felt the effects of our struggling economy. Whether in cutbacks, layoffs, loss of wages or simple penny pinching. We search for the lowest priced products more now than ever. Is that really the best answer, though? Let’s take a look at this in relation to men’s hats. If I am only worried about the lowest priced item, I may select a hat that is made in China, but what does this do for American manufacturing?

By seeking the lowest priced hat, which in many cases are foreign made, you’ve contributed to the loss of 5,500,000 jobs since the beginning of 2001. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying foreign made products are bad, but at a time where we look to turn our economy around, we need to buy American to Save American Jobs!

Let’s go back to men’s hats - products like the Belfry Purple line of hats emphasize exceptional design, durability, and reliability, not to mention they’re made by American workers. Not only would wearing one of these Belfry Purple hats give you the sense of true style, it gives you the pride that you support American made products, in turn you’ve helped Save an American job.

This year, I encourage you to help restore the American Dream. Together we can see the positive effects of saving our US Manufacturing all while looking great in some classic American made hats!

-Katie

Looking for Change When You Hit a Mid-Life Crisis

You wake up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror when it finally hits you…those few gray hairs you have been in denial about for the last few months have multiplied and you realize that you’re getting old!

Reality really sets in when you take a look around the office and you finally notice that you don’t look nearly as young as you thought you did. That new, 20-something, fresh out of college hire comes in every day with his business casual attire and trendy fedora hat. The 30-somethings making coffee in the break-room top off their office dress with fresh pub caps…and you finally realize that you’ve been missing out.

The unfortunate reality is that most of us are in denial about how old we have gotten, but still feel young. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something about it! Check out the collection of men’s hats from Hats in the Belfry. No other hat store combines the perfect mixture of classic and trendy to give even the man experiencing the biggest mid-life crisis hope.

Hats used to be an accessory of the past, a symbol of status and something a OLD men never left the house without; but society has turned fedora hats and pub caps alike into fashion pieces that help us to feel young again without looking like we’re trying too hard.

Now there is no such thing as a “magic hat” that will instantly shave years off of your life, but trust me, a trendy spin on a classic men’s hat will have you out of that mid-life crisis in no time. Not to mention hide a few of those unwanted grays!

-Katie