Hatsinthebelfry

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

Trend-Setters Say Good Bye to Rainy Day Blues

Is it just me or has this summer been washed away with the number of rainy days and stormy nights? Whether you’re in the Northeast, South, or even Midwest, the one constant is the amount of rain we’ve seen this summer.

But there’s a positive to this summer’s wet weather. It lets us embraced our inner fashionista! Whether you want to dress up a drab trench coat or simply protect your hair, rain hats are the way to go when Mother Nature throws us a curve ball.

Recent runway show features a number of great looks topped off with stylish bucket hats to keep you fresh and chic as you step out in the rain.

Get this runway look for less with the Helen Kaminski Cotton Crusher Hat only $75.00 from Hats in the Belfry

Here’s another rainy day style tip - COLOR! While many get lost in the blues of rainy weather, I encourage you to add a splash of color to help brighten cloudy days. I guarantee you’ll feel better about yourself by simply adding a spice of color to lighten the dreary mood.

Add a touch of sunshine to your fashionable outfit with San Diego’s Cotton Floral Bonnet, only $39.00 from Hats in the Belfry

Men’s Classics Live Forever

Let’s go back to the classics for men’s rainy day attire. And who better to show us the perfect rainy day fashion than Gene Kelly. As a true Hollywood icon, we turn to Singin’ in the Rain to give us a classic style for your rainy day blues.

Take home a classic with Bailey’s Dalton Canvas Rain Hat - Available from Hats in the Belfry for a mere $40.00

And for a modern spin on an original classic, Kangol has perfected classic men’s hats with a trendy spin. I suggest the Kangol Coinston Rain Proof Ivy as the ultimate in stylish rain protection hats.

-Katie