Hatsinthebelfry

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?

Hot or Not - How do you know for sure?

As we start to get a little older (and by a little older I mean anyone who is not still in high school) it can be difficult to always know what is “in”.  I like to think of myself as a trendy kind of gal, but I like many, don’t always have time to keep up with the joneses.  I have, however, devised a fail proof system to know what is in style at any given moment.  Do as the teenagers do.  Now, this doesn’t mean put on a mini-skirt and glitter nail polish.  This means watch what they go for and you will know what is hot right now.  I’m telling you it works.

Last weekend, I watched one after the other, Taylor Swift look-a-likes pick up a snap-brim fedora and model with kiss faces in the mirror.  Every girl between the ages of 14 and 21 was going for the exact same style hat.  Somebody who is somebody must have just worn one somewhere, because it was like clockwork. 

Just out of curiosity, when I got home, I googled “Celebs in hats” and wouldn’t you know Ashley, Lindsey, Paris and a sloe of others popped up in a snap brim.

Photo credit

Not only are the young socialite types in on this trend, but leading ladies like Eva Longoria, Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Aniston.

Photo Credit

Here are a couple of my favorite fedoras sure to be in style this season:

Belfry Charlie

Goorin Pebo’s

Makins Molony

Just to clarify, I do not support following all teenage trends i.e. silly bands and energy drinks.  But do strongly believe that teenagers can be a good temperature gage on most other accessories.  These hats are hot!

Where do you get your style inspiration?

Shannon

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

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

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

What’s the Big Deal about Cloche Hats? I’ve never heard of them…

Angelina Jolie, Hillary Swank, and Leighton Meester are well versed in a fashion trend that transcends time, and we keep seeing these fashionable women’s hats in movies, but what are these elegant women’s hats and where did they come from?

While many associate this classic hat with the Roaring 20’s few realize is an excellent wardrobe topper for the fashionistas of today. Cloche hats actually came onto the fashion scene long before the Flapper Era, as milliners took inspirations from all aspects of dress from Russia to Japan, China to Egypt.  These bell shaped women’s hats resemble a combination of a turban, torque and tiara with fancy adornments like feathers, ribbons and rhinestones to dress them up, or simple felt fabrics to dress them down.

Today we’ve seen women’s cloche hats in movies such as the Jolie blockbuster The Changeling and the sappy romance movie staring Hillary Swank, PS I Love You.  And we cannot forget to mention Gossip Girl Leighton Meester as she finished her afternoon look with a vibrant pink cloche hat earlier this year.

Take it from these Hollywood leading ladies, that whether playing a character or joining friends for an afternoon luncheon, a cloche hat brings sophistication and class to your attire.

As temperatures fall while the seasons change, I’d highly recommend shopping through the extensive collection of cloche hats brought to you by HatsintheBelfry.com.  Combining top had designers all in one collection, the team of professionals has outdone themselves with this year’s fall cloche hat collection.

Get inspired with handcrafted creations by Christine A. Moore, famed for her combination of Art Deco and Roaring 20’s designs.  Or browse the pages of Elle magazine, which has also featured cloche hats time and time again as the staple women’s accessory that every leading lady must have.

Whether you’re looking for something flashy and avant garde or traditional chic, a cloche hat is something you’ll need to stay warm and looking hot as fall and winter take over.

-Katie

Back to School Style Tips: Don’t Forget Your Hat

As summer comes to an end many of us find ourselves going through last year’s clothing and accessories in hopes of salvaging something for the coming school year. Whether you look to reuse those favorite, stand-by items or are on the hunt for a new fall wardrobe, you’ll need some fresh new hats to complete your back to school style.

Men and women alike will be topping off 2009 fall fashion with a palate of blacks, grays, midnight blues, dark greens and purples. Now you know the colors to go for, here are my suggestion on the trendy hats that are sure to earn you an A+ in fashion.

Men’s Back to School - 2009 Fall Hats

New Era EK Windsor Pub Cap

Goorin Minna Grime’s Fedora Hat

With thousands of brands to choose from and a plethora of stylish hats coming back “in” this fall, add a few of these fashionable hats to your wardrobe. From fedora hats to trilbys, pub caps to beanies, men’s fall fashion does not discriminate. My personal favorites (above) just hit the stores from Goorin and New Era EK Hats.

Women’s Back to School Fashion- 2009 Fall Hats

As is the case with men’s back to school style, there are a wide range of hat styles our biggest trend-setters can choose from this year, as long as you stay with fall colors and texture. Whether you’re looking for a hat to hide “bed hair” as you head to early morning classes or something that works all day, here are at my favorites.

Goorin Hooty Mod Cap

New Era EK Lodge Cadet Cap

Ladies, it’s time to impress those new boys in class when you show your exquisite taste and attention to detail in fashionable 2009 fall hats. You’ll be sitting at the head of the class and look hot all semester with these quick back to school style tips.

Hats are a Vacation’s Perfect Accessory-

From the Beach to the Campground, Be Practical and Look Stylish

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing summer escape or a trip to help you warm your winter blues, one thing is for certain - we all look forward to vacation! But what do I pack? …

Take it from me; hats are the perfect accessory for any vacation. From beach days to camping trips, fly fishing to safaris, wherever you go, a signature hat provides the perfect complement to your attire.

For style and function, take a look through my recommended women’s hats:

Helen Kaminski Gemma - Panama Cotton Bucket Hat

There’s no better way to shade your beautiful face from the sun’s harmful rays and keep your sophisticated look than with this classic Kaminski bucket hat. Perfect for resorts and cruises, this hat is packable and versatile. What’s more, this white hat matches any spring or summer outfit.

Protection Collection Sea Breeze - Cotton Sun Hat

Available in a range of neutral colors, this beach hat is a sure fit for all. Whether you’re sneaking away for a quick picnic lunch or planning a day-trip, protect yourself and stay cool with UPF 50+ protection and a mesh crown allowing more airflow within the hat. And did I mention this sun hat is crushable which makes for easy packing to take with you anywhere?

And here are a few of my favorite men’s hats, too:

Protection Collection Trek - Mesh Canvas Safari

Perfect for an African safari or trek through the forests of Latin America, I highly recommend this mesh and canvas hat for your travels. Featuring a crushable mesh crown, no other safari hat is better fit for packing. Not to mention, it offers UPF 50+ protection.

Protection Collection Trailway - Cotton Bucket

From fly fishing to sitting around the campfire, the Trailway Cotton Bucket hat is my pick for a weekend in the great outdoors. More than just a hat, this outdoor hat contains a size adjuster and adjustable chin-cord to ensure the perfect fit for any size head. What’s more, there is a small pocket on the inside to store your key, ID or even some extra cash!

Whether your vacation lasts a few days, a week or all summer long don’t forget to pack your favorite hats. They’ll keep you looking fresh and feeling cool throughout your trip.

-Katie

All You Need is One Signature Hat

From dressy to casual, one thing remains constant - all you need to look hot for any occasion is one signature hat! What better look to take home than arguably one of the most classic of all hats, the fedora. What started as the must-have accessory for men years and years ago, is clearly the must-have fashion item for men AND women today!

My pick for your one signature hat is the Belfry Curtis. Offering a classic silhouette with a stingy brim, this signature fedora gives you a trendy look that goes from day to night with ease. What’s more - the Belfry Curtis fedora hat is one of the most affordable pieces I’ve found! At only $28.00, you will look the part without breaking the bank.

Take it from fashion icons like actor Brad Pitt and athlete Dwyane Wade who have added this signature hat to their dressy styles.

Or for a casual day relaxing on your boat or strolling through the city, follow the lead of some of Hollywood’s most fashion forward stars like P. Diddy and Zac Efron who sport their signature fedoras with casual ease.

And of course, ladies, I have not forgotten about you - a signature womens fedora looks just as good, if not better, on you than it does on men! Whether you’re looking to cover your “bad hair day” or for a stunning finishing touch to your smart attire like Victoria Beckham, this hat does it all!

-Katie