Hatsinthebelfry

On the Golf Course

Finally, summer fun is in full “swing” and many people are spending time outside doing their favorite things. For some members of my family, the dream of living on the golf course doesn’t mean you have a house near a course. It means (if your wife would let you) you would spend every waking minute playing the great game of golf. That is all well and good as long as you are protected. The summer sun can do a number on a golfer who has little to no relief from UV rays on the course. 

Not everyone has the same hat style on the course, so if you haven’t found your perfect golf hat, here are some pros and cons to the most popular hat styles for golfers.

Pub Cap/Driving Cap – The driving cap is a classic style that will provide some protection from the sun, but still leaves the back of your neck exposed.  These styles come in light weight fabrics, like cotton and linen that keep your head cool in the summer heat and are easy to roll up and stuff in your golf bag or your pocket.  Some materials can be thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning, but make sure to check the tag before doing so.

Pros: easy to store and transport, light weight, washable                             

Cons: limited sun protection (same goes for baseball hats)

Raffia Straw – Raffia straw hats come in various styles with both short and large brims for different levels of sun protection.  Raffia straw is one of the most durable straws making these hats good for packing.  They will travel well in a suitcase if you are planning a golf getaway.  Sometimes this straw can be warm to wear in the hot sun since it is not as lightweight as other straws.

Pros – durable and packable, good sun protection (dependent on the brim size you choose)

Cons – can be warm due to heavier straw

Panama Straw – Panama straw hats come in various styles with both large and small brims.  They are one of the lightest weight straws, allow air through the crown and provide great sun protection.  A Panama straw hat is handmade and of the utmost quality.  If cared for properly, this hat will last for years to come.  A Panama straw hat does require conscious care.  They should not be handled by pinching the crown and should not be left in a hot car. Never sit on your Panama hat!

Pros – light weight, breathes well, quality construction, great sun protection

Cons – fragile crown, should not be pinched or squashed

Toyo Straw – Toyo straw is a paper straw that is very light weight.  Toyo straw hats come in various styles and offer good sun protection.  These hats are less expensive than some other straw hats and are considered a one-season wear.  Toyo straw should not get wet and should not be left in a hot car.  The best way to store a toyo straw hat is on a hat hook or upside down (on the crown) in a cool place.

Pros – very light weight, inexpensive, good sun protection (dependent on the brim size you choose)

Cons – fragile, one season wear, cannot get wet

Canvas – Canvas sun hats offer ultimate sun protection.  They are often weather proof in the chance you get caught in a random summer down poor.  These hats are generally very durable and last for years of wear. Because the canvas allows no rays to pass through, they also allow no air to pass through which can make this a warm choice for a summer golf hat.

Pros – weather resistant, ultimate sun protection

Cons – heavier weight means it can be warm to wear in the sun

Before you schedule your tee time, make sure you have packed your hat! - Shannon

Shannon’s Top 5 Favorite Summer Hats

Today’s post is my personal top pick list of this season’s hats.  Think of it as the “Employee Favorite” section in our virtual store.  There are so many amazing styles this summer that it is tricky to narrow them down, especially if you are new to wearing hats.  I am a lover of all styles, so today I decided to put together a listing my favorite hats of this season, in no particular, in order to help anyone who doesn’t know where to begin when picking out the perfect hat.

It is important to have a hat in your wardrobe that serves both fashion and function.  For me, the Belfry Brasil is a perfect example of this.  It is a stylish snap brim fedora that can be worn by both men and women and literally goes with any outfit.  You can wear this hat with a business suit or a bathing suit.  It is also really light weight, so it is a perfect sun blocking hat that will keep you cool on those 100 degree days. 

For us girls who like to make a statement with their hat fashions, the Makins Roslyn is the perfect style for summer events. I’ve mentioned this hat in a previous post and have since been told by more than one Hats in the Belfry employee, that this is their favorite hat to wear in the shop. It goes with any summer dress, from basic black to hot pink sundress. And it is just plain gorgeous.

*I know this is not a hat, but I am also in love with this paisley scarf.

The Belfry Law was a hat I wore on a regular basis when I was working in the Annapolis shop last summer.  Usually I wear the biggest and most elaborate hats we carry because I like to pretend that I’m rich and famous when I am working, but the Belfry Law was my go-to hat when I couldn’t find anything extravagant that fit my fancy for the day. And I always ended up selling the hat off my head when I wore it.  It is still one of my favorite hats in the store.  I just love the tobacco colored straw and the green band.  I can see this hat being a favorite for many summers to come.

When it comes to Cloche styles, there are so many to choose from.  I chose the Belfry Meridian as my favorite this season because I love the shiny Milan straw and the delicate floral accent.  It reminds me of the hat that Marissa Miller wore to the Kentucky Derby (which I adored and critics hated). It is a very feminine hat that is a classic 1920’s cloche style, but it goes perfectly with modern fashions.

My final pick for my top 5 hats this season is the Christy’s Crown Lafayette pub cap.  Full disclosure, I personally do not wear pub caps.  For some reason, they are just not flattering for me.  But my BFF and Manager of the Annapolis shop, Jen, looks great in them. 

When I am picking out a pub cap for a customer, I am thinking of what would look good on her.  Jen, if you are reading this, I think this hat would look really cute on you.

I would love to hear from you.  What is your favorite hat this season? - Shannon

Preakness Hats - For Every Budget

Being a Maryland based business we have a serious soft spot for the Preakness race in Baltimore.  This year we are gearing up for Preakness with designer hat fittings by the amazing Christine A. Moore in our Annapolis and Baltimore shop locations.  She makes some unbelievable one-of-a-kind pieces that are sure to be noticed on race day.  Understandably, not everyone has the budget for a designer, custom fit, one of a kind masterpiece, but that is no reason to go hatless on the Preakness lawn.  Here are some amazing options at price points we all can work with.

Under $50

You shouldn’t have to mortgage your home just to look amazing on race day.   Never fear, there are some great options for under $50 that are sure to be photo-worthy pieces.  The Kira Ribbon Sun Hat for only $38 is a big brim that is stylish with or without embellishment.  Pin on the oversized flower $9 and you have yourself a designer look for less.

If the big brim is not your style, go fascinator!  If it is good enough for Kate Middleton, it is good enough for Preakness.  The Isbel, Sinamay Straw Hair Clip is a great option with a stylish up-do hairstyle.

Under $100

If you are ready to splurge a little why not go for a classic?  The Belfry Mena $78 in a Natural Straw is a classic style with black grosgrain band.  This garden style hat is elevated with the lime green and black floral accent making it a style perfect to pair with a sundress.

You can still be over the top under $100 with the Plaza Suite Lanna.  This spring blue with white accent is a hat that will be noticed.  The downturned brim will give you shade and mystery.

Under $200

If you are ready to bring out the big guns, this hot pink raffia number, Makins Sadie $188, is a perfect piece to get you noticed.  The oversized floral is on trend this year and the color is hot hot hot.

If hot pink is not your cup of tea, perhaps the classic black is more your style.  Even though we are right under the $200 mark, this is a steal for a hat of this quality and grandeur by Christine A. Moore.  The Boca Big Brim $198 is a beautifully woven straw hat that will provide lots of shade and double the style factor.

No Budget

If you are planning to win big at the races this year, go for the gusto with Christine A. Moore’s Stargazer Upturned Brim $528.  This hat is more than elegant, it is divine.  The floral is large and over the top, yet tasteful.  The color is fantastic and it is an all-around beautiful hat perfect for race day.  It also happens to be my favorite design this season. 

Have fun at the races! - Shannon

Kentucky Derby Hats 2011

Today’s post is simply a collection of some of the hats worn at the Kentucky Derby this weekend.  With hats like these, who needs much else?

Kate Gosselin in feather and a lacy black little number.

Jordan Sparks.  I love the hat and love the outfit, but I’m not sure that I love the hat and the outfit together…

Maria Menounos looking super cute in a flashy fascinator and a frilly dress.  Were Maria and Jordan at the same party?

I love this fascinator on Vanessa Minnilo.  I just wish that she would have chosen a pop of color to go with her black ensemble.

Paula Patton.  I love this look!  A beautiful big flash of a hat with a tight white mini dress that looks fantastic on her.

Salt and Pepa don’t dissapoint in these over the top designs.

Sometimes bigger isn’t better.  Let’s get serious here people.

Most of these pictures were posted on necolebitchie.com.  Check out her site for even more shots from the Derby this weekend.

If you are interested in some of the more extreme hats from the Derby check out this site.

-Shannon

Biltmore Hats are Back!

There is so much to be said about a hat that is made with a level of quality reminiscent of days when your hat was a required piece of attire to remain of a certain social stature.  The saying “they don’t make them like they used to” does not apply when it comes to hats made under the Biltmore brand.   They make them just like they used to.  We at Hats in the Belfry are honored to have been a supporter of the Biltmore Hats even through their recent financial struggles and couldn’t be more pleased that THEY ARE BACK!

Biltmore Hats was founded in 1917 and moved to Guelph, Canada in 1919.  In the 1950’s they employed over 350 people producing hats with hand sewn details and a quality that made them one of the most popular brands of the time.  Sadly, in recent years Biltmore fell on financial troubles and were in search of additional investors.  Biltmore’s owner, Eric Lynes, was adamant that they were going to keep Biltmore producing from their facility in Guelph, they were not going to file for bankruptcy and they would continue to produce quality hats for their loyal customers.

The doors did close in 2010 and the twenty remaining employees were laid off. 

 “It was a dark period and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. We kept believing we were going to open this place again and we weren’t going to be pushed around or file for bankruptcy.” said Lynes.  And open again, they did.  Seven months after closing, the American company Dorfman Pacific agreed to purchase the company, keep Lynes on to manage the business and keep production in Guelph.  Sixteen employees that were laid off were back to work and the demand for iconic Biltmore hats was on the rise.

It is an amazing thing to see a company stand their ground and just know in the bottom of their hearts that what they are creating is meaningful.  This is such a great story of never giving up and working towards a future with the same ideals that made them successful in the past.  Welcome back, Biltmore hats!

“Biltmore is a legacy brand to us.  There are so few brands out there anymore that still make hats the same way they did 50 years ago.  Biltmore is one of them, and we are so happy to carry their line again“ -Ryan Seth owner of Hats in the Belfry and President of The Headwear Association.

Royal Fascinators

With all the buzz around the Royal Wedding this week, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to write a Kate Middleton post.  There are sure to be some impressive hats at the wedding this Friday, but will Kate wear one?  She is being credited for bringing Fascinators back into popularity in the United Kingdom as well as the U.S. and has worn some incredible pieces over the last year.  I don’t know if I completely agree that she was the sole reason that Fascinators are back, but I will concur that she has worn them well.

In my opinion, Fascinators started coming back in style on the wedding circuit a few years ago.  The bird cage veil has replaced the long delicate veil in many a modern wedding and the fascinator grew from the trend.  Brides were looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding headwear.  So the question remains, will Kate choose a Fascinator for her big day?

Will she choose something abstract?  Kate doesn’t play it safe when choosing her headwear.  I absolutely love the straw abstract circular Fascinator with her purple suit and the black straw Fascinator with the wispy feathers.  Put those two together and you get something similar to this Scala Isbel in lilac.

Will she go over the top?  This woven black circular Fascinator is almost reminiscent of a conical Asian hat you would find in the fields of Vietnam, but with an obvious twist.  This is not a hat that can go unnoticed and neither is the famous feather Fascinator.  This feather Fascinator, similar to Christine A. Moore’s Fascinator, was the piece that said to me, this girl knows what she is doing.  She is not just playing with the idea of bringing stylish hats in to her wardrobe.  She must just love hats.

I won’t be completely surprised if she chooses no hat at all for the big wedding day, but I keep my fingers crossed that she will.  Who knows, maybe she will choose a Fascinator similar to this stylish bride…

-Shannon

Dudes of the Derby

With so much excitement surrounding preparation for the Parade of Hats at the upcoming races, I wanted to take a moment to recognize a group that is often overlooked for their hat fashions on Derby day.  MEN!  The tradition of wearing hats at horse races started in the United Kingdom long before the start of the Kentucky Derby.  Men wore top hats and would never be seen in public without their hat.  When the Derby started in 1875, it was still customary for men to wear hats, but as time went on the prevalence of men’s hats at the races started to dwindle as women continued to don over the top designs.

In recent years, we have seen the fashionable males bringing hats back to the races, but the styles have changed from the top hat days.  Men are choosing hats that reflect their personal style and make a statement at the same time.

Mr. Hugh Hefner seen here with his “Girls Next Door” stars went for the classic straw fedora in 2008.  He understands that the ladies are the stars of the Parade of Hats, but that is no reason that a man can’t be dapper as well.

In 2008, Dwayne Wade was ahead of the stingy brim trend, with this great straw fedora.  The tobacco colored straw hat was the focal point of his ensemble with an understated cream suit, proving that the hat can be the star of your Derby outfit even without having feathers and flowers.

Joey Fatone, former boy band member turned actor turned television game show host is not always known for his fashion sense.  But he did a great job of keeping things casual while still being Derby appropriate at the 2009 races.  He wore a classic grey suit with black sneakers and a great black snap brim fedora.  I like a guy that doesn’t take himself too seriously.

At last year’s Derby, the guy that turned heads with his hat style was without a doubt, rocker Pete Wentz.  He went for a throw back with his Newsboy cap, bowtie and high socks.  Some said that he looked like he was wearing a costume, but I think he looked great.  The Derby is a day when you can step out of your normal fashion comfort zone and get creative.

So while you are sipping Mint Juleps in the hot sun, Guys, don’t forget your lids. - Shannon

Christine A. Moore - Designer Fittings

Christine A. Moore is a rock star in the women’s designer hat industry. Her creations are one of a kind and perfect for Spring Holidays, the Kentucky Derby and even the Royal Wedding. I have personally been an adoring fan of Christine A. Moore from my first year working in the Hats in the Belfry shop over 10 years ago. Her designs are unique and classic at the same time. Every season I am impressed by her inventiveness and ability to continue to create head turning hats.

We are very excited to have Christine A. Moore hosting not one, but three trunk shows at our Annapolis and Fell’s Point locations leading up to the Preakness race event. She will be assisting guests in choosing the perfect hat and will be custom fitting her designs for those who attend. This is a one of a kind opportunity to meet personally with a designer who has been creating unique pieces for nearly fifteen years.

Annapolis, 103 Main Street

Wednesday, May 18^th

2:00pm-6:00pm

Fell’s Point, 813 S Broadway

Thursday, May 19^th

11:00am-5:00pm

Fell’s Point, 813 S Broadway

Friday, May 20^th

11:00am-4:00pm, then again from 7:00pm-9:00pm

Hats in the Belfry and Christine A. Moore will join forces to become Preakness’s Hat store on the Preakness Lawn! On Saturday, May 21st the gates will open for Baltimore’s most exciting race event. If you are attending the races, please stop by and see us!

Spring Women’s Styles – Not just for the Derby

Tis’ the season for beautiful straw hats!  They have arrived in the stores and I am drooling over this year’s Spring styles.  Big brims, bows and florals are on trend this season and my favorite picks are the more elaborate and unique designs. 

Many people identify the over the top styles with the Kentucky Derby and Spring Holidays, but you don’t have to be going to a garden party to wear a head turning hat.  I took a look at some of the Spring women’s clothing styles at Madewell.com to put together some “Looks I Love” for the season.

Tomboy Button Down and Belfry Savannah - I love the idea of pairing a button down shirt with a flirty print skirt, but you can also wear this shirt with a pair of jeans and still be chic.  This kind of classic piece lends itself perfectly to a cloche like the Belfry Savannah, with its’ neutral toffee color and big beautiful bow. This mix of feminine and boyish pieces creates a comfy and stylish look.

Paisley Maxi Dress and Belfry Roxanna - I love a dress that has some length to it without having to hit the floor.  This dress is a basic that is begging for accessories, a cute belt, a cropped jacket and the perfect hat.  I chose the Belfry Roxanna to compliment this look continuing the trend of mixing masculine and feminine pieces.  This unique green straw hat is great with navy and browns that will carry us from rainy Spring days to the sunshine coming soon.

Scenic Route Shirt Dress and Makins Rosalyn - This hat is a show stopper without question.  When wearing a hat like this, it is important to not over-do the look or you will look like you are headed for the races.  A simple shirt dress in a dark solid color like a black or navy is trendy without being too much.

Flirty Floral and Belfry Scarlett - The Belfry Scarlett is one of my favorite hats, so why not pair it with one of my favorite pieces this season, the flirty floral mini.  The reason why I love a print mini-dress is because you can pair it with other pieces to completely transform your look.  Add a blazer and tights to wear to work, add a cardigan and strappy sandals for date night, or add a belt and a one of a kind asymmetrical straw hat for a day of shopping or hanging out with friends.

Whether you are wearing a tomboy button down, a contemporary shirt dress or a flirty floral mini there is a hat that can elevate your style.  Happy Spring!

-Shannon

Mixed Business – Jazz Give-Away!

We haven’t done a give-away in a while, so why not give away a hat that is Hot Hot Hot right now!

Belfry Jazz Wool - Brown

As you may have read, Hats in the Belfry is partnering with a Baltimore based band in support of their new album release.  Mixed Business is a group of talented musicians who also happen to have great taste in hats.  During a recent photo shoot, one of the band members, Brian Forte, wore our Belfry Jazz snap brim pork pie hat which is a great hat to transition through the seasons.

We want you to have this hat!  Leave a comment here with which version of the Jazz is your favorite and be entered to win you choice of Jazz hat.  You will have until Friday, March 25^th to comment and one winner will be drawn at random.

Belfry Braid Jazz - Natural

Belfry Straw Jazz - Tobacco

Belfry Straw Be-Bop - Black

A second chance to win!  There are two ways to win your choice of Belfry Jazz style.  Leave a comment here on the blog or go to our Facebook page and comment on your favorite Belfry Jazz hat!

For those local to the Baltimore area, we hope you will join us at the record release party this Saturday!

Saturday, March 26^th

Mick O’Shea’s, 328 N. Charles Street

Free Admission if you wear one of Mixed Business’ favorite Belfry hats!

20% off the purchase of one hat with copy of Mixed Business CD

or attendance at the record release party!