Hats In The Belfry: The Hatters Tale
The craft of making hats is still about one thing - creativity. It's about pushing boundaries and creating something original. It's about being inspired by what was once ordinary and then using that inspiration to create something extraordinary. As a tiny company we are always pushing ourselves to the edge of possibility. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you put a handful of dedicated people into a room with a singular vision.
Hats In The Belfry is where creativity meets tradition, new ideas meet old-world methods, and innovation meets heritage. Here you will find handmade hats with a story to tell.
We know what makes someone stand out, and we focus on it. That means each piece is designed with purpose and passion in collaboration with our partners. Each hat reflects a little of who we are, and we are willing to go the extra mile (or 5,000) to cultivate an amazing collection.
Traveling to Italy to source handcrafted hats is part of our legacy. In fact, it's at the heart of the business.
How Did it Happen?
We didn't get lucky. It took hard work and perseverance to build this incredible business. Along the way, we were fortunate to team up with some wonderful partners both stateside and abroad. Their collective experience helped us develop the expertise to bring hats to life. They've shaped our culture and business model, and together we continue to innovate and evolve. We're thankful to be surrounded by such talented individuals.
Over the years, we've achieved excellent results because of what separates us from others. We're passionate about quality products, customer service, and attention to detail. This led us to establish relationships with some of the finest artisans in the world, people who share our vision and values.
This eventually connected us to Italy. We now travel to Italy twice a year to build upon our relationships with generations of hat makers. They have shown us the sights, tastes, and culture of Italy. Each visit we come home with more knowledge, insight, and inspiration.
Timeless Inspiration From the Italian Traditions
With this understanding of fine craftsmanship, we set our sights on meeting with some of the greatest hatmakers on the continent. Although our Belfry Italia line was developed in 2017, our trip to Italy in 2019 was a transformative experience. What we discovered changed us forever! The Italian spirit can be seen in their love of exclusivity, passion for design, and commitment to making high-quality hats. These characteristics are embodied in each piece they create and we wanted to share this with our customers.
The Italian fabrics provide softness and richness unmatched anywhere else, often sourced from small mills and textile manufacturers. The common thread of pride and high standards are shared at every level. This is one reason Italian hats are some of the best in the world. Supple Italian leathers, cashmere, quality wools, pure linen, panama straws and fur felts are just some of the materials used to create a unmatched product.
Our team witnessed firsthand the artistry behind the scenes. As we toured various factories in Italy producing hats, we were struck by how much care people take in creating something as simple as a hat. That care makes the difference between good and great. It doesn't just happen by chance; there's an effort put into the process that creates the desired result.
Many of these same qualities shine through in our own approach to hats. We value integrity and honesty. We hold ourselves accountable to our customers and strive to exceed expectations.
We are now partnered with some of the most accomplished Italian artisans to manufacture our hats exclusively. By working closely with them, we've refined our manufacturing processes further to ensure consistent quality and superior value.
Why Italy?
Italy is the perfect combination of high fashion and tradition. It is a place the entire world looks at for trends like fashion week, runway shows, magazine editorials, etc. Yet, despite its worldwide appeal, the country remains grounded in time-honored traditions. The culture is rooted in a deep respect for history and heritage. This gives rise to timeless designs and innovative concepts, which attract new generations of consumers.
Fashion is more important in Italy than ever before. Each season brings new styles and new trends. The Italian design scene is one of the most creative in the world. Trends constantly evolve, and each year offers unique opportunities to express oneself.
The manufacturing side of Italy is still small, personal, and artisanal. They make hats that last generations because of the care taken in the production process. Their small business structure and dedication to craftsmanship mirror our own philosophy here at Hats In The Belfry.
Spectacular Made Hats by Italian Craftsmen
We pride ourselves on creating our Belfry Italia brand of Italian-made hats. These are not imitations of American brands. They are our own creations sourced directly from Italy.
These handmade products are produced by skilled artisans using traditional methods. They take great pride in their work and know how to translate a customer's vision into a finished product. An individual artisan has crafted each piece of this collection.
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We offer a wide array of styles for men and women. Whether your taste runs toward classic, sporty, casual, or trendy, we have something for everyone! We carry a broad selection of styles ranging from fedoras, pork pies, flat caps, safaris, trilbys, berets, knitwear, and much more. All of them are designed with a classic feel, adding flair to your wardrobe.
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Our Italian partners Complit, Ferruccio Vecchi, Sorbatti, Tesi, Alfonso D'Este, and Borsalino. Our selection is constantly growing and changing. If you see something you love, chances are we already sell it.
Our Presence Today
From humble beginnings in Annapolis, MD, in 1978, as a novel destination the Hats In The Belfry grew and we found our identity, evolved and honed our craft. Over the next few decades we opened and closed locations in surrounding metropolitan areas, launched our website hatsinthebelfry.com, opened an Amazon storefront and developed our product collections. Today, the original Annapolis store is our only brick & mortar location but we're proud to serve all of America and beyond with a full range of hats, caps, women's casual & dress styles, as well as accessories online.
For 45+ years we've built a reputation among hat enthusiasts as a trusted provider of hats and headwear. From traditional fedoras and panama straw hats to innovative shapes and actual works of art, we carry North America's most comprehensive selection of quality hats. We don't carry every style on the market but what we do have is thoughtfully curated and developed with our customers in mind.
In addition to our Belfry Italia collection we also have handmade styles from European and American partners, Wigens, Korber, Stetson and more!
Be Part of the Belfry Family!
Do you share our passion for wearing hats? Do you find yourself drawn to the latest trend on social media? Are you looking for ideas to add to your closet? Then check out our blog for all of your hat needs. We feature news about new collections, style tips, and even reviews of specific items.
If you are a curious hat lover like us, we invite you to read our below articles for a better understanding of this fascinating accessory.
If our hats' quality, fit, and style match yours, we would love to hear from you. Just give us a call at 888-999-4287 or send us an email at hats@hatsinthebelfry.com.
If you like to visit us in person, please stop by our store at 103 Main St., Annapolis, MD 21401.
