Tesi: Excellence in Every Brim
Florence, Italy, is a city known for its art, architecture, and enduring sense of style and it’s also home to Tesi, one of Italy’s most respected names in hat making. With roots tracing back to the mid-19th century, Tesi has spent more than 150 years perfecting the craft of felt and wool hats, earning a reputation for elegance and refinement that extends around the world.
A Heritage of Hat Making
Founded in the 1850s, Tesi began as a small family workshop in Florence and grew into one of Italy’s most respected hat makers. Its heyday came in the early 20th century with the success of canotto and straw hats, crafted from the finest Italian and oriental straws. The launch of Panama hats marked a true turning point, expanding Tesi’s reputation across Central and North America. Still family-run today, Tesi continues to blend heritage craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Tesi, originally is best known for its straw hats has now become a mastery of fine felts and wool. The process is to create the fabrics is meticulous. Fibers are carefully selected, milled, and shaped into structured crowns and wide brims that hold their form with grace. What makes a Tesi hat stand out is the balance of structure and comfort. Every hat feels substantial yet easy to wear, a hallmark of their craftsmanship.
The Merino Wool Collection
One of our favorite collaborations with Tesi, internally known as the Tesi Traveler, is our collection of Merino wool brims. Customers had asked for a hat that could withstand travel while still looking refined. Together with Tesi, we determined their beautiful Merino wool would be the perfect material. Packable, weather resistant, and stylish, these hats are a perfect example of Tesi’s ability to adapt classic techniques to contemporary needs.
Limited Edition Tesi
Every season we introduce special Limited Edition styles crafted exclusively by Tesi. These pieces offer something unexpected, whether it’s a vibrant pop of color, the introduction of a new novelty material, or bold finishings that make a statement. Each hat is produced in small numbers, ensuring not only exclusivity but also the careful attention to detail that Tesi is known for. For those who love timeless Italian craftsmanship with a modern twist, these limited editions offer the chance to own a piece of artistry you won’t find anywhere else.
Why We Partner With Tesi
We work with Tesi because they represent the very best of Italian hat making: tradition carried forward with care, materials chosen with discernment, and designs that stand the test of time. Customers love Tesi hats because of their uniqueness and quality. When you put on a Tesi hat, you’re wearing more than an accessory you’re wearing a piece of Florence’s history, crafted by a family that has dedicated generations to the art of the brim.
A Word From Giacomo
During a recent trip to Italy, Skip 'Mr. Belfry' met with Giacomo, who shared stories about Tesi’s history, his vision for the future of hats, and what it’s like working as a Hats in the Belfry partner.
