From Rude Boy Ska to Runway Couture

We've all seen the traditional rude boy ska style, whether your favorite bands include Reel Big Fish and The Specials or not. This fashion trend has been popular for years, but what you may not know is that this style is not just about thick rimmed glasses or thick sideburns; the essential accessory that adds the finishing touches to such a classic look is the pork pie hat.

And here's a bit of news that may shock some of you - this casual men's hat is now one of the hottest fashion must have accessories. As the models stepped out onto the runway earlier this year for a St. Louis fashion show, fashion headwear was the focus. Pork pie hats provide an ultra sleek, super cool runway couture look that can easily go from day to night.

Take it from Chris Meloni, star of Law & Order SVU, who recently attended a fashion show at Bryant Park wearing a stunning gray pork pie hat.

Still don't believe me? What if I told you this accessory has topped the head of soccer superstar David Beckham for a casual day of travel with his family?

What's more - trendy ladies have been seen stepping out in these typical men's hats. Fergie and Mischa Barton have been known to bend the rules before, so it's not surprising that they've added pork pie hats to their funky celeb style.

 

-Katie

Hats in the Belfry

www.hatsinthebelfry.com

The Best way to promote hats....

If you are reading this you probably have something to do with the hat business and are interested in promoting hat wearing. Please stop reading and put on a hat. Enjoy the compliments from your fellow citizen and rest easy knowing you did your part to promote hats. Repeat as needed until we elect a president who again wears a hat.

Yes, its just that easy.

THA Kicks off Annual "Hat Day in the Sun"

With 90 percent of all skin cancers caused by sun exposure, The Headwear Association (THA) is once again launching Hat Day in the Sun on Friday, June 19, 2009 to coincide with the first weekend of summer.

Hat Day in the Sun, an annual national public awareness campaign will educate adults and children about how the right hat can protect against skin cancer, premature skin damage and the advance aging process. To celebrate this event, THA members will be giving away free wide-brimmed sun-protection hats across the country as well as tips for sun protection.

“A hat with a wide brim along all sides of your head should offer good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck,” said David Goldman, president of The Headwear Association. "In the case of sun protection, a good hat should be both stylish and functional."

To be sure you are purchasing the right hat to protect against the harmful effects of the sun; The Headwear Association recommends the following tips:

Size - A hat with a minimum 2 ½” brim can provide adequate sun protection for the neck, face and ears.

Shape - Hat shapes that protect better against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are ones that curve down to follow the contours of the head and neck.

Material - The material of a hat should be lightweight and breathable. Fabric should be a closed weave straw, raffia, cloth, or felt.

For more information about The Headwear Association or Hat Day in the Sun, please visit http://www.theheadwearassociation.org/ or call Susan Weiss, SWPR at 312-222-1337.

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Pub Caps Offer a Hip Hop Spin on the Classic Ivy

No one knows fashion better than A-List celebrities. I mean, let’s be honest, they pay enough for their personal stylists, so they better step out with the hottest trends of the season. That being said, it’s no wonder pub caps, or duckbill caps - the same hat known by a different name, have made their way onto the heads of fashion forward men across the globe.

Offering a young, hip spin on a traditional “old man’s hat,” stars like Ne-Yo, Usher and Brad Pitt to name a few, have paved the way for pub caps, this spring’s must have fashion accessory.

Usher made a bold statement in a sleek, all white pub cap for his album release celebrations in New York City.

Ne-Yo, famous for topping off his sophisticated, urban style with trendy hats has traded in his fedoras for pub caps in recent appearances

So where did the pub caps trend begin?

Some believe what is said to be the hottest accessory this spring started gaining popularity just over a year ago with Brad Pitt. One of Hollywood’s most respected actors and someone the ladies just can’t get enough of, Brad Pitt began selling these trendy hats for his “Make it Right” charity which aimed to build new homes for the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.

As Pitt put his best face forward with a variety of pub caps, the popularity of this trend began to grow. Now pub caps, the more fitted version of traditional ivy caps, offer a brim with the perfect oval arch to frame your face and give you the hottest spring style.

The only question I am left with is when women are going to get an opportunity to take advantage of this hot style trend? I’m waiting for fashionistas like Alicia, Rihanna and Britney to join the men and make pub caps the universal IT accessory.

-Katie
Hats in the Belfry
www.hatsinthebelfry.com

"cold rain and snow"-like

"Well I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life
Run me out in the cold rain and snow"
GRATEFUL DEAD - COLD RAIN AND SNOW

Not sure what the boys meant to say with these lyrics but here in Philly today there is plenty of cold rain but gratefully no snow.

In weather like this everyone needs a hat to keep warm and stay dry. This morning I grabbed my classic six-panel baseball cap made with warm fleece (#6613). Hopefully tomorrow is a bit drier.

Getting back to the Dead they are coming to Philly in a few weeks. I have tix for May 1. Need to grab a good hat for the show.

Drop me a line and tell me what's on your head?
-David
dgoldman@theheadwearassociation.org

spring time headwear

Nothing like a 26 degree morning (in Philadelphia) to remind everyone that spring is here.
The forecast is for sunny and high 40s this afternoon - perfect for my recycled cotton knit beanie; made in the USA.

Hope that you are warm/cool and comfortable where ever you are and remember to wear hat.

-David Goldman
President
dgoldman@theheadwearassociation.org

The Headwear Association Celebrates 101st Year Anniversary

The Headwear Association (THA), the oldest association in the hat trade will celebrates its 101st year anniversary with a gala dinner on Thursday, March 19 at The Tavern on the Green, Central Park at West 67th Street in New York.

As The Headwear Association celebrates its 101st year, the organization has a renewed focus and energy. The mission today is to promote hat wearing and the headwear industry throughout the world and foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry.

Highlights of the evening include:

To formally induct Jackie Kennedy, Johnny Depp, Madonna, Princess Diana, Samuel L. Jackson and Vince Lombardi into The Headwear Hall of Fame

To honor outgoing president, Bob Broner with the David Lieberman Award

To present the Annual Hat Retailer of the Year Award to Sam Meyer from Meyer the Hatter

To present the Ben Rosenthal Award to Bernard Grossman, a leader in the headwear industry

For more information, please call THA's publicist Susan Weiss at 312-222-1337 or susan@swpr.biz