LIDS Hat Blog

Save Money on Your Baseball Hats!

We love our customers and are constantly looking for ways to say a great big THANK YOU for your loyalty.  In an effort to let you know how much we appreciate the opportunity to hook you up with the sickest hats, we're  offering a special one day only discount.  Today only, take 25% off regularly priced merchandise at lids.com.  This offer excludes clearance merchandise and cannot be combined with any other offer.  Visit Lids on Facebook to get the lids.com promotion code.  Promotion code must be used at checkout.

Don't miss out on this special one day only event.  Offer ends at 11:59pm EST on 9/28/09.  The only thing better than awesome hats...is awesome hats for less moolah!

New Yankees Hat Added to the New Era "Spike Lee Joint" Cap Collection

Spike Lee, legendary filmmaker and avid New York Yankees fan, and New Era have once again teamed up to create another sick hat to add to the "Spike Lee Joint" Cap Collection.  The Spike Lee Joint 2.0 is the third cap that Lee has worked with New Era to create and the second in the Spike Lee Joint Collection.  The Spike Lee Joint 2.0 cap commemorates the Yankees'  twenty-six World Series Championships by featuring the years in which the championships were won.  This cap also acknowledges their inaugural season in the new Yankee Stadium on the inside of the hat.   

Spike Lee and New Era Cap Company originally crossed paths in 1996 when Spike Lee asked New Era to do a special, one-of-a-kind red 59Fifty New York Yankees cap.  Lee wore the 59Fifty hat and with it, started a new trend of fashion-focused fitted hats. 

Only 750 of these exclusive Yankees 59Fifty hats are being made available to the public.  Lids is proud to have two of the four retail locations where the cap is being offered.  You can pick up the Spike Lee Joint 2.0 at Lids on 42nd Street or Lids in Herald Square (see addresses below).  The cap comes in a commemorative box and can be picked up for $75.

  ---------------------------------- LOCATIONS ----------------------------------

Lids
42nd Street Entertainment Center
239 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

Lids
Herald Square
1293 Broadway
New York, NY 10001

New Era 59Fifty Coop Hats are Back!

We've had a ton of customers ask us to bring back the MLB Coop 59Fifty by New Era and we've listened!  Not only have we brought this 59Fifty back, but we've added additional styles.  Now you can find even more of these vintage inspired 59Fifty hats at lids.com.  The majority of the hats in this collection feature past logos or were once worn on-field by the team. These hats are vintage inspired, but there's nothing out-of-date with this 59Fifty!

So Lids Readers, what do you think about the collection?  Which one is your favorite?  What other styles would you like to see back? 

Lebron Dons an Indians Hat...Staying in Cleveland?

If the hat is any indication, Cleveland fans might be breathing a sigh of relief.  On Friday while signing copies of his new book in Ohio, Lebron James left his controversial New York Yankees Cap at home and wore a New Era Authentic Cleveland Indians Hat instead.  

According to reports, Lebron said "I ain't leaving" to a fan imploring him to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Playing to the audience?  Or is Lebron's heart in Cleveland?

DC SHOES PROMO

Starting Thursday, September 24th, DC Shoes and Lids are teaming up for a special promotion highlighting the latest and greatest from DC Shoes.  Here is a sneak peak into some hot new DC Shoes styles you will see at a store near you.

DC SHOES LOOK AT IT FLEX

DC SHOES HAMMY FLEX

DC SHOES GOOBER FLEX

Kenny Chesney and the Franchise Hat

Kenny Chesney is in Indianapolis for his final concert of the year tomorrow.  He is wrapping up his summer tour and I'm pumped that I get to attend!  Granted, I've seen Kenny in concert more than ten times, but I love him!  The fact that he won't be touring next year means that I've got to get my Kenny fix to last me a whole year.  In preparation for the concert, I've been listening to Kenny songs, watching music videos and reading up on him. I can't flippin' wait!

Kenny definitely has a signature look: a cutoff t-shirt, tight jeans, cowboy boots and who can forget the COWBOY HAT!  However, in all my "research" I've noticed that when Kenny isn't wearing a cowboy hat, he typically has on a Franchise hat.  He sings about a "Red Sox cap" in She's from Boston and even sports a Franchise hat in several of his music videos.  He is constantly seen rocking Tennessee Volunteers hats (hometown: Luttrell, TN), Boston Red Sox hats and a number of local teams for the city in which he is touring. 

The Franchise hat, a relaxed, easy-fitted cap, is the perfect choice for Kenny.  This beach-bum cowboy is laid back and down to earth, yet spirited...just like the Franchise hat.  In my opinion, Kenny looks good in anything, but he definitely knows how to rock a baseball cap!  It's easy to see why the Franchise hat is Kenny's go-to hat when he's not wearing a cowboy hat.

I hope to see lots of you out at the concert rockin' to Kenny and sportin' your hats!  I know I will!

Lids Readers, what other concerts are you looking forward to attending?  Are there other musicians or celebrities that you rarely see without a hat?  I love hat wearing celebrities...especially when I get to see them in concert!

(Above) Kenny rocks his Franchise hats all over the country!

tokidoki hats from New Era @ LIDS.COM !!

Now available at lids.com are tokidoki hats!  Tokidoki means "sometimes" in Japanese. This Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand was created in 2005 by Italian artist Simone Legno.

There are many tokidoki characters and most of them belong to their own distinct worlds inside of tokidoki. Below are some of the characters featured on the caps.

The Cactus Friends include Sandy, Sabochan, Bastardino, Polpettina, Bruttino, Carina, and the Cactus Pups Series

The Moofia include Mozzarella, Bulleto, Leche, Latte, Mou Mou, Soy, Choco and more

Adios & Ciao Ciao The Grim Reaper and his girlfriend

Skeletrino & Skeletrina

Bruttino & Carina

Captain Coco

 

So Lids Readers, what do you think of tokidoki?  Are you familiar with the line?  What character are you most like? 

The Cactus Friends include Sandy, Sabochan, Bastardino, Polpettina, Bruttino, Carina, and the Cactus Pups Series

The Moofia include Mozzarella, Bulleto, Leche, Latte, Mou Mou, Soy, Choco and more

Adios & Ciao Ciao The Grim Reaper and his girlfriend

Skeletrino & Skeletrina

Bruttino & Carina

Captain Coco

 

So Lids Readers, what do you think of tokidoki?  Are you familiar with the line?  What character are you most like? 

New Book: Ball Cap Nation

A unique new book hit bookstores recently—Ball Cap Nation, A Journey Through the World of America’s National Hat by Jim Lilliefors. A portion of the book tells the story of Hat World/Lids’ beginnings and its position atop the retail industry. Below is an excerpt from the book. 

BALL CAP NATION EXCERPT:

The ball cap story is perhaps most dramatic when told in numbers. Consider: New Era, the world’s largest cap-maker, produced 1.4 million caps in 1982. In 1993, it made 12.3 million. Last year (2008), New Era produced 35 million caps; its revenues topped $350 million.

Hat World, the largest cap retailer, started with a single store in Indiana in 1995. Its founders sensed that there was a growing market for caps that wasn’t being serviced.  Within a few years, Hat World was a national chain with stores in hundreds of shopping malls. In 2001, Hat World acquired Lids, then the largest cap retailer, which was launched in 1993, also with a single store. Hat World/Lids now has about 900 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Revenues for 2008 were $400 million. More than 80 percent of hat sales in the United States are now ball caps. An American invention, the ball cap is sold in nearly every country in the world. Internationally, baseball caps are a $2-$3 billion industry.

# # #

Ball Cap Nation is published by Clerisy Press. The book’s suggested retail is $15.95 and is available through major bookstores chains. It sells for $11.96 on clerisypress.com. More excerpts and book reviews can be read at http://theballcapnation.com.

Fashion Hats and Fedoras at the US Open

The US Open Tennis Championships have been a hot spot for celebrities recently.  With so many photographers around, celebs have been working hard to look fashionable without being too overdone.  The celebrities in attendance have been sporting all the latest fashion looks...including fashion hats!  Here are just a few of the celebs that were rockin' hats and lookin' good.

Actress Nicole Kidman and hubby/musician Keith Urban look on while enjoying some tennis action.  Kidman is seen wearing a fedora with oversized sunglasses.  Looking casual and sophisticated, like Nicole, is easy with fedoras and trilbys. 

(Right) Seann Williams Scott, best known as Stifler from the 1999 movie American Pie, was seen sporting a military style hat at the US Open.  This military hat has just enough style to take a look from boring basics to effortlessly trendy.  Scott has amped up his look by adding a simple military cap to his plaid shirt and jeans.

(Below) Famed singer Tony Bennett sat with a posh group (Ralph Lauren is right above him) at the US Open.  Bennett looked polished, yet relaxed with the addition of a white driver's cap to his navy blue suit and tie.  Over 50 years after Bennett's first album (Because of You, July 1952), Bennett still looks fresh!

 

Lids Readers, do you have a favorite fashion hat or fashion style that you like to wear?  Whose look do you like best: Nicole, Sean or Tony's?  Celebrity fashion always seems to infiltrate "everyday wear" for us "normal people," but this is one look we can wrap our head's around!

New Era Blank hats now available on lids.com

It's been a while since I've blogged but wanted to make you all aware that the New Era Solids are now available on lids.com.  It's the perfect hat for those of you who love the classic 59Fifty shape but don't want to rock a specific brand or team.  Check 'em out!

                                                

Michael Jordan Baseball Hats: Paying Homage to His Airness

It's all been but a formality - but on Friday, September 11th, Michael Jordan will finally be officially inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Most would agree that number 23 is the greatest basketball player of all time, but his impact on the sport might actually be less than his impact on the sports apparel world.

While some could make a legitimate argument that Jordan isn't the greatest hoops player ever, there may be no argument against him being the greatest pitchman of all time. Among his several marketing accomplishments, Jordan is probably most known for elevating Nike into one of the most recognized and richest brands in the world.  MJ's influence is so powerful that Nike gave him his own Jordan Brand line of gear featuring his familiar Jumpman logo. 

Before conquering the world, Jordan began crafting his legend at North Carolina, making Tar Heel Blue a championship color.  He then graduated to the NBA to create more highlight reels and build a dynasty in a Chicago Bulls uniform, turning red and black into the most sought-after color combination in the fashion world.  The popularity of the Jordan-Bulls look got so big, it was speculated that the world's supply of red thread was in danger.

While most would like the forget the Michael Jordan baseball experiment, he no doubt helped inspire sales of Chicago White Sox and Birmingham Barons Hats before returning to the Bulls.

Jordan's third act on the court in D.C. was not much more memorable than his baseball venture, but he did make the Washington Wizards a fashionable item for a short time, if not a playoff contender. These days, Jordan is a part-time owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, but he hasn't used his status as a marketing icon for the team, staying mostly behind the scenes. It'll be interesting to see if that changes. 

So...Lids readers, how much homage are you paying to His Airness these days? Do you have a favorite Michael Jordan-inspired hat - maybe something you might match with your Air Jordan sneakers? He hasn't played in the NBA since 2003, but do you still want to want to Be Like Mike? 

Drumroll, please...and the winners are...

Thanks to all who entered the Lids Gift Card Giveaway.  We were overwhelmed with the number of entries we received and will be holding more contests and sweepstakes in the future. 

Be sure to visit often, you just never know where or when we're going to post a special offer or host a contest.  Stop by Twitter, Facebook, the Lids Blog or Stay Connected by email to get the 411 on the latest happenings.

Thanks again to those hat-lovers who entered and congrats to our winners.

                            Grand Prize:        Jamar S. from California

                            Second Prize:     Ammon C. from Washington

                            Third Prize:         Justin S. from Florida

                            Fourth Prize:       Cheryl P. from Mississippi

                            Fifth Prize:          Leah L. from Arizona

*All winners have been notified by email.

Jay-Z: I Made the Yankee Hat More Famous Than a Yankee Can

It seems like we're up for a Jay-Z media blitz--he seems to be allover the airwaves these days.  His much anticipated album, The Blueprint III, drops next week and is already streaming online for free (and legally).

Hova is also doing a 9/11 benefit concert and Rhapsody premiered this sick commercial that shows him seamlessly changing clothes to reproduce his past album covers. 

We love the the part of the video where Jay-Z dons his New York Yankees hat, including the 59Fifty Black on Black Yankees cap.  On his new track "Empire State of Mind," Jay-Z raps "I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can."  So...do you think there is any truth to that statement, Lids readers?

Custom Hats @ lids.com™

Here at lids.com™ we offer Custom Hats which is cool, IMO.  You can choose from the following:

Prime Designs  Stock Designs   Fonts   Submit your own logo

You can also mix fonts with our graphic designs to create a truly one of a kind hat.

We have seven types of hats available for customization and each type of hat has several styles of hats in many colors to choose from.  Within these types of hats there are many styles of hats to choose from.  Check them out. 

Adjustable  Fitted  Stretch Fit  Bucket  Visor  Knits  Kids Hats

We also offer personalization on many of the licensed hats we carry on lids.com™.  Look for the logo above on the product page (right above the size and quantity section). If the Personalize Your Hat button is available, you can add embroidery to either the left side, right side, or the back of the hat.  We can’t embroider over any logos on the sides, but we can embroider over back logos if they are small enough.  If one of the sides is not available for embroidery it will display "Sorry, embroidery not allowed."

We do not allow profanity of any kind so don't even try. Orders with profanity are sent to our Customer Care department where they will work with the customer to create an approved  design.  If an approved design cannot be agreed upon, the order will be deleted. 

Head over to the Custom Hats area of lids.com™ and make your one of a kind hat now! 

Football Uniforms...

 Are you ready for some football?

It is finally starting to cool down which reminds me that fall…and football season… is right around the corner.  With pre-season underway and Fantasy Football  drafts done, I’m quite excited.  Like most avid sports fans, I arrange my weekend around football games: for me it is Notre Dame on Saturday (hopefully, it won’t be as bad as last year) and the Colts on Sunday. 

On Saturdays, I typically get calls from old college friends who are also watching the games.  We’ll talk on the phone and reminisce about game day traditions, tailgating and the time we met Dickie V…of course, we talk about  the game too.  I may not be in South Bend anymore, but I’m always decked out in my own game day uniform.  It usually consists of my #83 jersey (Jeff Samardzjia, now pitching in the Chicago Cubs system), a Notre Dame hat, some very worn, comfortable, holey jeans that should have probably been thrown away and a pair of flip-flops or tennis shoes--depending on how late in the season it is.  It always makes me miss the good old days that weren’t so long ago, but sometimes seem that way.  I may not be at every home game anymore, but I’ve still got my game day uniform and the memories to go with it. 

Do you have a favorite game day outfit?  How about any superstitions with what you wear, where you sit or what you eat? 

Don't have a game day uniform yet?  Create your own fan uniform by checking out lids.com to see all your favorite team’s items (check out our clearance hats or 2 for $25 hats if your on a college budget).  Enjoy game day and happy football!