LIDS Hat Blog

FRESH Check: The Boys of Entourage Return

The HBO Hit series Entourage makes a triumphant return to TV, with Sunday nights finally regaining some excitement ahead of another long work week.  As many are anxious to see where Vince’s career has taken him or how the wedding planning is going for E and Sloan, Lids is pumped to see what fresh hats the boys will be showcasing in the much anticipated 7^th season.

At the beginning, Turtle was the main attraction, as he always sported a different fresh fitted hat to match the latest pair of Nikes he was rocking while cruising around Los Angeles with Vince.  Although Turtle still rocks the occasional New York Yankees fitted hat, he switched up his game this past season and was often seen sporting a variety of Kangol hats.

E and Johnny Drama have also been spotted trying to ‘up’ their respective hat games.  E shows his love for his native New York by sporting various New York Islanders hats, as a dedication to his beloved hometown hockey team. When Johnny Drama wasn’t wearing the infamous Viking helmet from his role as Tarvold, the star of “Viking Quest”, he has been seen in various Fedoras and other fashion hats while lounging with his mega star younger brother.

Tune into HBO this Sunday night at 10:30 PM EST for the season premiere of Entourage to see if Turtle is repping his hometown New York Knicks hat or staying classy with a Kangol Ivy. Stay up-to-date on all the current hat sightings and releases by checking in daily with the Lids Blog. Also make sure to stop by a local Lids Retail Store or online at Lids.com to pick up any of the latest styles that “Gatsby and the Funky Bunch” are seen wearing in the newest season of Entourage.

Last At Bat At The Blatt

 

This year's College World Series is in full swing in Omaha, Nebraska, and 2010 marks LIDS' 10th year there. We are sporting two locations outside famed Rosenblatt Stadium -- a LIDS-branded mobile 45-foot LIDS trailer, and a 60-foot tent in the parking lot of world-famous ice cream and burger joint Zesto. The LIDS stores are located approximately half-a-mile apart on 13th Street, the main drag that runs outside the stadium and serve as bookends to all CWS foot and vehicular traffic.

The party-like atmosphere along 13th Street during the two-week event can be characterized as a mix between Marti Gras, spring break, and a NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. A few vuvuzelas have even been heard trumpeting along 13th Street. Adding to the buzz this year is the fact that after 60 years this is the last year CWS will be played at Rosenblatt Stadium. The series will move to a brand new stadium in downtown Omaha next year making this year the “last at bat at the Blatt.”

Making their first-ever appearance at CWS, Texas Christian (TCU) has emerged as the local fan favorite, and LIDS has been rocking loads of Horned Frogs product.

Five teams currently remain in the eight-team double elimination tournament. You can follow all the action on ESPN through the end of the month.

LIDS wants to know if you have ever been to the College World Series. Any ex-players out there? What are your fondest memories of Omaha and The Blatt?

   
 

 

 

 

The Official "Brand" of the Fan

As LIDS works with hat manufacturers to ensure we carry the hottest fashions in the latest trends, we periodically like to check out in more detail the background of each product line.  With a great tie into the American past-time, we look at '47 Brand (formerly Twins Enterprise, Inc.) - a company that has been able to get baseball fans game ready for over six decades. 

Dubbed "The Official Hat of the Fan," the brand's early beginnings stem from the streets just outside of Fenway Park in Boston, Mass., in 1947. As the numerous baseball stadiums around the country provide a field of dreams for scores of players, the launch of the company now known as ’47 Brand was its own dream for two young entrepreneurs.  Twin teens Arthur and Henry D’Angelo created the foundation for their company through the selling of pennants, which they created themselves, to fans attending Red Sox games.  As demand increased for additional Red Sox souvenirs, the duo officially set up shop across the street from the entrance to the ballpark.  From there business took off and as they say, the rest is history!  Today the Company is best known for its signature worn-in look, “the Franchise,” which has become a popular choice for those sportin’ the ball cap nationwide (See past LIDS blog posts regarding singer Kenny Chesney and make-up artist Bobbi Brown).

Having grown immensely from the early days outside Fenway Park, today ‘47 Brand has a presence in sports stadiums, college bookstores as well as LIDS locations across the U.S.

Check out this video to see the progression of the company that is now ’47 Brand!  Also visit lids.com or most LIDS locations to pick up the newest '47 Brand products including the Cornerstone Franchise!

Source: '47 Brand

Celebrity Sightings at LIDS

LIDS works hard to constantly provide the latest and greatest styles in headwear, so its not surprising that even the stars can’t help but stop in on occasion to check out the selection.  With so many LIDS locations nationwide, it's easy for celebs to pop in whether they're at home, on location or on tour. 

In fact, Bieber Fever recently struck LIDS at Lenox Mall in Atlanta, Ga., as teen star Justin Beiber popped in to make a quick purchase.  We're guessing this teen didn't have to ask Mom for money. 

Rapper Lloyd Banks also dropped into a LIDS store last month.  Thanks to the sales crew at LIDS Store 5139 at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, N.Y., Banks is now a member of the LIDS Club where he'll save 20% on all his headwear and embroidery purchases and 10% on apparel and accessories purchases!  Hey, stars like to save money too!

Have you ever spotted a celebrity while shopping at LIDS?  What celebrity would you most like to see in a LIDS store?  Any guesses on which hats Justin Bieber and Lloyd Banks picked up?  Leave us your comments on the LIDS Blog, Facebook or Twitter.  

 

WORLD CUP 2010

The wait is over...World Cup 2010 is finally here!  Can the Italians repeat as champions?  Will the US make a run for the ages?  Can Messi live up to all the Maradona comparisons?  All our questions will be answered June 11th.  Make sure to represent your country with pride by wearing one of the new styles found only at lids.com.  Check out some of the new World Cup hats below.  Which country will you be rooting for?

ADIDAS PHENOM

USA

ENGLAND

MLS SWEEPER

MEXICO

USA

ADIDAS THREE-STRIPE

BRAZIL

MEXICO

For a limited time all Adidas hats will eligible for free shipping at lids.com.  This includes all Adidas World Cup gear too!  This offer expires at 11:59 pm on 6/16/2010.  Enter promo code ADIDASFGS at checkout. 

One Game and You Know His Name: Strasburg

Photo from MLB.com

Yesterday (long before last night's game) we received a Tweet requesting LIDS carry Stephen Strasburg player t-shirts.  Like all requests we receive, we pass them along to our Buying Team where they evaluate the request and determine if it makes sense for us to purchase or restock a particular item.

After receiving the request yesterday, we went through the same process.  In this case, we already had the Stephen Strasburg shirts on order, but the shirts were not available to be shipped until he had played six innings in the Majors and was an official Major League player.  After pitching seven innings last night for the Washington Nationals where he struck out fourteen batters, not only did he become an official Major League player, but he quickly cemented his name in the minds of baseball fans everywhere. 

There was plenty of hype surrounding Strasburg's Major League debut, but whether or not he could deliver under that kind of pressure in his first Major League game was yet to be determined.  However, Strasburg squashed any doubts with last night's performance and lucky for you (and us), Strasburg shirts are now on their way!

So if you're ever wondering whether we read each and every Tweet, Facebook post or blog comment, the answer is YES!  We constantly look for ways to hear what you, our customers, want.  Had Strasburg not been cloaked in hype or delivered such a high caliber performance, we would have looked directly to our customers to determine whether player specific product was warranted.  So thanks to all of our loyal customers out there Tweeting, Facebooking and blogging with us. 

We're excited about seeing Strasburg play in the future and imagine it won't be long before Nationals Park is littered with #37 t-shirts and jerseys.  We'll post again as soon as the Strasburg apparel arrives.  In the meantime, you can dress like Strasburg and other Nationals players with the Washington Nationals Authentic Collection cap at LIDS.

Chiddy Bang Shout Out to LIDS

At LIDS, we're constantly working to stay on top of the latest trends whether it be in fashion, music or sports.  Ultimately, it helps us provide the most fashionable headwear and...well...it's fun.

In our quest for all things cool, hip, sick and ill, we stumbled upon Chiddy Bang.  Chiddy Bang is a Philly based duo comprised of Chiddy (emcee) and Xaphoon Jones (DJ/producer) who combine elements of indie rock and electronica with some good ole fashioned spittin' (their words, not ours).  Not only do we love the fact that Chiddy is wearing a fitted hat (shown right) in their recent music video "Opposite of Adults", but LIDS also receives a shout near the 2:10 mark.  Check out the music video and let us know your thoughts about the group.  Do you have suggestions for other hot artists to watch for or perhaps you've seen or heard a LIDS mention we should know about??? If so, let us know by leaving a comment on the LIDS Blog or contact us on Twitter or Facebook.  Also, if you're interested in picking up Chiddy's hat, visit LIDS today.

According to their Facebook page, Chiddy Bang like to think of themselves as "kings of the basement party jam."  We'd rock with Chiddy Bang at a basement party any day, would you? 

Chew On This

Most Americans who watch professional sports do so on a television set rather than in person. Not surprisingly, they also use major sports events like the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals (which begin today) as an excuse to throw parties and eat like linebackers.

Well the National Basketball Association is now giving fans a chance to consume something else: team logos.

Starting next season, basketball fans ordering a pizza with their favorite toppings can also get it topped with an edible logo of their beloved team for an extra five bucks. Made of sugar, starch and food coloring, each logo is designed to melt into the cheese after the pizza has been baked and sliced. Some 1,200 pizza parlors across America will be supplied with the logos.

That's not the only logo-laden fare for fans.

The NBA is also introducing "NBA Pro Toast Toasters" this year, featuring team logos seared onto toasted sandwiches, with logo panini sandwich presses coming next year. Yes, the NBA is literally branding team logos (on bread).

Fans will find NBA team logos showing up on a wide variety of consumer items, too, due to the league's aggressive licensing strategy. With worldwide merchandise sales coming in at about $3 billion annually, licensing has become an important revenue stream for the NBA.

The NBA is hungry for more. Sal LaRocca, NBA's global merchandising head, tells USA Today, "As key licensing categories have matured, it's an ongoing goal of the NBA to expand the brand into places that may attract new customers."  So don't be surprised if you see a professional basketball team's logo on... well, just about anything.

While we don't carry logo toasters, logo pizzas (or edible hats for that matter), we are adding a wide assortment of team licensed products to lids.com.  Check out some of our newest team logo novelty items such as mugs, license plates, neck pillows, decals, patches, ties and pennants just to name a few.  Of course, we'll continue to carry the latest and greatest hats and caps around! 

Source: brandchannel.com

As Seen On TV: Stars & Stripes Cap

This past weekend many Americans celebrated Memorial Day by spending time outside with friends and family, enjoying barbecues and of course, remembering and honoring those men and women who have died serving their country.  Major League Baseball was no different.  For the third consecutive year, MLB and New Era have teamed up to produce the Authentic Collection Stars & Stripes cap.  This special Stars & Stripes cap becomes the official on-field cap of Major League Baseball on Memorial Day, Independence Day (4th of July) and Patriot Day (September 11th). 

The Stars & Stripes cap features the American flag etched into the team's logo and for the first time, has an off-white crown with red or blue brims (the Blue Jays hat incorporates a Maple Leaf design instead of the "Stars & Stripes").  As in previous years, MLB Properties will donate all of the proceeds it receives from the Stars & Stripes cap sales to Welcome Back Veterans.  This apolitical program addresses the needs of returning American Veterans and their families.  As a result of the Welcome Back Veterans fund, over 30 non-profit agencies across the country, have received grants totaling more than $8.3 million to focus on meeting veterans' greatest needs, including mental health and job training/placement.

This year, don't miss out on your opportunity to help support a worthy cause and your favorite team.  Check out some pics of these great caps in action and get your 2010 AC Stars & Stripes cap today!