LIDS Hat Blog

What Color is Your Hat?

Sports fanaticism is not necessarily dominated by one gender.  Women love sports too!  And with that in mind, many manufacturers came out with pink hats and jerseys a few years ago. The thought process must have been something like “Hmm.. how can we get more women to buy new sports hats and jerseys….?  I’ve got it!  Let’s make it PINK! PINK hats! PINK Jerseys!  Pink pink pink!”

There must have been at least one woman (or man) in the room who voiced concern.  “Um.. guys?  The Red Sox don’t wear pink.  The Yankees don’t wear pink.  Even the Cowboys don’t wear pink.  Breast Cancer Awareness month is just that - one month (October). Does pink make sense?”

Regardless, they moved forward with the manufacturing of pink products. And many women bought them!  Or someone bought them - maybe men bought the pink gear for the women.  I know I’ve purchased pink Red Sox onesies for a few baby girl fans.  But when it came to purchasing my own hat, I opted for a classic navy Red Sox cap (see above).

I asked some of my female co-workers about their hat choices.  Jen R. said that she doesn’t wear hats, but that her own Red Sox hat is decidedly not pink.  Michelle C. owns a white Red Sox hat.  Katie G. has three Red Sox hats - one traditional navy, one pink, and one pale yellow.  Apparently, they make hats in “all of the pastel colors.”  In case you’re wondering why we all own Red Sox gear, we live and work in Boston, which obviously means we’re Red Sox fans (or at least most of us are, AHEM Michelle R.).

Looks like the vote is split, but with many of my female co-workers opting for the more traditionally colored hats.  Ladies - do you own pink hats and jerseys?  Guys - do you respect sports-lovin’ girls in pink hats? 

UFC Tale of the Tape Presented by LIDS

Just a brief update from this past weekend's UFC 119 fights in Indianapolis.  As we mentioned on Friday, LIDS was the sponsor for the Tale of the Tape introductions before the fights.  For those of you who missed them, we thought we'd share a few pictures.  We also wanted to say thanks to our great partners at UFC! 

Be sure to get your UFC gear at LIDS so that you're ready for UFC 120 on October 16, 2010!  We're looking forward to some great fights in London!

Above: Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop are introduced to the crowd courtesy of the Tale of the Tape sponsored by LIDS.  Below: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ryan Bader meet the crowd during the Tale of the Tape before taking to the Octagon. 

Store Spotlight: Sin City’s #1 Hat Provider

Store:        LIDS

Location:  Fashion Show Mall
                   3200 Las Vegas Blvd South 2550
                   Las Vegas, NV 89109

Status:      Certified Fresh

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I was able to make the most of the opportunity, visiting everything from the casinos to the lavish hotels to the luxury shopping, which of course included a stop a LIDS store.  I met up with two of my best buddies, Matty and Raul, to do all of the above.  Amidst of all of the partying and lounging poolside, we decided to venture out to Fashion Show Mall to check out the LIDS retail store.  

The Fashion Show Mall is a great way to take a break from the hot weather and to take care of some shopping in the comfort of air conditioning, especially in the sweltering August summer heat. 

We walked through the doors of the LIDS Las Vegas store and immediately became entranced with the customization station that allows you to add your own personal touch to most of the products offered in the store. After the quick tutorial from a helpful LIDS employee, we began brainstorming what customization we should put on the new Yankee fitted hats we were about to purchase (as the three of us are all diehard Yankee fans, much to my Boston boss’s chagrin). After being deadlocked between names, nicknames or other perhaps inflammatory comments about rival teams, we began to explore the rest of the store.

This Vegas location offered a great selection of fedoras displayed prominently as you enter, and definitely was the proper attire for any scene in Vegas from the cabanas by the pool to the bar at the club.  The Fashion Mall LIDS Store offered the full array of products from fedoras to fitteds to sunglasses, basically everything you would need to stay fresh in the City of Sin.  

Whether you are visiting Vegas for a wild bachelor weekend with the boys or a spa escape with all of your  best girlfriends, LIDS has you covered from straw hats to shield the sun while you lay out by the pool or the fashionable fedora to set off your club look. Lids has 9 different locations spread across Sin City, so you can grab your hat fresh off your plane at McCarran International Airport or stop by one of the locations located on the strip. Next time you visit Vegas make sure to hit up one of the many Lids locations and finish off your look with a fresh hat or fedora. 

UFC 119: Tale of the Tape Sponsored by LIDS

Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop will step into the Octagon this Saturday night during UFC 119 in Indianapolis.  Before the fights though, be on the lookout for the Tale of the Tape sponsored by LIDS! 

LIDS is headquartered in Indianapolis and this weekend's fights have several Indiana connections.  The Tale of the Tape will proudly introduce Chris Lytle, an Indianapolis native and crowd pleaser, Matt Mitrione, a former Purdue University football player, Sean McCorkle, also from Indianapolis and Steve Lopez who hails from South Bend, Ind.  Look for these and other fighter introductions during the Tale of the Tape...presented by LIDS!  

Whether you're going to the fights in Indy or getting the pay-per-view and watching it with friends, don't forget to get your UFC gear.  We strongly advise looking the part and not necessarily acting the part.  Those beverages might make you feel like you can take on anyone, but you probably can't take on everyone.  So remember, look the part with UFC gear from LIDS, don't act the part...unless your Chris Lytle.

Which fight are you looking forward to the most?  Any predictions for Fight of the Night?

 

 

The Rays Play with Plaid

Last month, the Tampa Bay Rays donned plaid blazers in Rays colors during a trip to the West coast.  Rays Manager, Joe Maddon has embraced the concept of creating theme road trips while the Rays travel.  So far this season, the team has dressed in all white while in Miami (thank you, P. Diddy) and has sported hockey jerseys while in Toronto. The team has also participated in Urban Cowboy and Johnny Cash themed roadtrips, just to name a few.

The plaid Rays blazers, thoughtfully named BRaysers, created quite the buzz after the Rays bullpen donned the jackets while making their way from the dugout to the bullpen. As a result of the fanfare, New Era has created a lmited edition BRayser inspired 59Fifty Cap.  The Rays will wear the BRayser hat during tonight's game in New York. 

If you're a diehard Rays fan or just a fashionista, you'll want to get your hands on one of these hats quickly.  Currently, this limited edition hat is available at both the LIDS and Sports Fan-Attic stores at the West Shore Mall in Tampa, Florida.  If you don't live in the Tampa area, no worries!  The BRayser hat and a BRayser t-shirt will be available for purchase at lids.com in the coming weeks. 

In your opinion, should teams have more freedom to change up their attire or are you an advocate for sticking to the classics?  Share your comments with us or send us a Tweet or Facebook post. 

A New Season, A New Lucky Outfit

While it may not feel like fall--it was a whopping 96 degrees in Indianapolis yesterday, fall officially begins tonight at 11:09 pm EDT.  Like any season, there are some great traditions that are essential to ushering in autumn.  For me, it isn't officially fall until I've had a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, lit a fall scented candle, made a pot of chili, spent an entire weekend watching football (preferably with a cold beverage) and got a new lucky outfit for my team--the Colts. 

While some people like to hang onto old hats or jerseys as their lucky charm, I prefer to change up the energy from season to season.  Don't get me wrong, I rewear old hats and jerseys, but each season I have to find a lucky hat, jersey or t-shirt that will be my lucky "go-to" item for the year.  Personally, I snagged this slightly threadbare NFL women's t-shirt that is uber comfy and the Delray Mesh Adjustable NFL hat.  However, I know LOTS of you have been requesting fitted NFL hats to add to your collection and kick off both the football and fall season.

So if you're like me and like to welcome autumn with open arms and a new outfit, check out the latest in NFL fitted hats or grab a new NFL jersey or hoody to create your "go-to" look for the year. 

NFL Fitted Caps at lids.com

Do you have any other traditions that you absolutely must partake in to make it really feel like fall?  Or do you have you eye on one particular item from LIDS that you'd like as your "go-to" outfit? 

If it goes into the stands, is it the fans?

Running back, Brandon Jacobs, lost his cool during the New York Giants' loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night.  It appeared that Jacobs was upset after he was stopped for no gain on a rushing attempt and tossed his helmet into the stands during the third quarter of the game.  He later stated the toss was unintentional and was trying to throw his helmet behind the visitors' bench.
 
The helmet found its way in to the hands of a Colts fan, who refused to give up the helmet when provoked by security.  Eventually, security obtained the helmet, but not before multiple fans put up a fight to keep the authentic NY Giants head gear. 

Do you think the fan should have been allowed to keep the helmet?

Don’t forget lids.com offers a variety of NFL Deluxe Replica Helmets to all those NFL fans who want to get a great helmet at a great value (without the hassle from a security guard)!

Sports Themed Weddings

At the age of 29, it seems I’m surrounded by people getting married. Every wedding I’ve been to has its charms, but truth be told, they’re all pretty similar. Two people are in love, invite a bunch of people, have a ceremony, and host a party. Sometimes inside, occasionally outside, if you’re lucky - with an open bar.

But there’s one wedding I’m really looking forward to next year, and that’s the one that my friend Mel is considering on holding at the Washington Nationals Stadium. Well, that or the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame. Either way, it’s a win-win for wedding guests and for the sports-loving couple!

At the Washington Nationals Stadium, part of the event package includes batting practice for everyone! And at the Basketball Hall of Fame, everyone can dunk basketballs - you don’t have to be Kobe Bryant tall, either, since the basketball hoops are at varying heights.

So… should you have your wedding at a stadium? Maybe, but you definitely have to want something a little non-traditional. Mel is still planning on wearing a white dress, carrying flowers, and walking down an aisle… but instead of fancy swirls and romantic patterns, her invitations and favors will be sports-themed. Personally, I’m hoping she has a cake shaped like a ballfield or a basketball court since we all know fun cakes taste better too.

Whichever venue Mel and Jake choose, you can bet I’ll be sporting my favorite fan gear. I’ll just have to wait for her to choose a venue before I pick out my hat and jersey (or dress, if she goes the traditional route). My only question is about the gift - if it’s a sporty wedding, should I get the happy couple a sporty gift, like Celtics tickets..?

Have you been to a sports-themed wedding? If so, any tips for a newbie?

 

Photo Source 1: http://www.junshien.com/3815/san-jose-baseball-stadium-wedding/
Photo Source 2: http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/category/ceremony-reception/2009/04/27/bubbly-bride-sports-themed-wedding-ideas/

LIDS Interview Session in Minnesota

 

LIDS currently has opportunities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and is actively looking for individuals to join the TEAM in our District Manager in Training Program.  This comprehensive 9-12 month training program will prepare an experienced retail candidate to become a successful District Sales Manager within the LIDS Family.

Qualified candidates should possess these requirements:

• Multi-unit Retail Management, Area Manager, Training Manager or Retail Manager of a high volume specialty retail location for a minimum of three years.
  
• Ability to relocate.
• Proven supervisory skill with a record for excellence in sales performance and operational control.
• Passionate about developing a team to exceed expectations in all areas of the business and to be successful in their career.
  
• Proven ability to perform independently with minimal supervision.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally in a clear, audible, and gramatically correct manner.
  
• Ability to operate a computer, as well as maneuver relative software programs.
  
• Possess a current valid driver's license, certificate of insurance coverage and the ability to drive an automobile.
  
• Driving required for up to 100% of the daily work schedule.
• Standing required for up to 90% of the daily work schedule.
  
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings.
  
• Strong knowledge of sports and competitive environment.

We are currently scheduling interviews in the Minneapolis area. If you or someone you know is interested and meet the above requirements, please submit a resume and cover letter that reflects your experience and abilities to bud.williams@lids.com. Walk-ins are welcome; however please bring your resume and cover letter to the LIDS Interview session.

Interviewing at the:
Country Inns & Suites
2221 Killebrew Drive
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952)854-5555 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
11:30am to 6:00pm