LIDS Hat Blog

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. 

Celebrity Sunglasses without the Celebrity Price

Celebrities are constantly wearing sunglasses to hide their faces from the stares of onlookers and overzealous paparazzi, not to mention the sun.  As I page through the gossip magazines, watch celebrity news shows and devour sports websites, it is abundantly evident that shades are the way to look cool, calm and collected in front of prying eyes.  

This season athletes and celebrities have been spotted wearing vintage inspired sunglasses similar to the Ray-Ban wayfarer that first surfaced in the early 1950's.  This wayfarer sunglass style was a staple in the 1950's and 1960's and again in the 1980's thanks to product placement in popular movies and shows such as Risky Business, Miami Vice and The Breakfast Club.  The popular style faded during the 1990's, but made another resurgence in the new millennium.  The vintage style can now be seen gracing the faces of young Hollywood, Top 40 musicians and professional athletes alike. 

If you're like me, you refuse to pay for the brand name shades, because you know you'll lose or break them; however, I still want to be fashionable!  Thankfully, LIDS has several hot new shades for a fraction of the price, but with the same iconic wayfarer look.  So if you want to look like a celebrity, but don't have the celebrity budget to back it up, check out the latest iLIDS sunglass collection.  These sunglasses are two for $20 and up the ante on any look.   Don't be caught without your iLIDS...you never know when paparazzi will follow you to the grocery store, movie theater or while shopping at LIDS!

Justin Timberlake, Joe Jonas and Courtney Cox Arquette have all been seen sportin' vintage "nerd" wayfarer glasses.  These stars prove a little nerd goes a long way!

If you're looking for a darker lens, think about adding a funky color or pattern to a classic frame for some extra zip.  Stars like Jessica Alba, Sienna Miller, Paris Hilton, Liv Tyler and Kirsten Dunst all crank up the volume with colorful frames!  Can you imagine all the ways you could wear these wayfarer glasses?

Terrell Owens, the latest addition to the Cincinnati Bengals, manages to pair his hip wayfarer shades with another perfectly in style accessory--the straw fedora!

Saddle Up For The End of Summer With A Straw Hat!

With only about a month of summer left, many people are flocking to the nearest beach or to a great concert with their friends in order to soak up as much  sun as possible.  The summer is always a great time to catch up with your friends at a beautiful outdoor venue and enjoy some of your favorite tunes.  Many of  music’s biggest and brightest stars are touring across the country this year including Keith Urban, Jack Johnson, Tim McGraw, Dave Matthews Band, Lady Antebellum, Tom Petty, Justin Beiber, Lady Gaga and many others. 

While traditional cowboy hats are the norm among many of country music’s biggest names, many concert goers rock out in straw hats to set off their summer look.  While country music fans love to get decked out in full country gear – from their straw hats all the way down to their cowboy boots, others have been taking a cue from celebrity style opting for the more chill, casual straw fedora for their tailgating and concert look.  Ashlee Simpson (above) wears a straw fedora and illustrates straw hats aren't just for country music artists any longer.    

Whether gearing up for the beach with a sun hat or catching a concert in a straw hat, be sure to visit your local LIDS retail store or online at lids.com to grab all your straw hats.  As always, stay up to date on all the current hat happenings and releases by checking in daily with the LIDS Blog.

Photo:  Ashley Olsen (left), Drew Barrymore (center) and Cameron Diaz (right) all sport super chic straw fedora hats to compliment their stylish looks. 

   

Photos: Ashley Tisdale (left) rocks a straw fedora hat with a casual light, layered look.  Jessica Simpson (right) flaunts a classic straw cowboy hat with a flirty dress and cowboy boots. 

LIDS Now Offers International Shipping

We are continually trying to improve our selection and services by listening to your suggestions.  One of the most frequent comments we receive is that we should ship to other countries.  As a result, we recently enhanced our online shopping experience for Canadian shoppers by launching lids.ca.  In addition, we are pleased to announce that we have taken another step to offer awesome hats around the globe! 

Introducing...(drum roll, please)...International Shipping at LIDS!  We have partnered with a trusted third-party company to fulfill orders for our international customers. The items in your cart will automatically be transferred into an iShopUSA cart where you may pay with international credit cards, PayPal and bank wire transfers. iShopUSA will process your payment and guarantee delivery.

Check out the steps below to find out how you can get your hands on hats--no matter where you're at!

Step 1: Shop lids.com and find your killer hat!  Select your size and add it to your cart. 

Step 2:  When you're ready to checkout, select the gray International Checkout button (just below the red Secure Checkout button).

Step 3:  After clicking the green Proceed to iShopUSA button, the items in your cart will be transferred to your iShopUSA cart.  Upon clicking this button, you will be leaving lids.com.

Step 4: Continue checking out through iShopUSA.  You will be given the option to select your currency and add in your shipping information.

 

New Fashion Hats for Spring and Summer

We're all tired of the cold and snow which is why we've decided to look forward to spring and summer (instead of looking outside at the inclement weather)!  New styles will soon be arriving in stores and online.  These killer fashion hats are the perfect accessory to make your new spring threads stand out! 

Below is a SNEAK PEAK at some of the latest styles to be popping up this spring.  Check them out and be sure to stop back by the Lids Blog to see when all these new styles are available.

 

Linen 6 Panel Driver (Shown left in Olive)

Nothing says spring like linen!  This lightweight driving cap can turn even the blandest outfit into a well-styled look.  Perfectly preppy but easy to pull off with any outfit. 

Trilby 10 (Shown right in Black)

The trilby is by no means a new style; however, we've updated the Trilby 08 to be more in line with changing trends.  The Trilby 10 features a shorter brim and lower crown.  The update makes it very wearable!  

PL Straw Fedora w/Grosgrain Band (shown left in Natural)

Straw hats are an excellent compliment to your summer look--throw on some shades and a pair of comfy sandals and you'll be paparazzi ready!  This straw fedora, much like the trilby, has also been updated with a shorter brim and lower crown.  The grosgrain band adds a playful touch and a punch of color. 

 

PL Patterned 6 Panel Driver 10 (shown right in Brown)

Tonal patterns are great for spring.  This brown plaid driver has enough texture and pattern to make it interesting, but not overbearing.  This driving cap (or ivy cap) is very versatile--the neutral color and classic silhouette make it must have item to add to your collection.

Remember, these are SNEAK PEAKS, but all of the hats shown today will be arriving in stores and online soon...very soon!  Check back often to find out when you can get your hands on these fabulous fashion hats.  Be sure to leave us your comments and ideas for future styles on the Lids Blog, Facebook or Twitter.

Lids Black Friday Midnight Madness Super Sale

Lids Black Friday Midnight Madness Super Sale...woah, that is a long title.  Lucky for you though, that long title means lots of savings!

Select Lids/Hat World/Hat Shack stores will open at midnight on Black Friday to offer an added convenience for those looking to score some great deals. Stop by any of these participating Midnight Madness Super Sale stores to experience the Super Sale on Black Friday at midnight. Details of the sale are below:

• Marked down headwear will be adjusted to only $5!
• New Era fitted caps that were previously $15 and $20 will be adjusted to only $10!
• New Era fitted caps that were previously $25 will be adjusted to only $15!
• Marked down apparel will be adjusted to only $10!

*See store for details. Super Sale excludes Ed Hardy merchandise.

In addition to the Super Sale on marked down merchandise, Lids will be offering Super BOGO. Buy One, Get One half off! This includes most New Era fitted caps and branded action hats. Typically, our fitted fashion caps and branded hats are excluded from BOGO, but not for this very special day. Stop by Lids/Hat World/Hat Shack to stock up on killer caps for a fraction of the price with Super BOGO!

View Participating Midnight Madness Stores Here

*See store for details. Offers may vary between stores.

Super Bogo: Save Big with a Lids Discount

We all like to save money and during the holiday season, we especially like to stretch our dollar.  Soooo, in true holiday spirit we're taking a cue from Santa and fattening up BOGO to Super BOGO. 

Those of you who frequent Lids often may be familiar with our amazing BOGO specials--Buy One, Get One half off!  It is great sale that allows you to load up on killer caps for a fraction of the price.  However, for a limited time only (until November 29th to be exact), we are expanding BOGO to almost every cap--including most fitted caps and branded action hats.  Typically, our fitted fashion caps and branded hats are excluded from BOGO, but not on Super BOGO!  

Visit lids.com or lids.ca to get your holiday shopping started without the hassle.  With Super BOGO, you can even afford to give yourself a nice little gift!

*Canadian and US store BOGO sales may vary.  See store for details.  

Lids.ca is Now Open!

Many of our Canadian customers have been waiting a long time for a Lids Canadian website.  Well, my friends, the wait is over!  We are excited to announce the introduction of lids.ca!  We are pumped to offer this additional convenience for all of our hat-loving Canadians, eh!

Lids.ca will look and feel like the current Lids website; however, you'll notice a few great features that we hope will make your life easier.  

• Lids.ca displays pricing in Canadian dollars--no need for your currency converter here.
• Lids.ca offers FREE shipping to your local Canadian store.  Simply order online and choose which store you'd like to pick your order up.  We'll ship it to your local store at no cost to you and an associate will contact you when your order has arrived.
• Lids.ca rewards you with FREE ground shipping when you purchase $60 or more. 
• Lids.ca is DUTY FREE! All orders are shipped from our Canadian Distribution Center so no duty will be charged to your order.

While lids.ca offers many great new features for our Canadian customers, you'll still see the latest and greatest assortment of hats and caps and superior customer service that you've come to expect.  We're dedicated to bringing you Your Team, Your Style, Your Size!

Check out lids.ca and leave us a comment on your thoughts.  Thanks to all of our loyal customers, wherever you may be.

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!

Goodbye to a legend

Today is the day a pop icon will be laid to rest.  Despite the fact Michael Jackson died almost two weeks ago and coverage of the story is all the media seems to have followed over the past 12 days, it still seems so surreal to me.  Maybe once the memorial service is over and the dust begins to clear a little, I will be able to believe the King of Pop is gone and we're left with only his legacy.  And his amazing music. 

We know the impact his life had on pop music and music videos but I wonder what sort of impact his death will have on pop culture.  Within hours of announcing his death, the 25th anniversary reissue of Thriller was the number 1 album sold on amazon.com.  I think we'll also see a resurgence of Michael's flashy fashion sense.  Maybe studded, cropped jackets?  Maybe we'll even see a single white glove worn by those a little more daring?  I definitely think we'll see more fedoras.  This is a trend that has been happening for a while anyway.  Watching all the media coverage of Michael's life and death I realized how frequently he rocked some sort of fedora.  Then searching msnbc.com today, I couldn't believe the number of mourners and fans that were wearing them.  Tribute or fashion I'm not sure, but I think we can definitely expect this style to be even more prevalent in the coming weeks and months.  (The first three pictures are from LA this week) 

 

Photos via msnbc.com

Thank you Michael!

Meet the First Lady

I was given the nickname "First Lady of the Hat Game" (First Lady for short) by one of our sales reps because I was the first female buyer here at HW & L!  I am responsible for buying all of our blank and private label hats.  A few years back we decided to really focus on building our private label program and it has grown each year since.  It has been successful not only because of its competitive price points, but mainly because it offers our customers something a little different...fashion sihouettes!  We have a great selection of fedoras, ivys, and militarys which are really driving the category right now.  This is partly because celebrities such as Brad Pitt are rarely seen not wearing some sort of fashion headwear...even his son Knox is into them!

       

Photo via buzznet.com

Stay tuned for the latest in fashion headwear trends!

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