LIDS Hat Blog

St. Patty’s Day = True Boston Pride

St. Patty’s day has come and gone, but it will be one to remember (for some). South Boston always throws together a parade you can’t help but get excited for, Irish or not. Being the second largest parade in the country with close to a million people, I couldn’t help but notice my fellow Bostonians reppin’ their green Celtics jerseys and hats. Nothing better than seeing streets filled with true Celtic pride.

St. Patty’s day is a time we say goodbye to winter and I’m confident I speak for everyone in Boston when I say we whole heartedly welcome spring and embrace the warmer weather we’ve been anxiously awaiting. I love my Lids Dog Ear Hat, but I’ll be happy to store it away until next winter. With new styles coming this spring you won’t want to miss a beat. Be the first of your friends to rock your favorite team with styles fresher than Fresh Prince himself. Don’t be “that guy” and show up to a game without sporting your favorite teams’ apparel.

Boston is proud to represent their city, are you? Check out the NEW Lids.com and be sure to support your team if you’re a true fan; don’t be left out! Make sure to check in with the Lids Blog and the Lids Facebook page to take advantage of upcoming promotions for the best Lids deals.

 

Snippity snap, New Era Snapbacks are back!

Snap, snap, snap!  Can you hear it?  Can you hear the sound of Snapbacks in the building?!?

They've arrived.  New Era Snapback hats have arrived!  The last time we had snapback hats, we blew threw them.  They're back, but who knows how long they'll last.  If you're one of the many who have been asking for New Era Snapback hats, get your hands on them while you can. 

The latest selection of styles include MLB New Era Snapbacks, NHL New Era Snapbacks and NBA New Era Snapbacks.  We will continue to get additional teams onto the website in the coming days so stay tuned.  Also look for additional styles in the next few weeks. 

An All-Star Weekend

With football coming to a close, its time to turn our attention to basketball.  We're about to enter the month of March which is known for upsets, underdogs, heartache and happiness, but before we get too ahead of ourselves we have the NBA All-Star game!  This weekend fans can watch the best of the best as the Eastern conference All-Stars take on the Western conference in Los Angeles.  With so many talented players, it's sure to be a good show.

 
 

Who do you think is going to come away with the win: the East or the West?  Will Blake Griffin live up to the hype or will an underdog come away with the win in the dunk competition?  Do you have an old favorite when it comes to past NBA All-Star Slam Dunk performances?  Let's hear what you have to say about the NBA!

   

      
 
 

Hats are so much better than chocolate!

Love is in the air!  Whether you're lovingly gazing into the eyes of someone special, drinking martinis with the girls to celebrate being single or buying chocolate on the cheap because VDay candy is now on sale, we've got a proposition for everyone.  Today is the day to fall in love...with a new hat!  Did we mention that we'll give you 25% off because we LOVE you!  Start falling in love today!

 

New Era Snapbacks Are in the Building!

Ladies and gentleman, the long awaited and much anticipated New Era Snapbacks have arrived!  We ventured out back to our warehouse and ripped open a few boxes because, like you, we couldn't stand the wait any longer. Believe us when we say, they are worth the wait!

Look for these New Era Snapbakcs to hit lids.com very soon!  The New Era Snapbacks will also be available in select stores.  If your local store isn't carrying them though, you can always order from lids.com and have them shipped to the nearest store at no charge!  Just choose the Ship-to-Store option at checkout.  The best part is, no need to worry about sizing issues with these New Era Snapbacks!

Check out some of our behind the scene pics below.  Are you as excited as we are?!?

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/

The Chase Is On: Who Will Sign Lebron James and Other Star Free Agents?

After months of speculation, the NBA free agency signing period has finally arrived! The futures of some of the biggest names in basketball will begin to take shape as stars visit NBA executives all around the country seeking maximum contracts and championship quality teams in an effort to dethrone the Los Angeles Lakers.

As soon as the clock struck 12:01 AM Thursday July 1^st, NBA teams began to roll out the red carpet for the biggest and best free agent class the league has ever seen. 

The most coveted player in the star studded class is none other than Lebron James.  Many NBA teams have been prepping themselves for the summer of 2010 for the last few years in an effort to land the two time league MVP and seriously contend for the NBA title.  The Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets are all expected to make the biggest pushes to sign the featured attraction of the free agent class prying Lebron out of his hometown away from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Other teams are eagerly awaiting the first domino to fall with Lebron’s decision and then the free agent feeding frenzy can begin.  Where do other top free agents like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh end up?

 
Do the Miami Heat stun the league and sign Wade, Bosh, and Lebron effectively changing the competitive landscape of not only the Eastern Conference, but the NBA as a whole? Can the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and the Phoenix Suns resign their star players in hopes of capturing that elusive NBA championship?  We will begin to see answers to many of these questions as free agency heats up the summer. 

Will Lebron see his name in bright lights in New York for the Knicks or the Nets next year? Or will D-Wade be able to lure him down to South Beach to play for the Heat?  Where do you think Lebron will end up? Are looking forward to possibly a dream team situation in Miami with the Heat signing Wade, Lebron, and Bosh, like I am?

Stay tuned to see where Lebron and other top free agents sign by making sure to visit your local LIDS Store or online at lids.com to cop your favorite player’s new team gear.  As always, stay up to date on all the current hat sightings and releases by checking in with the Lids 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.

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

Hat Care and Hat Cleaning Tips

We've been receiving more and more questions about how to care for your caps.  We know your fresh cap isn't nearly as fresh when a huge dirt or sweat stain captures the attention of bystanders.  When your cap goes from a little worn to "warning this hat is dirty and smelly," it's time to give your hat a bath.

Here are a few of our Hat Care and Hat Cleaning tips:

1.  Protect your hat from the very beginning with Water and Stain Repellent.  This product helps water bead up and roll right off your cap.  It also repels dirt and sweat from absorbing into your hat.

2.  When you're ready to give your hat a bath, you'll want to take note of the material.  Wool caps will shrink a bit with water (or sweat for that matter) so dry cleaning is your best bet for 100% wool hats--unless your head has shrunk too.  Most cotton, polyester and cotton/polyester blends will be okay to wash in the dishwasher or washing machine.

3.  To begin the washing process, spray your dirty hat with Cap Cleaner and Deodorizer and let sit for 10-15 minutes.  Next, wet your cap with water and gently scrub with a clean dry sponge or brush.  Rinse.

4.  Finally, wash your cap in the top rack of your dishwasher (do NOT use dish washing detergent!) or launder in a washing machine on a delicate cycle.  Gentle laundry detergent can help get out difficult stains (like Woolite), but always test for colorfast.  Remove and let air dry.  Use the Ball Cap Buddy to help your hat keep its shape while washing.  Like all laundry you do, pay attention to the water temperature.  Hot water can shrink your hat. 

5.  If your hat is beyond help, just visit your local LIDS location or stop by lids.com to pick up a clean cap :)

We hope these hat care and hat cleaning tips have helped.  Please feel free to leave questions or comments.  Thanks for stopping by the LIDS Blog!

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.

 

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.

THE NBA IS BACK!!!!

Basketball season is finally here, and for those hoop junkies looking for a new lid to support their favorite NBA team, Lids.com has what you need!!  Here are a few of the hottest new NBA styles for the upcoming season.  Check them out below.

NBA BG SCRIPT

NBA GRAPHITE

NBA BLACK/WHITE

NBA CENTER COURT

NBA WILDCAT

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?

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? 

SHAQ IS BACK!

Newly acquired Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal shows off his special music talents lip-singing Akon's "Over the Edge."  Since the trade, Cavaliers sales at LIDS have spiked and we anticipate them to be a big hit going into the new season.  Check out all our Cleveland Cavaliers styles at LIDS.

REAL American Idols: Kobe Bryant

2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant just claimed his 4th NBA title.  He averaged 32 points, 7 assists and proved once again that he is the most unstoppable force in the NBA.  Hard work does pay, congratulations on getting back on top.  Kobe Bryant is a REAL American Idol!

KOBE BRYANT HIGHLIGHT MIX

Via KO8E.COM