LIDS Hat Blog

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

Whalers Hat - Remember the Whale

Growing up in Connecticut during the 90s, I was a huge Hartford Whalers fan.  Unfortunately for Whaler fans, our favorite hockey team moved south to North Carolina and became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997.  Besides watching some old Kevin Smith movies or popping in NHL '94 on SNES, remembering the Whale has been a tough go over the past ten plus years since there wasn't much officially released Whaler apparel from the NHL.

But this past summer, Connecticut's trademark on the Whalers expired and the NHL has started to expand the selection.  Whalers jerseys are even making their return in video game land as an alternate uniform on the NHL 2K10. 

Lids recently added some new Hartford Whalers hats, so there are more styles to buy.  My personal favorite Whaler hat is this 59Fifty fitted dogear hat from New Era.  It's great for those cold New England winters.  I also like this classic easy fitted Franchise Whalers baseball cap when it's not so frigid. 

   

Check out this great selection of Hartford Whalers hats and caps at Lids now and help Remember the Whale!

 

Yankees World Series Champions

Yep, that's right.  Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard that the Yankees took home their 27th World Series Championship last night.  Don't these guys look good in their World Series Champ hats and t-shirts?  Of course they do!

In the midst of celebrating, I'm sure you're wondering where you, too, can get your Yankees World Series Champ product.  Well, lucky for you, you've stumbled across the most awesomest blog ever and we happen to know the perfect place to get your World Series Champ hat and t-shirt.  Visit lids.com or select Lids stores (mainly NYC area) to get your Yankees World Series Champ hat and Yankees World Series Champ t-shirt. 

Celebrate the victory in style with your very own World Series Championship gear.  Afterall, you've spent countless hours rooting on your Yankees, following the dating life of A-Rod and defending bogus remarks about salary caps.  While you may not have been on the field, you're as much a part of this win as they are, right?!?

Knit Hats: Are you ready for the cold?

At Lids we take pride in offering the biggest and best selection of cold weather headwear styles in the market.  Whether you prefer to show support for your favorite team or just want to make a fashion statement, we have it all!!!  Visit lids.com or your local LIDS store to see what's new for this winter.  Here is a sampling of some our hot new styles....

TEAM STYLES

BRANDS

FASHION

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!

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? 

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?

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!

Brett Favre: Legend or Lame?

If you haven't heard by now, you're living under a rock.  Every sports reporter and news station under the sun is reporting that Brett Favre has signed with the Minnesota Vikings to play another year.  Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but the contract is worth a reported $10-12 million.  The Minnesota Vikings will hold a press conference tonight, but are already touting his presence on their website...see below.  

People have been grumbling around our office that "he just won't go away" and "how many times will he retire?"  Others shake their head in disbelief and feel like the legend that was Brett Favre is being tarnished and diminished by a guy who just can't give it up. 

So what do you think?  Will Brett Favre continue to be viewed as the legend that led the Packers or is this just lame?  Would you be willing to walk away from $10-12 million in order to protect a legacy you've built?  Or would you try and show 'em (again) that you've got one last fight left in ya?

Only time will tell whether he really has some fight left in him and what this will do to his legacy.  In the meantime, I'm sure I'm not sure that I'm ready 4 some football, but I'm definitely ready for some football!  You?

Photo via vikings.com

LIDS Gift Card Giveaway

Thanks for checking out the LIDS Blog.  Whether you've come here deliberately or stumbled upon us, we're happy to have you here.  The LIDS Blog will provide you with the latest news, product updates and happenings at LIDS.  Don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed so that you never miss out on what's going down at the LIDS Blog. 

We are also excited to announce our presence on Facebook and Twitter.  Be sure to check out these new outlets to receive VIP access and live updates.  You can also get backstage access and help us cater to your wants and needs by telling us your preferences in our Stay Connected center. 

Don't forget to stop by Facebook and sign up for the LIDS Gift Card Giveaway. Again, thanks for being a member of the loyal LIDS community!  We look forward to continued conversations with hat lovers everywhere!

 

Football Fever

I don't know about you, but as training camp wraps up for the season, my excitement for football only continues to grow!  And lids.com has all the gear for the football fan in you including sports apparel (jerseys, sweatshirts, t-shirts, kids, etc.) and novelty items.  Whether you're looking for the perfect hat to support your alma mater (or just your favorite college team) or even to cheer on your beloved NFL team we've got what you need!  Check out your local Hat World, Lids, or Hat Shack store or visit lids.com.  Here are a couple HOT styles available right now! 

                        2009 NFL Sideline Hat             NFL Blindside            NCAA New Era 3 Way

                        

                                   

And of course I have to conclude with, GO COLTS!!!!

REAL American Idols: Tiger Woods

Coming off an unorthodox missed cut at last month's British Open, Tiger Woods has roared back onto the scene with two straight victories heading into this week's PGA Championship, the final major of the year.  He picked up his 5th win of the season at last week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational, and now has 70 wins all-time, 12 behind the record set by Sam Sneed.  With his 4th victory in his last 6 starts, it appears Tiger's game is starting to take shape into what could be another historic run.  Let's see if the chosen one can make it 3 in row at this week's PGA Championship...

Get your Tiger Woods and Nike Golf headwear, only at LIDS.com.

UFC 100

Photo via 100.ufc.com

The UFC's biggest card of the year is this Saturday, July 11th. As a huge fan of MMA, I can't wait for this one! 

Shop lids.com for official UFC headwear.

Federer Stands Alone

If you tuned in to yesterday's Wimbledon final, you saw an extremely long match between Andy Roddick and Roger Federer.  For those of you with patience who made it to the end of the fifth set (thirty games in the fifth set alone), you also saw Federer take home his 15th Grand Slam Singles title.  Several tennis legends such as Pete Sampras, Ron Laver and Bjorn Borg were on hand to congratulate Federer on winning 15 Grand Slam titles--an accomplishment no other tennis player has been able to do thus far.

Any fan of tennis, or sports in general, should be able to appreciate the passion, determination and athleticism that these guys displayed.  Congrats to both Roger Federer and Andy Roddick for leaving it all on the court! 

I loved this tribute by Nike so much that I had to share it.  Only 349 days until Wimbledon 2010...

College World Series: Game 1 Goes To...

The Bayou Bengals of LSU!  That's right, LSU pulled off their first win in the College World Series best of three championship series to put them ahead of Texas 1-0.  The Tigers slid by the Longhorns 7-6 in the 11th inning to win game one.  CF Mikie Mahtook drove in the winning run in the 11th inning.  LSU reliever Matty Ott recorded the win for LSU after pitching three innings of hitless relief, while Texas reliever Brandon Workman took the loss.  Tonight's game could potentially be the final game of the 2009 College World Series if the Tigers can get another win. 

Last night's game was the third game of the 2009 College World Series to go into extra innings since the teams have reached Omaha, but was far shorter than the CWS' longest  game by innings (15 innings for both Michigan/Santa Clara in 1962 and Southern Cal/Florida State in 1970) and the longest game by time (3 hours and 59 minutes for Southern Cal/Arizona in 1998).  Texas, however, is used to playing long games as they hold the record for the longest game in NCAA history beating Boston College 3-2 in 25 innings (7 hours, 3 minutes) on May 30-31, 2009.  Yes...the game began on Saturday and ended on Sunday!

Game 2 of the series will be played tonight at 7 p.m. EST and can be found on ESPN.  If you're in Omaha, be sure to stop by one of our temporary LIDS locations on 13th Street near Rosenblatt Stadium and say hello.  Good luck to both teams!