LIDS Hat Blog

THE TRUE Super Bowl Experience

By Glenn Campbell, Hat World/LIDS Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, @Wear_a_lid

WOW!   No other words come to mind to describe what Indianapolis and LIDS did during the Super Bowl this past week.  Well, actually I do have a few…

The city rolled out the red carpet and put itself on the map as a TRUE player as a Super Bowl host city.   I know Miami, Arizona and San Diego are sexy because of the weather, but Indianapolis raised the bar for future Super Bowl’s to come.   I have been fortunate enough to attend nine Super Bowls, and this one was by far the best I have been to.   Downtown Indianapolis  was turned into a weeklong fan zone, not only catering to the fans but for families as well.  The interactive Super Bowl Village was complete with free concerts, autograph sessions, celebrity sightings, food and drinks, countless parties, and temporary makeshift nightclubs.   Maybe the most unique was the Zip line, something that is  sure to be copied by future host cities.   All in all, what can’t be copied was the “Hoosier Hospitality!”   The atmosphere and  friendliness you felt as you walked around downtown with 100,000 of your closest friends cannot be duplicated.   If I didn’t know better, I would have thought I was in downtown Mayberry. 

To make the experience complete for fans, the Super Bowl host committee picked Lids Locker Room as the official retailer.   We outfitted all the volunteers with Nike gear and brought a retail presence that has never been seen or done before.  The 2^nd floor of the old Nordstrom building, all 30,000 feet, was turned into the greatest Super Bowl store ever put together (See photos below).   It wasn’t just a store, it was truly an experience!   When a retailer can turn an everyday trip to buy a product into an engaging experience, they’ve set themselves apart from everyone else…and that is exactly what we did last week in Indianapolis.  With over 300 LIDS employees and volunteers and months of behind the scenes planning from all departments within the company, LIDS put their mark on Super Bowl XLVI.

After all that was said and done, all I can do is stand back and tip my cap to the thousands of hours put in by so many to make this Super Bowl way more than just a three hour football game.  YOU turned it into an experience; a memory that the 70,000 who had tickets and the hundreds of thousands who just walked the streets, will never forget!  I know I’ll never forget it.

Thank you Indianapolis and thank you LIDS employees!  I am proud to be part of the best retail team around!

-Glenn

LIDS Super Bowl Rally Time

 

This past week was a memorable one for all of the LIDS employees who came to INDY to help celebrate the Super Bowl!  Check out the video above of co-founder, Glenn Campbell, as he rallies up the troops before a big day at one of the stores!

Make sure you check out Glenn on twitter @Wear_a_lid, for daily updates on all things LIDS!

Season of Giving

By Glenn Campbell, Hat World/LIDS Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, @Wear_a_lid on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

For seven years, Genesco and LIDS have outfitted an entire school with new shoes, hats, gloves and t-shirts through the Cold Feet, Warm Shoes and Hats initiative. This program, which was started by Nashville-based Genesco, the parent company of LIDS, seeks to empower underserved youth with the power of choice. In just one day, volunteers from both offices transform a school's gym into a full-service shoe store.  Every child is brought into the "store," sized for a new pair of shoes and allowed to select their favorite pair.  They also get a package of socks, a Colts knit hat and a tee shirt.  Even Colts players like Gary Brackett are on hand to interact with the children and help make this day one that they will remember for years to come.

This event translates into three hours of pure joy for these kids, as they have no idea what to expect until the moment they walk in the gymnasium.  Personally, the smiles on their faces do more for me and all of us there than any pair of shoes will ever do for them.   As happy as these kids are, we as a company leave the school even happier.  The holidays are about giving, especially to those who are less fortunate.  The only thing better than giving back, is giving back as a group.  When you can share it with hundreds of your co-workers it just lifts your spirits.  For me, it is the start of my holiday season and reminds me of how blessed I really am. I would like to thank all the volunteers from LIDS and Genesco for the hard work and dedication put into making this event what it is.  And most importantly, I would like to send a huge thank you to all the children who make the holidays truly special.

LIDS' Seventh Annual Cold Feet, Warm Shoes & Hats

LIDS' Seventh Annual Cold Feet, Warm Shoes & Hats event in Indianapolis, Indiana, was a huge success thanks to the 100 LIDS/Genesco Inc. corporate volunteers in attendance.  On Tuesday, December 6, nearly 300 children from Francis W. Parker Elementary School, IPS #56, were provided with a new pair of shoes, a new knit hat, a Converse t-shirt, and a pair of Crocs as LIDS' volunteers set up a mock shoe and hat store in the school's gym. 

In addition, the children were greated by Colts Linebacker Gary Brackett.  "I look forward to partnering with LIDS again this year for their ‘Cold Feet, Warm Shoes and Hats’ event. The event is always one of my favorites," said Brackett. "When you leave, there is always a smile on every kid’s face and that moment is PRICELESS!"  Brackett was also joined by his fellow teammates, Pat Angerer, Kavell Conner, and Scott Lutrus.  

Through its Cold Feet, Warm Shoes & Hats program, LIDS and its parent company, Genesco Inc., are able to annually provide disadvantaged children in Indianapolis, the site of LIDS' headquarters, with the power of choice, the same respect and service that they would receive at any of Genesco's 2,300 retail stores, and the practical solution of properly fitting footwear and warm hats.  Each year, the Company works with the United Way of Central Indiana and the Indianapolis Colts to host this signature event at a different Indianapolis Public School location in need. 

NOTE: This year's Cold Feet, Warm Shoes & Hats event was made possible in part by the generosity of the following Genesco vendors: Crocs, DC Shoes, Puma, Sock and Accessory brands, Concept One, Top of the World, Levi's, Uni Hosiery, Bioworld and Huffman.

The Campbell-Cardinals Tradition

By Glenn Campbell, Hat World/LIDS Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, @Wear_a_lid on Twitter

In 1970, when I was five years old, my dad took me to my first St. Louis Cardinals game.  In those days Lou Brock and Bob Gibson were in their prime, coming off of three World Series appearances in six years and winning two (very reminiscent of what just took place these last six years).  I was hooked.  Little did I know though at that young age it would take my beloved Redbirds 12 long years to get back to the World Series. 

For their next appearance, I was a junior in high school and was actually able to celebrate a World Series win.  I’ll never forget it.  The Cardinals then went on to play in the World Series in ‘85 and ‘87, however the team failed to clinch the championship both times and suffered painful loses in Game 7 of each.  Again, little did I know it would be 17 more years until the Cardinals were in another World Series (2004). This time I was 38 years old, married with four children; a stark contrast to being 22 and fresh out of college in ‘87.  The great thing about ’04 was that I had the opportunity to take my dad and return the favor from 34 years earlier, when he passed his love for the Cardinals on to me.

Now I fast forward to what just happened this season.  For Cardinals fans alike it’s already been documented how crazy a month it was, from being virtually out of contention with mere weeks left in the season to winning their 11^th World Series in franchise history.  This latest victory put the team in the top spot for most championships in the National League, and second in the sport overall just behind only the New York Yankees. 

Moments like these are so unpredictable, yet I tried to take advantage of every opportunity to share this experience with my family.  This year my wife and I took our 4 kids to multiple playoff and World Series games in St. Louis, and even had the opportunity to make it to Milwaukee and Texas for games.  Hopefully years from now our kids will understand how special this October was, and they will feel the same nostalgia that I did in 1970 when my dad took me to my first game.  And so the Campbell-Cardinals tradition continues…

A Redbirds fan without an official team cap? Not if we have anything to say about it. lids.com is your headquarters for St. Louis Cardinals hats, and all your favorite MLB team hats and accessories. LIDS has a complete selection of St. Louis Cardinals hats--including Authentic Collection, Franchise and more--in all the sizes and colors you need to support your Cards.

Lessons Learned

By Glenn Campbell, Hat World/LIDS Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, @Wear_a_lid on Twitter

A few weeks ago, I boarded a plane to Tampa for a business trip to visit some stores in the area.  While traveling is common in my line of work, on this particular flight I was seated next to a man who was enlisted in our armed services.  As the plane took off, we had a conversation that I will never forget and always be grateful for.

The man, Sgt. Matt Reddon, was headed back to Kurdistan, dubbed the “other Iraq.”  He had been in the Air Force for 30 years, and during his service had been deployed to areas like Kurdistan over a dozen times.  While he seemed eager to get there, I couldn’t help but think this was not an ideal location for him.  During our conversation, I also learned that his brother had just joined the military.  It was clear the sergeant was proud of him.  But on the subject of family, his voice grew softer as he expressed the hardest part of it all was leaving his wife and kids behind for extended periods of time.  I can only imagine how difficult that must be.  On this particular trip, he had a day’s worth of flying just to get to Kurdistan.  Who knows when he would return to his family.

After listening to a few of the stories he told, I thanked him for his service to our country.  That was the least I could do.  But what stuck with me the most was his response.  In that moment he said to me, “You don’t have to thank me; I do what I do, because I love my job.”  We parted ways, each headed to our own destinations as we both put on our headphones to drown out the noise of the busy airport.  However, I couldn’t help but replay his words in my head – he loves his job. WOW!  Now if he and the countless other men and women in the armed forces that risk their lives to protect our freedom feel that way about their jobs, how can I ever begin to complain about mine?  I thank you, Sgt. Reddon, for reminding me of the many blessings I have in my life, including my job.  God bless and stay safe.

-Glenn Campbell

Have a question for Glenn? You can follow him on Twitter or post your question on the LIDS Facebook wall.  Stay tuned for Glenn's next blog post on his thoughts about the World Series games against the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers.  

LIDS’ LEADER NUTS OVER MLB CARDINALS AND THEIR NEW FURRY MASCOT

By Glenn Campbell, Hat World/LIDS Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, @Wear_a_lid on Twitter

If you have been following the MLB playoffs at all in the last few weeks or watch any of the sports networks, you have no doubt heard about the St. Louis Squirrel. The infamous rodent now dubbed “The Rally Squirrel” by the St. Louis faithful has appeared in both of the Cardinals’ home playoff games. Well I have firsthand knowledge of this legend as he and I had a close encounter in Game 3 on October 4 in St. Louis.

I am a St. Louis Cardinals baseball “nut” you could say. I am certain that is what attracted the Rally Squirrel to me in the first place. I  have been a season ticket holder for the past 13 years and have been a Redbirds fan dating back to my childhood in the 1970s.

This 2011 season has been crazy for so many reasons. I try not to miss any Cardinals playoff games, home or away, but I made the mistake of booking some work-related business trips for early October back when the Cards were 10 ½ games out with a month to play. Oh boy, has my travel schedule been turned upside down! That is the last time I ever write-off my beloved Cardinals before they are mathematically eliminated. They overcame one of the largest deficits in history to make the playoffs on the last day of the season.

In an unbelievable five-game series, capped by one of the best pitching performances I have ever seen by Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals eliminated the Phillies in the divisional round of the playoffs. My Cards are currently tied at one game apiece with the Brewers in the NLCS. I am convinced none of this would be possible without the “Rally Squirrel.”

I was sitting in my front row seats just down the third baseline past the dugout with three buddies for Game 3 of the NLDS. The Cardinals were down 3-0, Philly clearly had the momentum, and we needed a spark. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, play was stopped as our hero came on the field. The squirrel ran from right field all the way to second base then stopped and looked around. I assume he peaked at the scoreboard and saw his team trailing. He continued in my direction and stopped as if he was telling third base coach Jose Oquendo something and then came bounding right over to me.

If you were watching that portion of the national television broadcast like my wife and kids where, you saw one of my buddies reach over the wall and point at our little furry mascot. Then you saw yours truly – donning a red Cardinals hat with my sunglasses atop the visor – reach over and try to grab him. “What would you have done if you caught that squirrel?” I have been asked countless times over the past week. As I’ve told everyone, I was caught up in the moment and all I can remember thinking in that instant was, “Getting that squirrel would surely get me on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top Ten plays of the day.” Truth is, I just wanted to thank that squirrel for showing up and changing the mojo.

My Cards lost 3-2 that night but it wasn’t the squirrel’s fault. We stranded 14 base runners, nine after our furry friend came onto the field. Down two games to one, he came back during Game 4 on October 5 and darted across home plate while Skip Shumaker was batting. That squirrel clearly got inside Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt’s head and the Cardinals went on to win 5-3 and tie the series at two games apiece. Then, just when you thought the Cardinals didn’t stand a chance heading back to Philly to face their ace pitcher Doc Halliday in Game 5, Rally Squirrel magically showed up again on the field in Philadelphia before the game. The rest, as the cliché goes, is history. Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter pitched the best game of his career, the Redbirds won, and are now in line to win their 11^th World Series in franchise history.

Everyone has opinions about superstitions and curses, and baseball has its fair share of animal-related lore. Ask Chicago Cubs fans about the Billy Goat of 1945 and the black cat of 1969. I am confident the Cardinals’ “Rally Squirrel” of 2011 can change history for St. Louis in a good way.  When I sit in my seats October 12 for Game 3 of the NLCS, I’ll have a new shirt on that gives a big shout out to my furry friend. The shirt will be available in LIDS, LIDS Locker Room and the Cardinals Clubhouse stores operated by LIDS in the St. Louis area. Don’t be surprised to see that squirrel on the field. My first purchase at the ball park that night will be a cold beverage and a big bag of peanuts. Big enough to share if my friend happens to come by and visit again.

LTD Series Facebook Page

Attention all LIDS fans!  The LIDS Taste Development Series rolled out its very own facebook page last week.  This page promises to offer exclusive information and sneak peeks to all the upcoming LTD Series releases.  We hope to share elite details about the series with our biggest fans, and also want to gain feedback about the styles being released.  So if the July 1 release, the Venom, wasn't your favorite style or you have improvements to share, let us know!  We are open to any and all suggestions. 

Our next LTD Series release is set for Septemeber 1.  Although the name and full design of the limited cap has remained a secret, we did share this view of the back of the hat on the LTD Series facebook page. 

 
Web-like, huh?  More images of the cap and the official name will be released later this week!  Check out the LTD Series facebook page for more details!

What is the LIDS Taste Development Series?

The LIDS Taste Development (LTD) Series is a new collection of limited edition, premium New Era® fitted hats exclusive to LIDS. The LTD Series is an update to the Fresh Goods Friday program which had launched in May 2004. This new version launched on July 1, 2011 and a new LTD Series hat will be available for purchase bi-monthly on the 1st day of every other month (next release is September 1).

These limited edition hats will feature unique fabrics and the latest designs. Each LTD Series hat is limited in quantity and only available at 80 of our 900+ stores and here at lids.com. Since the LTD Series hats are not available at any other retailer, once they are sold out, they are gone forever. 

Fan Returns Jeter's 3,000th Hit Ball

 

What would you have done if you caught Derek Jeter's home-run, 3,000th hit?

Well, Christian Lopez a cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., who was seated in Section 236, Row 1, Seat 19, found himself in that situation.  The 23-year-old scooped up New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit on Saturday, July 9, 2011.  Instead of auctioning off the piece of Major League Baseball history , Lopez stated he was just going to hand it over to one of his baseball heroes.  Even more astonishing was the fact that Lopez asked for nothing in return for the estimated $250,000 ball; however, the Yankees Organization didn't just take the ball away without any compensation to Lopez.  Sources reveal they rewarded Lopez's generosity with a pretty nice package including almost $70,000 worth of Yankees memorabilia and tickets.

Now that Derek Jeter's bid for one of baseball's most sacred milestones, the 3,000-hit club, is complete, LIDS is pulling out all the stops to commemorate this landmark event in Jeter's career with the Authentic MLB New Era® 59FIFTY®. Now, you can help honor one of the game's biggest stars and the first New York Yankee to reach this milestone.  We can't offer you the actual 3,000th hit ball, but the Authentic MLB New Era 59FIFTY can help you remember this highlight event. 

LIDS Hosts Pete Rose at College World Series

In the wake of a professional baseball career that spanned from 1963-1989, Pete Rose sits atop the Major League Baseball record book for hits (4,256), games played (3,562), and at-bats (14,053). He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, a MVP, two Gold Gloves, was Rookie of the Year and made 17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five different positions (2B, LF, RF, 3B and 1B).

As one of the pro game’s best, I wondered if “Charlie Hustle” had been among college baseball’s best and perhaps had played in the College World Series. I was surprised to learn during Rose’s appearance at the 2011 College World Series it was his first-ever trip to Omaha, home of CWS since 1950.

LIDS, conversely, is no stranger to “The Greatest Show on Dirt” having operated trailers and temporary stores at CWS every year for more than a decade. On June 20, 2011, LIDS joined forces with Omaha Baseball Village, located just outside TD Ameritrade Park—the brand new home of CWS—to host Rose for an autograph signing. Rose led off the appearance with a radio interview on Omaha’s ESPN Radio affiliate 1620AM The Zone. (Click here* to view and listen to the interview.)

Adding to the excitement for the hundreds of fans that came out to meet The Hit King was a surprise appearance at the signing by fellow Cincinnati star athlete Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco who posted a fun picture later that day on his Twitter.

On behalf of the LIDS family, a huge thanks to Pete for being so generous of your time with LIDS and the fans!

 * The station’s audio was not properly connected for the first few minutes of the interview. The error is corrected at the 9:15 mark.

  
 


 

 

LIDS and DeAngelo Hall support Caps for Kids

Earlier this week, Store Manager Will R. from Store 5462 was assisting with coverage of Store 5826 in Dulles Town Center in Dulles, Virginia, when he came across yet another special LIDS shopper — Washington Redskins' playmaker DeAngelo Hall.  During his visit, the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback gladly signed a hat for Caps for Kids.  You might recognize Will R. as the manager responsible for acquiring a signature from LeBron James earlier this fall.  Kudos again, Will and thank you Mr. Hall!  

LIDS is a proud supporter of Caps for Kids, but we couldn't do it without the help of our amazing employees, customers and celebrity customers.  If you'd like to learn more about Caps for Kids and how you can help, please visit http://www.capsforkids.org.     

 

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. 

Monster Hats

One of the more frequent requests we receive is for Monster Energy hats.  So much so that we have a difficult time keeping them in stock.  However, we currently have two sick Monster Energy hats and a stylish tee available and wanted to share.

The Monster/Bong Fitted (shown right) is a collaboration between Billabong and Monster Energy.  It is a fitted New Era 59Fifty that features an embroidered Monster Energy logo on the front, Billabong logo patch on the back and New Era flag on the left wear side.  Billabong + Monster Energy + New Era = Gotta have it!

Monster Energy is well known among the action sports world for their sponsorship of some of today's top extreme athletes and events.  Monster Energy has sponsored everyone from Ken Block (rally car racer), Rob Dyrdek (skate and MTV reality TV personality), TJ Lavin (BMX and MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge host), Shane Dorian (surfer) and Ricky Carmichael (motocross rider turned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver). 

In addition to his MX duties, Ricky Carmichael is now driving the No. 4 Monster Energy-backed Chevrolet Silverado for the high profile Kevin Harvick All-Stars team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  Known as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), it's only fitting this this cap showcases some of the great brands of all time in the action sports realm.  Without further adieu, the Fox Racing Monster RC Replica Flex hat and Fox Racing Monster RC Replica Tee. 

So what do you think?  Will you be wearing the M-claw loud and proud?  Do you have a favorite Monster Energy sponsored athlete or perhaps a favorite Monster Energy drink? 

"The Dark Side" of the ESPYS

As one of the few people left NOT to have seen the Academy Award winning movie The Blind Side, I was a bit lost during the "The Dark Side" trailer which was shown during the ESPYS.  The parody showcased a crazed Sandra Bullock and frightened Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. 

I rarely watch movies (it's sort of an running joke around the office that I've never seen Back to the Future), but I've had The Blind Side on my list of movies to watch for quite some time.  I took full advantage of a lazy Sunday and finally rented it from Red Box.  What a great movie!  Of course, it was a bit predictable--in part because it was based on a true story, but who doesn't like an easy to follow movie that wraps up nicely and leaves you feeling triumphant on a Sunday afternoon?   

For those of you that missed the ESPYS or who refused to watch because Norm McDonald is no longer hosting, here's the clip from "The Dark Side."  If you've got some extra time, check out the goofs and the trivia on IMDB.  Having recently watched the movie, I can recognize several of these situations where aspects were inconsistent.  All in all, The Blind Side (which also won an ESPY for Best Sports Film) is definitely worth renting. 

Have you seen any great sports movies lately?  Which sports film is your favorite?  How about any good movie that's worth paying almost $20 to see in a theater?  Perhaps only rental worthy? 

A ‘Major’ Return to Greatness: Tiger Woods Chases The Open Championship at St. Andrews

Tiger Woods and a star studded field return to the Old Course at St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, for this year’s Open Championship.  Tiger is hoping to capture his third Open Championship at the historic Old Course and in the process regain his spot as the best golfer in the world with his first victory of the year.  In his pursuit for another major championship, Tiger will try to cure his putting woes and battle the strong Scotland winds dressed head to toe in Nike Golf gear.  For the first time in over a decade, he has swapped out his Scotty Cameron putter for a new Nike putter, completing a full takeover from his Nike sponsorship from his TW hat, to his shoes, to everything golf-related in his bag.

Tiger has been seen sporting the white Nike TW Tour Swoosh Flex Cap in his practice rounds while perfecting his stroke with the new Nike Method putter, which he hopes will lead him to his fourth Claret Jug.  While Tiger has already been seen battling the elements and the British press, he eagerly awaits the first tee where he can slip behind his Nike shades and back into his comfort zone as he aims to take apart The Old Course like he did in 2005.

Will Tiger claim his fourth Open Championship and raise his black Nike TW hat in triumph on Sunday?  Or will defending champion Stewart Cink repeat and show the world another brilliantly colored Nike Golf Tour Perforated Cap like last year? Tune in to watch all the The Open Championship action this weekend and visit lids.com for all your Nike Golf Hats and Sunglasses.

Stay tuned to see whether Tiger can regain his form at the birthplace of golf and outlast the field to capture his 15^th major title by making sure to visit your local LIDS retail store or online at LIDS to grab all your Nike Golf hats and sunglasses.  As always, stay up to date on all the current hat sightings and releases by checking in daily 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.

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.  

 

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? 

NO BAD IDEAS CLOTHING COMPANY

New to Lids.com and select stores will be a new installment of the No Bad Ideas fashion headwear line.  Check out these hot new styles below and let us know what you think!

            BENTLEY PLAID FLEX                                          BENTLEY STRIPE FLEX

                       

            UNION JACK TRUCKER                                          BENTLEY STRIPE FLEX

                             

Mr. Woods is in the building...

TIGER WOODS 2.0 is back and some say looking more focused than ever! 

Tiger has not played on tour since last September and there are many questions surrounding his return to golf.  Will the layoff effect his world class skills or will he be the same dominant player he has been since capturing his first Masters back in 1997?  The only certainty leading into this week's Masters is that he will be decked out in the hottest new fashions from Nike Golf. 

Lids.com is loaded with Nike Golf hats and are currently featuring two of the hottest styles on the course, the TW Tour Swoosh Flex and the Tour Perforated Cap.  Check out these two hot styles pictured below:

NIKE GOLF TW TOUR SWOOSH FLEX

NIKE GOLF TOUR PERFORATED CAP

Get all your Nike Golf head-wear only at lids.com!!

LIDS Hats - Beach Bag Necessity

In the March issue of Coastal Living, the LIDS Rutgers Scarlet Knights Brushback NCAA Franchise hat (below) was pictured in the magazine's "What's in your beach bag?" feature on Bobbi Brown, makeup artist as well as Founder and CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. A representative of the magazine contacted the LIDS Public Relations Department to acquire images of the hat upon hearing it made Bobbi's beach tote list. Apparently when this Jersey girl is not adding to her "no-makeup look" line or discussing beauty secrets with TV show hosts, she proudly supports the local team.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Brushback NCAA Franchise hat

Cap Collaboration: DC Shoes, Subaru & Monster Energy Cap

We've blogged in the past about a new hat in the works from DC Shoes, Monster Energy and Subaru...well...the much anticipated cap is now in stock!

Rather than explaining the awesomeness of the Lets Block Monster Flex cap we'll simply show it to you.  This cap is named after Ken Block, co-founder of DC Shoes and rally car racing icon.  With so many sick brands collaborating on a single hat, it isn't likely this hat will be around long.  Get your Lets Block Monster Flex cap before they're gone!  And if you're looking to be entertained, check out some of the sweet videos on the Monster World Rally Team's YouTube page.    

          

Lids Daily Poll: Hat forward or backward?

FORWARD?

 
(Left) Jay-Z rocks his signature New York Yankees Authentic Collection 59Fifty. According to his song lyrics "he made the Yankee hat, more famous than a Yankee can."  (Right) Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey are spotted wearing matching outfits capped off by similar red baseball caps.

BACKWARD?

 

(Left) Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, smiles wearing a backwards MLB hat. (Right) Taylor Lautner sports a backwards red ball cap with his edgy denim.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's daily poll can be answered in just one word, but after gauging the response of several loyal customers on Facebook and Twitter, we've found that it isn't always as simple as just forward or backward.  Check out a few responses from some of our fans...

"It depends on your fit. Sometimes it looks better forward and sometimes it looks better backwards."   
                                                                                                                    -Chris M.

"George Carlin said white guys over 10 should never wear their hats backwards. Even though he is dead, I am not going to argue with him."  
                                                                                                                    -Andrew T.

"Depends on the mood, forward and low if i'm solo, and don't wanna be bother, to side or to the back if i'm feeling silly, and wild."   
                                                                                                                    -Doremus S.

"Tall crown forward, slouch caps backwards."   
                                                                                                                    -Rs. L

"Backwards. I loved Ken Griffey Jr. when I was a kid, and he wore his hats backwards, so I started and it stuck with me."
                                                                                                            -Keith D

Whether you're wearing your hat forward, backward or somewhere in between, we love the way hats have the ability to change your entire look or help express your mood.  Thanks for all the great responses thus far, keep'em coming!

Drake's Toronto Blue Jays Hat

Welcome to a new Lids Blog feature where we spotlight the latest hat sightings in the world of music, movies, TV and other pop culture mediums.  We spot it and if you like it, we will point you to where you can buy it online at Lids.

Today we spotted rising hip-hop star Drake on the December cover of Vibe wearing a Toronto Blue Jays hat.  (It’s a split cover with Chris Brown on the front of the other issues.) 

The former Nickelodeon/Degrassi star shows love to his native Toronto wearing the Black on Black Blue Jays Hat for the cover.  In the behind the scenes video of the cover shoot posted below, Drake wears the original, classic Blue Jays hat. 

    

If you like these New Era 59Fifty baseball caps, you can buy the Blue Jays Black on Black here or Blue Jays Retro hat here.  Remember – if there is a hat you spot and want, you can always let us know on the Lids Facebook page.

 

 

Deuce Hats from Dussault Apparel, Inc.

We recently posted about Jason Dussault and Deuce, the newest designer line to hit Lids.  Well we found this cool video and thought we'd share.  It gives a little more insight into his edgy designs as well as some info about the celebs he has designed for in the past.  Enjoy!

Deuce Hats by Jason Dussault

One of the hottest new brands out of Vancouver B.C. is now available at Lids!  Deuce by Jason Dussault is the newest fashion line to hit Lids! 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Jason, he is the mastermind behind Dussault Apparel Inc.  Dussault Apparel, Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing high-end quality apparel.  Its product line includes custom designed hoodies, jewelry, t-shirts, hats and leather goods. 

Dussault Apparel has been spotted on LA's hottest and hippest celebrities including many young, edgy actors and musicians.  Experience the luxe life and live like a rock star with Deuce by Jason Dussault at Lids!

  

Jay-Z Performs at Yankees World Series Ceremony

We tweeted yesterday about Jay-Z's song "Empire State of Mind" and wondered how many times it had been played.  Well...chalk up another tally to that count.  Jay-Z performed the song live at the New York Yankees World Series ceremony today.

We thought it was pretty sweet and wanted to share...one question though, what was so important that kept Alicia Keys from being there?

Sneak Peak: New Era Fresh Goods Friday

It's November and the start of a new month which can only mean one thing...a new Fresh Goods Friday release is just around the corner.  And while it may be around the corner for most people, we've got a special sneak peak for all of our Lids Blog readers.  Hey, it's nice to know people -- we take care of our VIP Blog customers!

Without further ado...here's your first look at the November Fresh Goods Friday release, the MLB Trapper.  Not only is this the sickest winter look, but it's super warm too.  Whether you're wearing it for style or warmth (or both), this cap is sure to trap some hotties.   Even Jay-Z rocked a similar style in his music video Empire State of Mind (snapshot below).  And, of course, if it's good enough for the guy who "made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can," it's good enough for me.

The MLB Trapper is a solid black New Era trapper hat that originated from New Era's EK premium headwear line.  The cap features faux fur on the dogear flaps and on the flip-up front.  The New Era cap has a solid black, raised embroidery team logo on the front panel, MLB logoman on the back, and two metal New Era flags on the left-wear side.  This is a limited edition hat and will only be available at select stores in the following teams: New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers. 

**Use the team links above to purchase your MLB Trapper before they're available to the general public!

Scarves and Celebs

Scarves continue to be everywhere.  In fact, there's an entire blurb on celebrities and scarves on whosdatedwho.com which demonstrates not only all the different celebs who are rocking fashion scarves but also the numerous ways to wear them. 

Scarves can be knotted in a number of different ways:

Wrapped around the neck:

Draped around the neck:

Or worn in a bandana fashion:

It really doesn't matter how you wear a scarf just don't be caught in the cold without one.  Check out lids.com for our latest fashion addition...the scarf! 

So Lids Readers, how do you wear your scarves? 

New Yankees Hat Added to the New Era "Spike Lee Joint" Cap Collection

Spike Lee, legendary filmmaker and avid New York Yankees fan, and New Era have once again teamed up to create another sick hat to add to the "Spike Lee Joint" Cap Collection.  The Spike Lee Joint 2.0 is the third cap that Lee has worked with New Era to create and the second in the Spike Lee Joint Collection.  The Spike Lee Joint 2.0 cap commemorates the Yankees'  twenty-six World Series Championships by featuring the years in which the championships were won.  This cap also acknowledges their inaugural season in the new Yankee Stadium on the inside of the hat.   

Spike Lee and New Era Cap Company originally crossed paths in 1996 when Spike Lee asked New Era to do a special, one-of-a-kind red 59Fifty New York Yankees cap.  Lee wore the 59Fifty hat and with it, started a new trend of fashion-focused fitted hats. 

Only 750 of these exclusive Yankees 59Fifty hats are being made available to the public.  Lids is proud to have two of the four retail locations where the cap is being offered.  You can pick up the Spike Lee Joint 2.0 at Lids on 42nd Street or Lids in Herald Square (see addresses below).  The cap comes in a commemorative box and can be picked up for $75.

  ---------------------------------- LOCATIONS ----------------------------------

Lids
42nd Street Entertainment Center
239 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

Lids
Herald Square
1293 Broadway
New York, NY 10001

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?

Kenny Chesney and the Franchise Hat

Kenny Chesney is in Indianapolis for his final concert of the year tomorrow.  He is wrapping up his summer tour and I'm pumped that I get to attend!  Granted, I've seen Kenny in concert more than ten times, but I love him!  The fact that he won't be touring next year means that I've got to get my Kenny fix to last me a whole year.  In preparation for the concert, I've been listening to Kenny songs, watching music videos and reading up on him. I can't flippin' wait!

Kenny definitely has a signature look: a cutoff t-shirt, tight jeans, cowboy boots and who can forget the COWBOY HAT!  However, in all my "research" I've noticed that when Kenny isn't wearing a cowboy hat, he typically has on a Franchise hat.  He sings about a "Red Sox cap" in She's from Boston and even sports a Franchise hat in several of his music videos.  He is constantly seen rocking Tennessee Volunteers hats (hometown: Luttrell, TN), Boston Red Sox hats and a number of local teams for the city in which he is touring. 

The Franchise hat, a relaxed, easy-fitted cap, is the perfect choice for Kenny.  This beach-bum cowboy is laid back and down to earth, yet spirited...just like the Franchise hat.  In my opinion, Kenny looks good in anything, but he definitely knows how to rock a baseball cap!  It's easy to see why the Franchise hat is Kenny's go-to hat when he's not wearing a cowboy hat.

I hope to see lots of you out at the concert rockin' to Kenny and sportin' your hats!  I know I will!

Lids Readers, what other concerts are you looking forward to attending?  Are there other musicians or celebrities that you rarely see without a hat?  I love hat wearing celebrities...especially when I get to see them in concert!

(Above) Kenny rocks his Franchise hats all over the country!

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?

Rockstar Hart and Huntington Hats

Race over to lids.com or select LIDS stores and pick up the Rockstar Hart and Huntington Moto Hats.

This Rockstar Hart and Huntington hat was only available track side...until now!  Get your cap today at lids.com and party like a rock star with the Rockstar Hart and Huntington Moto hat!  

New Yums Hats

Soulja Boy Tell'em was featured on MTV Cribs this past weekend.  He was wearing a Yums cap that will soon be available at LIDS.  The Yums New Era 59Fifty Big Face Fitted will be available in black, red, white, and blue. 

If you're looking for the Yums hats seen in Soulja Boy's closet (the Yums New Era 59Fifty Basic Logo cap), you're in luck.  LIDS has this Yums hat already in stock!

Photos via mtv.com

AC - Authentic Celebs

GoodbyeHello Bloggers,

Time for another edition of our Authentic Celebs.  This week's AC is the greatest rapper alive!

And that all-blue Yankee is his graduation cap, it's
Hova!

 
Photo via zebraisfood.wordpress.com

Coming soon to a LIDS near you

Check out this video clip of DC Shoes co-founder and rally car icon, Ken Block.  He is shown in his new Subaru Impreza smashing thru an airstrip.

LIDS will be releasing a collaboration in mid-October featuring DC Shoes/Monster/Subaru that matches directly to his new ride.  Here is a sneak peak at this crazy, new style. In the meantime, visit LIDS to get all the latest DC hats!

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!

AC - Authentic Celebs

GoodbyeHello Bloggers,

Nowadays just about everyone is rockin The Worlds Famous New Era Authentic Collection. For those who have been living under a rock for the past century, The New Era Authentic Collection is the official on-field cap which is infused with New Era moisture management technology, a revolutionary advancement in cap engineering that results in superior dryness, ultimate comfort and total durability.

So with that said, I decided to come up with a weekly post of some of the hottest celeb's wearing the Authentic Collection. We will just call them the "AC's."

                                 This week "AC" is Mr. Solo Dolo himself...Kid Cudi

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!

See what's available now