Introduction

Hats are probably one of the most overlooked items in out headwear. We pay them so little attention, yet they have the power to entirely alter the look of an outfit. Owning a few at your disposal is never a bad idea and knowing the right hat brands to buy from is the first step in choosing a hat that will stay with you for many years. The followings are the finest milliners in the world today.

1.Lock & Co. Hatters

Lock & Co. (full name: James Lock & Co. Ltd), founded in 1676, is the oldest hat shop and ranks 34th among the oldest family businesses in the world. The store is located at 6 St James’s Street and has not moved since 1765. The founders are Robert Davis and his son, but the store name comes from Davis’ apprentice James Lock, and the store is still owned and operated by the Lock family.

The history of this brand is so long that a complete introduction would take a long time. The bowler hat worn by Chaplin mentioned in the article “ The Courage to Wear a Hat ” was originally from Lock & Co.

If you have the opportunity to go to the back of the store, you can see a lot of wooden head models signed by celebrities. Many celebrities you know, such as Oscar Wilde and Churchill, have bought or customized hats in this store. Beau Brummell, the father of modern menswear, also used Lock hats to enrich his clothing warehouse.

London’s Lock & Co. Hatters (featured image, above) is not just an old hat shop, it is the oldest hat shop all over the world. Lock & Co. Hatters’ designs have earned iconic status over the years.

Although Lock & Co. has also made hats for the current Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Kate, and started haute millinery for women in 1993, it is mainly famous for its traditional men’s hats, among which winter hats are considered the best in the world. The two current royal certificates were issued by Prince Charles and the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip.

Main Products:

Custom Hats : High-end hats tailored to individual customer needs
Classic Hats: Including iconic styles like bowlers, fedoras, and flat caps
Seasonal Collections: Limited-edition hats designed to reflect current trends

Key Features:

Premium Materials
Expert Craftsmanship
Personalized Service

Official Website:https://www.lockhatters.com

2.New Era

When it comes to baseball caps, no brand is more influential than New Era, the exclusive supplier of headwear to Major League Baseball teams, and whose products have been licensed by more than 500 different organizations in its more than 90 years of trading.

New Era is a world-famous hat brand established in 1920. Headquartered in New York City, USA, New Era offers various headwear accessories – specifically baseball caps.

New Era brand story begins with Ehrhardt Koch and his entrepreneurial dream to establish New Era as a hat manufacturer in 1920; initially making baseball team caps locally before expanding it globally over time.

New Era products are of quality and widely recognized for their combination of fashion and sports style. Their personality lies primarily within their design concept which emphasizes both fashion and sports style. New Era’s slogans often emphasize its close connection with sports culture such as “Fly Your Own Flag” or “Let’s be Clear”.

New Era has worked closely with a lot of famous brands and sports leagues, and the most well-known is Major League Baseball (MLB). New Era produces team logo hats for many MLB teams and it also partners with fashion and sports brands to launch co-branded collections.

New Era has long been recognized for its high quality hats with fashionable designs along with close ties to sports culture, making the brand an emblematic example of fashion meeting sports culture. Consumers love New Era as it represents fashion’s perfect blending with sporting culture.

Main Products:

Baseball Caps: New Era’s legendary products, particularly its 59FIFTY line, are well-known for their signature flat-brim designs and use of high-grade materials.

Product Features:

High Quality Materials
Iconic Design
Co-Branding

Official Website:https://www.neweracap.com

3. Christy’s

Founded in 1773, Christy’s has a history of over 250 years and is one of the oldest hat brands in the UK. At first it mainly produce high-quality hats and gradually became the British royal brand.

Christy’s has provided hats for the Queen, Prince Philip, Princess Kate and other members of the royal family, and has long served as the official helmet manufacturer for the British police force. This association with royalty and officialdom further solidifies its position as an industry authority.

For more than two centuries, Christy’s has always stuck to pure handmade craftsmanship, especially the weaving of straw hats and the molding of felt hats, which all rely on the hat maker’s decades of experience, and the subtleties reflect the spirit of craftsmanship.

Main Products:

Christy’s is famous for a wide range of classic and contemporary hats, with their primary products including:

1. Top Hats
2. Fedora Hats
3. Bowler Hats
4. Trilby Hats
5. Flat Caps

Product Features:

1. Timeless British Style
2. Premium Materials
3. Handcrafted Excellence
4. Tailored Fit
5. Modern Yet Classic Designs

Official Website: https://www.christys-hats.com

4.Brixton

Brixton is an American brand founded in 2004, originally located in Los Angeles. At first, its products are mainly focused on high-quality hats and appare and then its focus turned to streetwear that mixes elements of rock culture, skate culture and vintage design – becoming popular among younger consumers. Brixton is widely known for their minimalist classic yet personalized designs.

Brixton may seem like an American brand because its name is associated with an iconic London area called Brixton. Brixton has an amazing cultural history rich with music, fashion and multiculturalism which could lead one to believe it has British origins.

On the contrary, this hat brand is based on the sunny coast of Southern California. This approachable brand name influences the aesthetics of its products, from baseball caps to knitted hats, to bucket hats that exude a cool feeling of the West Coast.

Brixton was established in 2004 in Los Angeles by three friends – Chad, Jason and Mike – who shared a common love for skateboarding, music and vintage style. At the beginning, they designed and produced high-quality hats only. Their mission was to craft something which reflected both classic minimalist design and modern streetwear aesthetics.

Brixton quickly earned recognition for its simple yet stylish products that were made with quality and durability. Over time, its product lines grew beyond hats to apparel, footwear, and accessories inspired by skate culture, rock music, and the young spirit.

Key Products:

Signature hats (such as beanies, flat caps, baseball hats, and bucket hats) with simple yet bold designs.

Product Features:

Brixton products feature minimalist designs influenced by skate culture, music, and street art.

Official Website: https://www.brixton.com

5.Borsalino

Borsalino is an iconic family owned hat brand founded by Giuseppe Borsalino in Alessandria province of northwestern Italy in 1857 and it is widely acknowledged today as one of the finest manufacturers worldwide.

Giuseppe, only 16 at the time, became an apprentice in Alessandria at a hat factory called Berteil, where his humble attitude, extraordinary talent, and pursuit of excellence earned him praise from both master and other craftsmen. After completion of his studies and becoming a teacher he went back to work for Berteil at one of Le Marais district’s oldest streets – six years of work experience allowed him to get even more hat making knowledge and skills.

After returning to his hometown, he and his brother Lazzaro jointly founded the hat making factory Borsalino Giuseppe E Fratello S.A. named after him. After 15 years of development, this small workshop has become a large factory with hundreds of employees and can complete the handmade production of 1500 hats per week. This genius craftsman in the hat industry has driven the trend of fashion and led the transformation of the entire industry with his unique design inspiration. His famous gentleman’s high hat became a symbol of elegant men in mid-19th century Europe, and many middle-class people regarded it as a symbol of status.

After Giuseppe’s death, his son took over the family industry. Now, in addition to hats, he has set foot in fashion, ties, watches, perfume and other fields, and has branches in Europe and the United States.

In today’s Borsalino factory, craftsmen are still using ancient machines from 1857, and all craftsmanship and technology still follow the creation of the brand’s founder, Giuseppe Borsalino.

Borsalino’s most famous hat is the Fedora, which was once extremely popular and appeared in many early movies. It has been endorsed by many stars and celebrities, and some hat companies even named their Fedora hats after Borsalino.

Main products: fedoras, berets, and other luxury hats

Product Features: craftsmanship, and attention to details

Official Website: https://www.borsalino.com

6.Goorin

Goorin was established in Pittsburgh, USA by Alfred Goorin in 1895. Goorin initially sold their hats from carriage backseats but it gradually evolved into an internationally famous manufacturer of finely crafted and unique designed hats, gloves, socks and other accessories. Today Goorin is a beloved name synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship and original designed products.

Goorin’s apparel has quickly become one of the world’s premier fashion leaders, enjoying wide-spread recognition both domestically and abroad. Their designs combine retro with modern elements, appealing to many young consumers.

Goorin has undergone several generations of development, always remaining dedicated to high quality hat making and adapting with changing fashion trends. In 2012, Goorin opened an old-fashioned hat shop as its flagship store in San Francisco and then opens many branches worldwide.

Main hat products: fedoras, snapbacks, trucker hats, and beanies

Product Features: Known for distinctive, playful animal-themed designs

Official Website: https://goorin.com

7.Akubra

Akubra is an Australian hat manufacturer that is recognised worldwide for the distinct wide brimmed jungle hats made from rabbit felt. The term ‘Akubra’ is sometimes referred any such hat; Akubra produces a variety of hat styles including Fedoras, Homburgs, Bowlers, pork pie hats and Trilbys.

Akubra hats have wide edges to protect from the sun in hot summer and provide extra warmth in winter storms. This has enabled Akubras hats to change with the ever shifting Australian climate of hot one minute then cold the next!

Akubra hats are primarily crafted from rabbit felt , the material is strong and durable, sweat-absorbing, making it practical for hot weather. Additionally, every Akubra hat is handmade, with its unparalleled quality and craftsmanship making each piece of uniqueness and quality.

The Akubra hat is a symbol as well as an integral part of Australian culture. It embodies Australia’s resilience and pragmatism. Akubra hats have become famous all over the world and wearing Akubra hats as an accessory is popular among many international celebrities and politicians.

Main Products: quality rabbit fur felt hats

Product Features: durable and suitable for various weather conditions

Official Website: https://akubra.com.au

8.Stetson

Have you ever watched a western cowboy movie before? If so, you will be familiar with the hat brand Stetson. The hat maker Stetson from Philadelphia is so successful and respected in the western America that the name Stetson becomes synonymous with hat. Waterproof, stylish and durable, they were an instant hit. Besides this, the lofty price tags ensured they were a status symbol – for a cowboy to own one was to show the world he was doing well. Today many of the original models are still in production, meaning anyone can own an authentic piece of America.

Stetson was founded in 1865, inspired by the Western cowboy spirit,And developed into one of the symbols of the American West.
For over 150 years, Stetson has continuously created durable and excellent products and their quality products have shaped the classic American Western cowboy style.

Main Products: wide-brimmed fedoras, cowboy hats, and outdoor hats
Product Features: durability, classic styles

Official Website: https://stetson.com

9.Ebbets Field Flannels

A lifetime fascination with sports emblems and uniforms was what drove Jeremy Cohen to launch Ebbets Field Flannels back in 1987. The idea was to recreate vintage baseball caps and apparel using original team logos with robust materials like thick wool felt. Once he had made a few for himself, people began to see him wearing them and inquired about how to get one for themselves. Fast forward to today and the brand is stocked in some of the coolest shops across the globe.

As clearly stated on the high hanging “plaque” on the brand’s official website – Vintage Authentic! EFF is different from many fast fashion brands in that they focus on replicating and restoring history, and their enthusiasm is extremely addictive! Even more so than clothing style design, brands themselves are more willing to invest time and experience in fabric selection (styles are already replicated).

Main Products: vintage-inspired, handcrafted baseball caps and sports apparel
Product Features: authenticity, craftsmanship, and nostalgic connection to American sports history

Official Website: https://www.ebbets.com

10.Kangol

KANGOL, founded in 1938, is an old British brand that rose to fame in the UK and has been in the European market for over 85 years. Kangol, the Kangol kangaroo, is a traditional clothing industry player in the UK, and its most famous is undoubtedly the flat hat, also known as berets, newsboy hats, etc. With the development of the times, KANGOL now represents not only the classic tradition of Britain, nor is it limited to New York’s street hip-hop culture, but has gradually evolved into a more diverse international fashion brand, loved by consumers around the world. Well and deeply loved by many celebrities.

Admittedly, Kangol’s headwear is something of an acquired taste. Bright white flat caps that are designed to be worn back to front aren’t for everyone. Even so, no list of hat brands could possibly be considered complete without its inclusion. The English brand has been around since the 1930s and has enjoyed periodic surges in popularity… usually followed by quite a long stint of being considered inherently uncool. At present, we’re trending towards the former.

The meaning of the brand name “KANGOL”

K means knit ting weaving
ANG is Angora Angora goat wool
OL “is” wo “wool
With the hope to weave excellent hats from good wool. It is precisely because KANGOL has always followed this concept that it quickly became one of the recognized trendy brands in the UK and even the world.

Main Products: berets, bucket hats, and flat caps
Main Features: crafted from high-quality materials like wool and iconic fashion appeal with a distinct British flair

Official Website:https://kangol.com

11. Bailey

Bailey, an American hat brand founded in 1922, has long catered to Hollywood’s finest stars (Humphrey Bogart and Fred Astaire are their loyal fans) and has been producing high-quality hats until today.
Bailey is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, focusing on timeless gentlemanly style, from felt hats and soft woolen hats to Panama straw hats and pork pies.

Bailey’s background is not simple. Firstly, it is one of the oldest hat brands in the United States, founded in 1922; Secondly, its founder was also a Hollywood star, George Bailey; The most noteworthy is that Bailey’s hat has had a lot of fans among Hollywood stars since its establishment, including Gary Grant, Gary Cooper, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom etc., wow, it’s like a Hollywood historical celebrity book. Of course, why do these high-end Hollywood stars love Bailey so much?

Firstly, in terms of styling, Bailey has always focused on two major series: West and Hollywood. Its significance is also very obvious, which is to showcase the rugged cowboy style of old America and the elegant gentleman style of old Hollywood. The versatile designs of the brim and crown groove, which is full of design sense, sets Bailey apart from the traditional British hat making brands. It adds a touch of casualness and lacks a sense of restraint and rigor. These are the reasons why Bailey has become a classic after being honed over time!

Then, in terms of materials, wool and leather are Bailey’s main hat making materials. With excellent hat making skills, Bailey’s hats are waterproof and can be guaranteed not to deform when squeezed.

Major Product: fedoras, flat caps, and cowboy hats
Product Features: quality craftsmanship with a range of classic styles

Official Website:https://baileyhats.com

12. Filson

The Seattle based brand Filson captures the simplicity and elegance of outdoor life through its headwear collection, adjusting a series of classic silhouette details for modern rugged gentlemen.
Filson is undoubtedly one of the best hat brands in the world, especially in terms of practicality, from the brimless round hat to the truck hat, and then to the popular tin cloth packaging hat.

Filson was founded in 1897 by Clinton C. Filson, who started his career peddling a clothing store for loggers. Filson was formally established in Seattle in 1897 to serve the needs of prospectors who stopped in Seattle on their way to the Klondike gold rush. Once the brand was established, it transitioned from running clothing for loggers to offering leaves and equipment for explorers, including clothing, blankets, boots, and sleeping bags.

Since Filson’s products are focused on durability and functionality, they work really well even in harsh outdoor conditions. These versatile hats will not only keep you cool and protected from the sun but the cotton material they are made of provides moisture-wicking function for all climatic conditions. Also, FILSON’s hat design focuses on both function and style, including an adjustable brim to provide sun protection in any environments.

Filson is perhaps best known for its traditional outdoor gear (flannel shirts, waxed jackets) but have also evolved with the times and introduced a few contemporary products. For example: Modern raincoat applied modern sewing and laminating process already vernacular use non GORE-TEX waterproof membrane but have great waterproof function and water hammer.

Major Products: a range of durable, weather-resistant styles of hats, including rugged wool and canvas caps
Product Features: Applicable in the toughest conditions

Official Website:https://www.filson.com

13. Flexfit

Flexfit is a brand under the YUPOONG Group in South Korea and it is a leading global hat manufacturer. It was founded in 1994, when Flexfit released its first fully enclosed elastic hat, which made it a huge impact in the hat industry and triggered a major reform in the industry.

The brand concept of Flexfit is to infuse trendy charm into every baseball cap and bring it to consumers. The brand’s hat has obtained a patent for elastic closure design and is the original version of a retractable baseball cap. And Flexfit, with decades of accumulation and patent advantages, collaborates with internationally renowned brands such as Vans and Columbia to bring the trendy charm to the extreme.

Flexfit advocates for light luxury and emphasizes the wearing experience. Due to its excellent quality and classic and diverse designs, it has become a popular international fashion brand among many celebrities.

Main products: customizable fitted caps, snapbacks, and adjustable hats etc.
Product Features: modern design suitable for both casual and athletic wear

Official Website:https://www.flexfit.com

14. Adidas

Adidas is a sportswear manufacturer named after its founder, Adolf “Adi” Dassler, who started making shoes in 1920 in Herzogenaurach, which is near Nuremberg. Incorporated as adidas AG on 18 August 1949 Adidas’ clothing and athletic shoe designs commonly use their three-stripe configuration, which is also reflected in their logo. Adidas has three stripes as its identifier.

In the world of sportswear, Adidas has always represented a special status symbol, which some refer to as the “three lines of victory”. Since its establishment in 1948, Adidas has helped countless athletes achieve great results and accomplished many great feats. Therefore, Adidas can also be said to be a model that embodies the trust and respect of everyone.

Adidas is the pioneer of many technological breakthroughs, having obtained over 700 patents. Especially Adidas’ screw in shoe studs are a very revolutionary concept, and people even believe that they made great contributions to the German football team’s victory in the 1954 World Cup. In addition, since the 1970 World Cup, Adidas has become the official ball sponsor of FIFA and has provided match balls for every subsequent World Cup.

Today, Adidas still adheres to the philosophy of Adidas Dassler shoemaking, constantly exchanging experiences and needs with athletes and coaches. After a series of repeated tests and trials, they have developed various products that conform to ergonomics, which can not only help athletes improve their performance, but also meet the demand of general market consumers for high-quality sports products. In recent years, Adidas has not only made new breakthroughs in design and functionality, but its representative three line design concept has also sparked another trend in fashion, sweeping the younger generation to form a new style of fashion and leading global sports products towards a more diversified future.

Main Products: sportsheadwear
Main Features: performance-enhancing technologies

Official Website:https://www.adidas.com

15. Mossant

The story of Mossant begins in a French town called Bourg de Peage, founded by Monsieur Casimir Mossant in 1833 and is one of the oldest hat brands. For nearly 200 years, Mossant has been known for manufacturing high-quality pure wool felt hats and Panama straw hats. Even after two world wars, it still stands firm and continues to produce high-quality products under the historical slogan “Mossant hat covers the whole world”.

Mossant is not only a manufacturer of hats, but also a part of French culture. The history and tradition of the brand make its products highly sought after globally, especially in formal occasions and high-end markets. In addition, Mossant’s hats are also considered a fashion choice for historical figures such as former British Prime Minister Churchill, increasing the brand’s international recognition.

Major Products: classic fedors, wool felt hats, straw hats and berets etc.
Product Features: blending traditional craftsmanship with modern fashion

Official Website:https://mossant.com

16. MLB

The history of MLB can be traced back to the end of the 19th century, when professional baseball in the United States had just emerged, and team logos and brand awareness gradually took shape. founded in 1869, MLB(Major League Baseball), is the highest-level professional baseball league in North America and. MLB is known for its unique team logos , players and games and it has become one of the world’s famous sports brands. MLB has 29 teams , including 15 American leagues and 14 national leagues , and each league has its own logo and brand. Over time, the MLB team logo has gradually become a symbol of each city.

Strictly speaking, MLB [ Major League Baseball] is not a brand. MLB itself does not produce clothing, but it licensed the MLB name to the Korean F&F Group, which produces and operates the fashion brand, resulting in the current “MLB”.

The street lifestyle sports brand MLB, with a strong baseball culture as its background and American street fashion culture as its elements, has become a leader in the field of trendy sports. The brand is not only loved by fans in sports events, but its products have also become a fashionable choice for expressing oneself and showing personality, and are deeply loved by young people.

Main products: stylish hats and apparel
Product Features: quality materials and bold, sporty designs

Official Website:https://www.mlbshop.com

As a professional hat manufacturer, Aung Crown is willing to follow everyone to continue exploring the world of hats, discovering stories carved by time, and experiencing the wonderful chapter of hats dancing with human history.