Wall Street JournalAUGUST 21, 2009, 5:11 A.M. ET
The Latest Hat Craze
Thin brims, straw trilbies and the ins-and-outs of wearing one
After decades in dormancy, brimmed hats are back on the streets.
The so-called stingy-brim hat, with a brim 1½ inches wide, is considered more modern than those carrying standard 2½-inch widths, and straw versions have been big sellers this summer. "Our stingy brims are extremely strong right now," says Don Rongione, chief executive of Bollman Hat, whose brands include Bailey and Kangol.
Trilbies, soft brimmed hats that sit just above the brow, and hats with an extreme pinch in the front or a colorful band are also popular. "Trilbies make up for approximately 30% of our hat range and sales continue to be strong year on year,"says Topman design director Gordon Richardson. "Most popular is our short-brimmed trilby, which is a young fashion take on a regular trilby." more
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