Smart hat designs for fall and sun protection

Saturday, 29 August 2009

Smart hat designs for fall and sun protection
post from sally murdoch

Photo: Dan Herrick Model: Mira Herrick in Faith's Drifter
With the summer sun bearing down upon us and autumn knocking on the door, this marks a great time for parents to put a lid on their kids. Lucky for us, Portland is home to quite a few quality haberdashers and milliners. Not to mention, we're the only city in the US with a hat museum. Here are a few local choices:
Faith Hats: Started by independent designer Faith Jennings four years ago in her basement, these wonderful gems are made from 100% recycled materials. Faith has recycled an astounding TWO TONS of sweaters since she began. Debuting in a few short weeks on Faith's site is the new Drifter hat for kids, made of recycled pants, recycled belts and Faith adds it can easily be accessorized with neckties. This style pictured retails for $64. An additional style that's constructed with a button retails for $58, and Faith will be showing these at this year's POOL Show in Las Vegas. Adorable and stylish and makes a perfect complement to fall wardrobes. Available at Faith's site mid-September 2009.

Flipside's Rider hat for fall 2009
Flipside Hats: The Flipside Hat is a head-turner and its vivid color schemes and designs make my toddler stand out in a crowd. Made in Portland of mostly salvaged materials, the company was founded by designer Kori Giudici. Because these hats are reversible and are made from two layers of fabric, I was delighted to find that when my little non-hat person throws it off her head into water, the other side is always dry when I turn it inside out and plunk it back on her head. This reversibility also lends two great looks in one. The P Town is Flipside's bestseller and the Rider makes a great choice for late summer and fall. The Rider, according to Giudici, has "four panels and a wider brim for better sun coverage and more of a 'sporty t-ball look.' Flipside Hats are available at a number of top notch Portland boutiques, including Presence of Mind and Milagros, and a special model is available at Cat in an Apron. Go here for a store locator.
Goorin Hats: No hat story would be complete without a nod to Goorin Hats. The company began in 1895 when Cassel Goorin sold his first hat off a horse cart, and today is presided over in SF by great grandson Ben Goorin. Goorin's Portland store just opened on NW 23rd and Johnson, and Ben says the store is heavily trafficked by kids and their parents. Huge selection, great kids styles and affordable prices in the 20's. Choose from beanies with and without ear flaps, fetching fedoras, jaunty cloche styles, newsboy caps and even updated trucker styles too. Pictured right is the Chucky for fall, available at Goorin on 23rd, at the online store and Portland's Baby Wit.

For more info:
Faith Hats: http://faithhats.com/
Goorin: http://www.goorin.com/about-goorin
Flipside Hats: http://stores.homestead.com/hstrial-kgiudici/StoreFront.bok