How is an online hat shop different to a high street shop?

New Zealanders aren't necessarily noted for their love of hat fashion. Or are they? Our experience at Prohibition Hats NZ is that Kiwis who are looking for a good hat, are a pretty discerning bunch.  At least when it comes to buying hats online.

Why wear a baseball cap when you're really looking for a cheese cutter hat or fedora? And for that matter, beanies are great but from the Warehouse?!

The unfortunate truth is however that many affordable high street stores in NZ have a rather 'safe' collection of hats and an even safer range of sizes.

So, what makes an online hat store different to your run of the mill high street retailer? Well, allow us to enlighten you.

An online hat store has lots of hats to choose from

This sounds obvious but the bottom line is, if you're serious about buying a certain kind of hat, you're going to need a decent range to choose from.

Now I'm not talking 100s of hats to buy online (necessarily) just a broad enough selection of hats so that you get some choice. You see, we figure that if you're actually taking the time to search online to buy a hat, the likelihood is you'd prefer to find a proper online hat store.

That's why we have a plethora of cheese cutter hats and fedoras ranging from tweed to leather to corduroy. Plus great brands like Kangol Hats and Goorin Brothers.

We also stock all sizes (none of this one size fits all rubbish). So you get to make an informed choice about the kind of hat you think looks good on your noggin.

But 'high street retailers let me try the hat on in store'. Right? Well yes, but so do we. In a manner of speaking.

How can I try a hat on if I buy it online?

Well, you can't exactly try the hat on before you buy it so we offer the next best thing. We offer a no hassle return policy which means that if you change your mind or the hat doesn't fit, we'll swap it or offer a full refund. (There are a few tees and cees but not many - honestly!)

It's really easy to shop online with Prohibition Hats NZ. All you have to do is measure up your head (using our easy online guide) read our suggestions for the mind of head this hat best suits (and attire) and then place your order.

Your lovely new hat will arrive in your post box within a few days and you can give it a try. Relax, if it doesn't look like a million dollars, just send it back. We want you to be happy after all.

A Specialist hat store for specialist hats

It's worth pointing out that we love hats. LOVE them. That's why we're an online hat shop rather than say a handbag shop. Or mobile phone shop.

And when you love hats as much as we do, you find it important to be a specialist. Knowing hats inside and out, helping our customers to find the right flat cap or trilby for them, is what gets us out of bed every morning!

That's why when you email us, we will always do our best to advise you of the best hat options for you or point you in the direction of another hat store if we can't help you out.

What make us hat specialists? Well, for a start we know about the different kinds of hat materials available, the way that different hat shapes affect the perceived shape of your face (honestly!), the many different and subtle styles of flat caps and cheese cutter hats available and the importance of quality construction.

Sound like a lot? Well it is but we think you're worth it.

Northern hemisphere hat fashion

Hat fashion in the northern hemisphere is perhaps a little more leading than down south. Mostly because our northern hemisphere cousins tend to have more pronounced autumn and winter seasons than us and therefore wear more winter hats.

So how does this compare to the typical New Zealander? It generally results in a wider variety of clothes and a more varied annual wardrobe (us Kiwis tend to like to stick to our shorts/jeans jandals/trainers combinations right?).

And when it comes to hats, we don't tend to wear that many varieties. But, head over to London and walk down Oxford street on a Saturday afternoon in January and you'll see a medley of hats and scarves in all shapes, sizes and colours.

So, how can we take advantage of this hat renaissance in UK, Europe and USA?

Take a plunge and buy your winter hat online

If you think you need a hat and aren't sure where to look, take a punt and shop online. Hop into Google and search for the type of hat you think you want to buy and take a look at a couple of online hat shops.

Shop around. Try some hats on and throw that baseball cap out!

Whatever your hat aspirations, remember to wear something which suits your style and makes you look and feel great.

Be kind to your head.


Laurie
Founder
Prohibition Hats NZ

Where can I buy Kangol Hats in NZ?

Kangol is an iconic British brand that has been creating its own unique style of flat caps, cheese cutters and beanies for over 50 years. Now, the brand is global with head offices in both London and New York.

And now, we're pleased to say Kangol Hats have a home in New Zealand as well.

That's right, Prohibition hats NZ has added Kangol to its Urban collection of designer hats to sit alongside our Goorin Brothers' Cheese Cutters and Fedoras and our Jaxon Hats range.

So, if you're asking yourself, "where can I buy Kangol Hats in New Zealand?"you now have the answer.

Kangol - Urban style from London

Great Britain has always been synonymous with flat caps and cheese cutters. And what greater place in Great Britain to create a trend setting style and Iconic brand than her capital, London?

Kangol started its days in a modest factory in Cleator in Cumbria, England in 1938.  Its founder, Jacques Spreiregen was a World War One veteran and, long before Kangol became the force of head wear that we all now know and love, he was the leading provider of berets to the British Army.

These berets became the must have head wear, throughout the 1960s, for the rich and famous including The Princess of Wales and The Beatles.

By using high quality designers who had a passion for hats (like your favourite Kiwi owned and operated online hat store), Kangol challenged the norm of the old fashioned flat caps and bonnets that were so prevalent in 1960s England.

They decided to do things a little bit differently. Rather than stick to the tried and tested tweeds and herringbones, they decided to incorporate some fresh new design touches into his patterns and shapes.

They began to introduce more 'ivy' shaped flat caps to supplement the traditional wide brim cheese cutter hat and began targeting a younger more urban crowd.

As the 60s drew to a close, Kangol cemented itself as a hip urban brand that was more mod than country. Who would have thought it? A flat cap perched on the head of a 1960s Londonite in Brixton.

Are Kangol hats good quality?

Kangol is now as famous for its designer flat caps and baseball caps as it is for its berets (and to a lesser extent, their range of fedoras and trilbies).

Many celebrities have endorsed Kangol hats with perhaps the highest profile being Samuel Jackson with his golf special. There's not doubt that this injection of celebrity has been instrumental in jettisoning Kangol into the big leagues.

One of the main reasons the brand has stood the test of time is down to the quality of the hat construction. Unlike many manufacturers, Kangol has not sacrificed quality for growth. They have maintained a cutting design edge whilst broadening their demographic. So much so that nowadays, Kangol cheese cutter hats could easily look good on a guy in his twenties or a hipster in his forties.

Largest range of Kangol Hats online in NZ

We reckon we have the largest range of Kangol hats and caps available online in New Zealand.  And the great news is, they're at a fantastic price too! Every single one of our Designer Kangol cheese cutter hats is less than $100 and our 25% discount when you buy two or more hats still applies. That means you could take home two Kangol Hats for only $142 - that's not bad for an authentic brand all the way from London, UK.

Our range of Kangol Hats includes the iconic Rain Tweed Peebles in black and grey, the Kangol 504 in black, dark flannel and flannel, the awesome Kangol Herringbone Newsboy and the Jacquard 507 - a style all of its own.

Kangol Rain Tweed Peebles

Kangol 504 Wool

Buy Kangol Hats NZ online today

At Prohibition Hats NZ we want to make it as easy as possible for you to find, buy and receive your funky new designer Kangol Hat.

That's why we still offer our 'no hassle returns' on hats that don't fit quite right and a super low delivery price of just $8.50 nationwide. All our hat sizes are easy to follow (see our website for all sizes) and we are only an email away for any help or assistance.

So, go online to www.prohibitionhats.co.nz/category/Kangol-hats for our full range of designer cheese cutters and flat caps from Kangol.

And remember, be kind to your head and make a statement with your choice of head wear.

Until next time.

Laurie Turnbull
Owner/Founder
Prohibition Hats NZ
www.prohibitionhats.co.nz
www.facebook.com/prohibitionhats

Find the perfect New Zealand hats for winter

New Zealanders love the summer, but what about the winter? When the cold weather comes and our heads get a little colder, where do we turn? Those train rides to work in the middle of July aren't much fun when you can't feel your ears because of the cold.

The answer lies in selecting the appropriate head wear.

What hats are best for winter?

Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is a little different to in the northern hemisphere. Here, it is genuinely less cold and not as uncomfortable.

That doesn't mean that you don't need to keep your head warm though! A good winter hat is a sound investment - particularly if it makes you look stylish as well.

The best winter hats are those which keep your head warm whilst minimising how much you sweat. Look for wool blends or, if you feel adventurous (and rich) a Marino.

Winter hats don't need to be dull

The winter months are drab but that doesn't mean you need to look dull! If you look at our friends in the northern hemisphere, you'll see that winter is the height of fashion - not the low!

Pick a Marino or wool flat cap that is stylish but practical and you can't go wrong. Don't like cheese cutter hats? Go for a woollen fedora or trilby instead.

The trick is to select a style of hat that truly works for you. If you really feel good in your winter hat, you will look good in it.

But what if you don't suit hats?

Well, I don't believe that I'm afraid. I hear it all the time, "I don't suit hats"; "it makes my ears look big" etc.

Well, with the right hat, that fits your style as well as your head, you will always look good. The reason some people don't look good wearing a hat is they are wearing the wrong hat!

The key thing is to try a few hats on and get a sense of what suits you best.
The problem with high street shops in NZ is that there isn't a large enough range of hats to choose from (or they are of the infuriating 'one size fits all' range which I hate).

If flat caps or cheese cutter hats are your thing, find a NZ hat shop that has more than two styles. If it's fedoras you like, then again, look for different shapes and sizes. There will be a hat that is right for you.

Of course, I would recommend you go to a certain online hat shop (hint hint) and avoid the high street altogether.

Buy your winter NZ hat online today

So, hop online and check out a few styles. Cheese cutter hats, fedoras, trilbies, you name it, you can find it online.

If you're thinking 'where can I buy a cool, stylish winter hat in New Zealand?', think 'online hat store.'

Happy shopping!

Cheese Cutter Hat

The traditional cheese cutter hat is making a comeback (Photo: www.prohibitionhats.co.nz)

The Cheese Cutter Hat is arguably the most well known of all retro head wear. And, if you're like me, you love a good quality Cheese Cutter, you'll be glad to hear that this ubiquitous of hats has now been given a streetwise and funky new look.

The Cheese Cutter Comeback

Yes, the Cheese Cutter Hat is definitely making (or has already made?) a comeback. The Cheese Cutter, once considered the accessory of people like your Dad (or perhaps a farmer) is now cool. But not shouty, "oi listen to me!", cool. The ol' Cheese Cutter is a more subdued, restrained cool.

Celebrities making cheese cutters cool again

For quite some time, cheese cutter hats have been considered a bit fuddy duddy. That was until a number of high profile celebrities started donning these distinctive flat caps. There have been many high profile celebs getting in on the action but the most influential is without a doubt, Mr Jackson (image below courtesy of www.bet.com) who has even gone to the extent of creating his own Signature line of Kangol hats. (If you're interested, you can find them here).

Samuel Jackson has made Cheese Cutters cool again! (http://www.bet.com)

David Beckham in a Newsboy (Photo: http://www.bbc.com/)

Brad Pitt looking quite the part in a cheese cutter (Photo: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/)

But what about New Zealand?

Sadly, I haven't been able to find any photos of Kiwi celebrities wearing cheese cutters (or anything that's not a baseball cap actually). 

But, that's okay. It's our job to change that ;-)

Laurie Turnbull
Owner/Founder
Prohibition Hats NZ
www.prohibitionhats.co.nz
www.facebook.com/prohibitionhats

www.twitter.com/prohibitionhats

Google+ Local Page

Prohibition Hats - a heap of new Cheese Cutters now in stock!

Loads of new cheese cutter hats now in stock!

Okay, I don't usually do these kind of obviously sales-promotional blogs but I just wanted to let everybody know that Prohibition Hats NZ just received an order of 200 new funky, urban cheese cutter hats.

Every kind of Cheese Cutter hat for the discerning Kiwi

So, we've been listening to our customers and they're telling us that they LOVE Jaxon Hats. Not so much the brand but the cool air of indifference they get from the understated nature of the cut. You know, subtly fashionable but not in your face.

That's why we have just taken in over 200 new Jaxon cheese cutter hats in time for the New year rush! 

A New Year Special Offer

It really wouldn't be New Year (wait, what about Xmas?!) without a special offer. So, for every order that comes in between now and January 10th, Prohibition Hats NZ will offer a 10% discount. That's right; we'll knock 10% off any order on a hat that isn't already discounted.

Just enter the promo code: NEWYEARPRO to get your discount.

Merry Christmas New Zealand!

Laurie & Gina

Prohibition Hats NZ

www.prohibitionhats.co.nz
https://plus.google.com/+LaurieTurnbullSEOGuy

Hats for the New Zealand summer

With the clocks going forward a few weeks ago, it became official: Summer's here. And not a moment too soon!

Here are a few tips on wearing the right Summer hats in the New Zealand sun.

Flat caps are still in

Flat caps (or cheese cutter hats) are a classic all year round staple and great hats for men or women. So not just for winter!

They're great because not only do they look snazzy, they also keep the harsh NZ sun out of your eyes but with a sophistication that a baseball cap simply can't muster.

Look for cotton and linen materials as they're lighter than wool and polyester. If you want super light, go for unlined interiors (but watch out for the unavoidable sweat patch).

Bring on the straw hats

This time of year, we get to don the straw hat and make like Gatsby (see more tips on how to look like the great Gatsby himself here).

Straw hats come in all shapes and sizes. This year, striped bands are in with the modern stingy brim fedora shape taking centre stage (closely followed by the more traditional
boater).

In the southern hemisphere, we're a pretty conservative bunch but try and push yourself beyond the brown straw trilby. There are plenty of colours, shapes and styles to choose from. And why stop at one? Buy a couple of straw hats and mix it up a little!

A hat fit for evening wear

In New Zealand, getting dressed up for a night out often means little more than jeans and trainers (or jandals if you're feeling super laid back).

Thats great, but where does the summer hat fit? Well, the great thing about contemporary Urban hats is that they can be dressy without being formal.

Try it out; a light brown flat cap (such as Burbank) looks the business with a pair of light jeans and trainers without being full on dressy.

Perfect for when lazy summer afternoons turn into social summer evenings (without a wardrobe break).

Caring for you summer hat

Summer tends to result in heat and that tends to mean sweat. I know, I know, it's icky but it is what it is.

The good news is that modern hats like ours are pretty darn resilient if you look after them.

The truck is to HAND wash them in a mild detergent then let them air dry. Please don't machine wash or tumble dry them.

Get the best hats from the southern hemisphere

One of the best things about selling hats in NZ (apart from my love for all things headwear) is that I get to bring all the coolest styles over from the northern hemisphere.

Watch out for our Goorin Brothers Hat classics, our favourite Jaxon Hats summer line and a new line of Kangol hats and caps.

Summer's here! Be kind to your head.

Anybody got any fab hats they'd like us to get in? Let me know.

Laurie
Prohibition Hats NZ

The Newsboy: Creating the Gatsby look

Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby,” premiered in New Zealand on the 6th June and you’re probably  thinking to yourself, “That Gatsby was a stylish fellow! I wish people still dressed like that.”

Well, the good news is the style is having a renaissance in the northern hemisphere - so why not here as well?

<Read the movie's reviews here>

The Prohibition era style

The roaring 1920s was a decadent era for Society's elite. They held opulent parties for their peers; where indulgence reigned supreme and people wanted for nothing. Basking in the rays of a pre-Depression America: the Land of the Free where the streets where paved with gold.

On the working side of the class divide, people  lived a different existence. One of varying degrees of hardship (to become decidedly harder when the Depression hit).

What brought the classes together was society's shared sense of style; of dressing for the occasion.

Dress like Jay Gatsby

The long reach of the British Empire had withered and with it, the extent of her influence. From her new found freedom, the USA found a personality that would forever more be synonymous with the Prohibition era.

1920s America borrowed much of its style of dress from Britain (due in part to the mass immigration of the time) but that's where the similarities ended.

A gentlemen always wore a suit - befitting the occasion for which it was to be worn. Tailoring was impeccable; the concept of 'off-the-rack' was yet to be invented. Colour, layering and flamboyance was in.

The hat maketh the man

Whether working class or social elite, a man would not be seen outdoors without a hat.

Every outdoor pursuit was an occasion to Don a different outfit and with it, the appropriate head wear.

It was during this period that classic hats  like the cheese cutter and modern versions of the fedora really came into their own. (The short brim trilby wouldn't appear for another four decades.)

During this time, the golf ivy came into vogue, along with the boater and of course, the Newsboy (or Gatsby).

You need Gatsby's millions to dress like him!

Finding the full set up may be a bit tricky for your average Kiwi man but there are a few places in the US of A that do specialise. But the prices are not for the faint hearted!

Throw on one $698 jacket, a pair of $598 shoes, some $298 trousers and a single $98.50 tie and you, too, can be Jay Gatsby – for just under $1,700 US old sport! (That's closer to $2100 to us Kiwis.)

1920s era options this side of the world

For most of us, the odd 1920s flourish is sufficient. Just enough to accentuate the outfit and a little bit of that 'head turning' interest I'm always talking about.

Pop online to www.indochino.com for a quality tie ($60), and a decent shirt ($200) and pick up your shoes from Scarpa ($200) and you're already on your way.

And, of course, the hat. Well, now you can satisfy your 1920s urges with a Newsboy hat for under $100.

Rather ol' sport!

Laurie Turnbull
Owner/Founder
Prohibition Hats NZ
www.prohibitionhats.co.nz
www.facebook.com/prohibitionhats