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

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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

Men's hats: 3 essential tips to selecting your hat

The hat: the fashion forward accessory

Read on for 3 essential tips to buying the right men's hats this Autumn: fit, fabric and construction. 

Men's Fashion Week in London firmly planted the urban hat on the heads of all fashion forward men.

But as the gruffer of the species we aren't always known for our love of shopping. Are we fellas?  So, how do we stay current in our look with as little fruitless shopping as possible?

1. Find the Fit

When we talk about 'fit', we mean: 'how well does it fit you'. Ask yourself questions like: does the hat pinch at the your temples? Is it snug or tight? Does the peak sit as low across your forehead as you would like?

When you don a hat that fits well, it shows. Whether you're wearing a fedora or a cheese cutter hat, finding a hat that complements the shape of your face and head is a must.

Our hat size chart will give you some pointers on measuring up your noggin for the perfect fit.

2. Select your Fabric

There are two key things to think about here: the kind of fabric and the quality of the fabric.

Firstly, the type of fabric. The range of hat fabrics available is pretty mind boggling. Look for cottons, wools, twills, tweed and polyester blends. It's not the case that viscose and lycra are bad (they are often used for those little design finishes) but they ought to be small proportions of the overall material mix.

Think about when you are going to wear the hat. Consider the season, whether you'll be indoors or outdoors and whether you'll be wearing it during the day or night.

Generally speaking, wool, merino and wool/polyester blends are good winter options. Light cottons and linens lend themselves best to warmer months. Note: don't ignore the linings as they make a big difference.

However, regardless of its kind, material quality is key.

Feel (with your fingers) the softness of the material - there shouldn't be any rough edges or friction when you put the hat on. (If there is, the material quality is low or the fit is wrong). Is there any bobbling or fraying (suggests the item does not wash well).

And finally...

3. Inspect the Construction

How well put together is the hat? Does it feel sturdy and firm?

Pay close attention to the peak and each individual panel . All the seams should be double stitched with no loose threads or material separation. Give the hat a gentle tug at the seams to check.

Even a light hat (eg made from linen) should be sturdy and substantive.

Again, don't forget about the inside linings. Cheaper, less well-constructed hats usually skimp on these details. (That's if they even have an inside lining!)

The perfect hat

So there you have it. A hat that fits well, is made from quality fabrics and is well constructed will look good, feel good and will stand the test of time if looked after.

'Till next time hat lovers.

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

How is a cheese cutter different from a duck bill flat cap?

How is a cheese cutter different from a duck bill flat cap?

The cheese cutter classic shape

The cheese cutter hat has a wide brow and a peak which starts right at the top of the hat and protrudes out significantly. If you look at its profile, you'll see it has a 'wedge' appearance which is possibly linked to the origin of the name 'cheese cutter' (history is a little vague on that one).

The origin of the cheese cutter

The cheese cutter shape is synonymous with flat cap hats and can be traced back to the 14th century in Northern England and parts of Southern Italy. There it  was more likely to be called a "bonnet", which term was replaced by "cap" sometime before about 1700.

 

Flat caps were almost universally worn in the 19th century by working class men throughout Britain and Ireland. However, versions in finer cloth were considered to be suitable casual countryside wear for upper-class English men (hence the contemporary alternative name golf cap). 

The Duckbill flat cap

The duckbill (called an 'Ivy' in the USA) has quite a different shape to a cheese cutter.

Its origins are from when Irish and English immigrants arrived in the United States, bringing the flat cap with them. 

However, the origins of the duck bill shape is less clear. It is certainly a derivative of the original flat cap (with the same long peak) but it has been influenced heavily by the more modern hat shapes that came out of the States from the 1990s onwards.

Which fits better - a cheese cutter or duckbill flat cap?

Well, this really comes down to the shape of your head (or, to be more exact, your face).

Cheese cutters have a wide brow so have the effect of shortening your face. Whereas duckbills are ideal for people with a square face as their shallower peak and less roomy brow hugs your head more giving the hat a rounder appearance, softening your chin line. 

The best thing to do is try a few on a see what you prefer! Check out my blog '3 tips for choosing the right hat' as well as our 'hat size chart' for help on how to find the right hat for you.

Shop online for the best deals

Prohibition Hats NZ has the best range of cheese cutters and duck bill flat caps at the lowest prices in New Zealand.

We have a huge range of duck bill hats, traditional cheese cutter hats and loads more. Whatever your style, you'll find it here.

So, for the most stylish flat caps in NZ, shop online at www.prohibitionhats.co.nz/category/cheese-cutter-hats

Make a statement with your hat NZ!

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

Prohibition Hats NZ market update

NZ's best premium urban hats & caps at your local Auckland market

We can't think of a better way for our customers to get their hands on the expert craftsmanship of our premium hats and caps. We're so excited to be getting into the wonderful Auckland Market circuit! They're such a great way for us to get out there and meet our customers and get amongst the thick of it.

Prohibition Hats NZ market calendar

Next Market: Saturday 25 May, Tamaki Drive Market

Stay up to date on our market shenanigans by liking us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/prohibitionhats or signing up to our newsletter www.prohibitionhats.co.nz/page/newsletter

The Winter flat cap and making new friends

The locals were loving our range of winter cheese cutters. Particularly sought after were our Brooklyn Flat Caps by Jaxon hats.  This is a great wool cheese cutter ideal for the colder weather but light enough that your head won't spontaneously combust during Autumn!

Lots of people were asking about our winter fedoras. Never fear! Our winter line of fedoras (and flat caps) will be in stock soon. We'll be sure to bring them along to our next market. (Sign up to our newsletter at www.prohibitionhats.co.nz/page/newsletteror like us at www.facebook.com/prohibitionhats to stay up to date.)

Essence of Europe market in Titirangi

The Essence of Europe market takes place every second Sunday at the War Memorial at Titirangi. Click here for a map. It's a great market for all the family selling everything from organic cheese to wood carvings and, of course, the best urban hats and caps in New Zealand! (It also has the best selection of sweet pastries in the Southern Hemisphere - a diabetic's nightmare but ooohhhh so good.)

We'd like to take our hats off to Ange for organising this great event for the local community. Whether you're European or just interested n something a little bit different, you'll love this market. Find them on https://www.facebook.com/essenceofeurope.events?fref=ts

Prohibition Hats NZ: Next market - Saturday 25th May, Tamaki Drive Market

Stay up to date on when and where we'll be by liking us on Facebook or signing up for our newsletter


So, a big thank you to the Essence of Europe Market and the people of Titirangi and surrounding areas. Catch us at a market soon or go to www.prohibitionhats.co.nz to shop online.


Laurie TurnbullOwner/Founder
Prohibition Hats NZ
www.prohibitionhats.co.nz
www.facebook.com/prohibitionhats
www.twitter.com/prohibitionhats

Goorin Bros Fedoras & Trilbys - Winter line

Latest winter fedoras from Goorin Bros

Shop online for the most stylish winter fedoras in NZ. Our range of Trilbys and fedoras are the perfect accessory for you winter wardrobe.

Shop online for our latest fedoras

Stay warm in a stylish wool trilby

The weather is definitely taking a turn for the colder. Keep your head warm in a Prohibition Hats NZ fedora or trilby. We have a great range of wool fedoras that are guaranteed to finish off any outfit and keep you warm.

Shop online for winter fedoras

Best range of Goorin Bros fedoras in New Zealand

Prohibition Hats NZ's winter Fedoras by Goorin Bros are the lowest prices in New Zealand. Our fedoras and trilbies start from just $99.95 with free national shipping when you buy 2 order hats in one order.

And with our no hassle returns, you can buy hats online with no worries.

Make a statement with a Prohibition Hats NZ winter fedora.

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

3 Common reasons for bad hat choices

I feel really confident when I put on a stylish hat. It finishes my outfit, makes me look and feel complete. In fact, I never leave home without one. So, why  do so many proud & bold kiwis hide their locks under average, poorly fitting baseball caps? 

Some common reasons why people wear rubbish hats

1 Reason: I just can't find anything I like on New Zealand's high street. 

1 Solution:  You aren't looking in the right place! Check out the great range of cool urban hats on offer at www.prohibitionhats.co.nz

With our great range of Cheese Cutters, Fedoras and
Newsboy hats you're bound to find the right hat for you

2 Reason: I don't want to spend a fortune on a hat so I'll buy one for the price of a pint of Tui instead!

2 Solution: A quality hat or cap from prohibitionhats.co.nz won't break the bank. Our hats sale prices start from as low as $50! As soon as you put it on you'll feel the difference and look great.

                                          Check our sale hats for prices as low as $50

3 Reason: Can I return the hat if I don't like it? 

3 Solution: You can return any hat Prohibition Hats NZ hat within 7 days of purchase for a no hassle refund. So we practically guarantee you'll find the  right hat for you. And our great range of Trilbies, Fedoras, Cheese Cutters, Army Cadet Hats and Newsboys are sure to provide some inspiration. 

Bruce Willis sporting a cool cheese cutter and Samuel Jackson looking
cool in a brown felt trilby

Don't hide your head. Accessorise it with Prohibition Hats NZ

Laurie
Prohibition Hats NZ
Shop Online at www.prohibitionhats.co.nz
Follow us on www.facebook.com/prohibitionhats

A hat for autumn

Hats fit on people of all shapes and sizes

"Chur bro." he says as he crashes down beside me. I give the kid a nod. But this kid isn't a kid at all. He's a six foot odd giant of a man sporting some pretty sweet looking Bose headphones clamped around a mean pinstripe flat cap. This is a man who takes his choice of head wear seriously.

And his music; which he clearly wants to share with the rest of the carriage. I can't quite place the band he's listening to but it sounds a bit like a cross between Shapeshifter and Slipnot.

He does look cool in that hat though. I smile as he acknowledges my Goorin Brothers Gingham Newsboy Hat from Prohibition Hats NZ. A fellow hat lover.

Soon cotton and straw hats will turn to wool

It's a pretty chilly morning and looking across the train carriage I can see people are starting to wrap up a little warmer than the previous few weeks of dry perfect NZ summer has demanded.

Straw hats and floppies are giving way to warmer head wear that sits a little lower on the brow. Cotton flat caps and baseball caps are taking more prominence. And in the coming weeks, cotton and straw will turn to wool and polyester as the Summer wardrobe is shelved for another year.

The perfect hat for Autumn

For many, the fighting Kiwi spirit prevails, and they bullishly hold on to their t shirt and baseball cap combo into Autumn (and often Winter). But just as many more will start thinking about keeping their heads a little warmer and their brains a little more insulated as they commute to work.

This requires a little bit of pre-meditated hat selection. Straws and paper hats are no good. Not enough insulation for that walk to the train station. Beanies or ear flaps - too hot. You'll be sweating through that hat before you know it.

The answer lies with the humble cotton hat or cap. A great material that is as breathable as it is warm. There are many styles to choose, from newsboy hats to cadet caps, flat caps to bucket hats.But, let's hope that the Summer holds out a little.

Laurie

Prohibition Hats NZ

www.prohibitionhats.co.nz

The hat compliments your work attire

What you wear to work makes you feel good! (Who would have thought?)

Justine Jamieson wrote a fantastic article about how what you wear in the workplace affects how your feel and are perceived (read the article here). She talked about the importance of accessories but what about the humble hat?!

If, like me, you are follicly challenged, wearing a hat to the offîce is a must in Summer. But I, like many city folk am in my thirties and a baseball cap is an absolute no go! So how do I make sure I look the part and keep the harsh sun off my shiny pâté?

Find a hat that suits your style

It's surprisingly easy to narrow down your selection of your preferred office head wear. 

1. What colour hat is right?

 Answer - conservative colours are usually the way to go (unless you work for an advertising company or similar then go for your life!). Look for blacks, dark greys and blues as they will most likely match your outfit. If you wear Jeans and a shirt rather than a suit, you're still on to a winner. The trick is to have a conservative colour but with a little flair of design to give it an edge. Check out there Moretti Fedora Hat: a traditional Fedora with a white gosband for a distinctive edge.

The Moretti is a traditional blue pinstripe
but the white band adds a touch of flair 

2 Flat cap, Fedora, Straw or trilby? 

This is a difficult call. The best advice I could give would be to look at yourself and pick a style that complements your personality (see my blog on how to choose a hat perfect for you. 

The flat cap is the most versatile: go for a cheese cutter style and you have yourself a formal yet laid back hat. Ramp up the individuality with a newsboy hat and now we're talking baby! Get that tilt on and swagger your way to the next meeting.

Fedora or trilby hat? Again difficult and all about who you are as a person. A Trilby has a stingy brim and smaller crown than a Fedora Hat (check out my previous blog for more on the difference) so makes it a little bit more funky. The traditional Fedora is often seen to be a little bit more 'old school'. Personally, I love them - but my wife thinks they make me look old(er) so I stick to trilbys.

The Fedora is the way to for max impact

3 Where should I buy the hat?

OK, let me have one shameless plug. www.prohibitionhats.co.nz has a great range of hats each with its own distinctive style. We love hats (have you noticed?) and feel very passionately about making premium designer hats available to New Zealanders without the premium price tag. If you feel like supporting a small local business, check out our website. With your help, we can only get bigger and better.

4 How premium is premium?

Okay. Like beauty, premium quality hats and caps are in the eye of the beholder. One person's Mitchell and Ness is another's Goorin Bros. One thing to do is to take a look at the price tag. 

If the hat is a 'one-size-fits-all, made in Taiwan special' and costs $30, it's likely that it isn't going to a) fit you properly b) look particularly good and c) last as long as it should (well constructed hats and caps should hold together when you wash them). 

Take it from me, as a retailer, after you've covered manufacturing costs, freight, import tariffs and fees, distribution and marketing, you're not going to see a whole lot of profit out of your $30 RRP. (For the astute readers, this should give you a fairly good indication of the materials and per unit cost - ergo, what the hat is actually worth versus what you're paying.)

Thankfully, it actually isn't all that hard to separate the wood from the chaff. A good quality, individually designed, premium hat like the hats we sell online aren't all that expensive. In most cases, you're talking $60-$75 (often less if we're feeling generous :-) and you're getting a whole load of hat for your money.

You know what? I feel energised enough to write a blog entry dedicated to the debate: when is premium, well premium. And, more importantly, how much we think the great New Zealand public should have to pay!

Laurie Turnbull
Founder, Prohibition Hats NZ
www.ProhibitionHats.co.nz
www.facebook.com/ProhibitionHats

How is a Fedora hat different from a Trilby?

How is a Fedora Hat different to a Trilby?

The answer to this often asked question is they are both Fedoras. The trilby is simply a narrowed brimmed Fedora.  

The Trilby has a shorter brim which is angled or 'snapped down' at the front and slightly turned up at the back. The trilby also has a slightly shorter crown than a typical fedora design.The classic Fedora on the other hand has a wider, flatter brim which is more traditional. 

Here are a couple of examples of a Trilby (notice the stingy brim):

The Moretti Fedora Hat

Mr Doyle Trilby Hat

Here are a couple of examples of a Classic Fedora (notice the flatter brim):

When to choose a Trilby or a Fedora Hat

The question of whether to go for a Trilby or a Fedora hat is very much about personal taste. The trick is to make the hat unique to your own style and personality. Read my blog entry 3 tips to choose the right hat for you for some helpful tips.

Some people think the Trilby is funkier than, the more formal, Fedora. To be fair, I personally prefer the fedora as I have a fairly large head and the stingy brim of the trilby doesn't quite sit right. The generous brim on the fedora hat gives the hat more balance (and lets me look mysterious when I tilt it down).

Goorin Brothers do Fedora Hats very well

Goorin Bros are our favourite hat makers at Prohibition Hats (Check out the range of Goorin bros hats). Here is a fantastic video from Goorin Bros talking about the classic snap brim Fedora hat shape and how to make it your own.



As always, if you have any comments or questions, just leave them here and I'll get back to you.

Laurie Turnbull
Founder, Prohibition Hats NZ
www.prohibitionhats.co.nz

3 Tips for choosing the right hat

3 Tips for choosing the right Hat for you

So many hats but which to choose?

I often get asked “there are so many styles of hats; which hat is the right one for me? The truth is, finding the right hat for you is a uniquely personal experience.  There are a range of styles available from Fedora hats to Newsboy hats to Cadet hats (to name but a few) and it can feel a bit like a minefield. The good news is that there are some simple tips to follow to find the perfect hat for you.

Tip #1: Find the right hat size

In New Zealand we are, unfortunately, awash with a sea of ‘one size fits all’ hats Now, don’t get me wrong, this is all well and good for the casual hat wearer, but what if you want it to look good? That’s why you’re wearing a hat in the first place right? There are some really helpful tips on how to measure your [hat size] on our online store at http://www.prohibitionhats.co.nz/page/hat-size-guide

Tip #2: Match your hat to your outfit

The next step is to think about the kind of outfits you typically wear and then match a hat accordingly. Maybe you’re going casual, like jeans and a tshirt - so think about a cadet hat. It’s casual, funky and comfortable. Maybe you’re looking for a hat that is a bit more formal, say, to go with a shirt and trousers – so look at a Newsboy hat or Flat cap. Still room for a bit of style, not as formal as a fedora or trilby but more sophisticated than a base ball cap.

Tip #3: Look for hats that are a little bit different

The hat might maketh the outfit, but it’s the person wearing it that matters the most. Your personality should sing through the hats you wear and be as unique as you are. Try and avoid going for the ‘One Size Fits all’ high street specials (we’ve all seen the faceless pinstripe trilbys on the heads of the Ponsonby elite that never fit and all look the same). Pick out something that stands out a bit and makes people actually say “where did you get that hat?”.

I guarantee the difference in price between a well fitting, individual hat that matches your outfit and complements your style and personality and a scuzzy mid market Asian import comes down to a matter of $30!

That’s not a lot more for a hat that really works for you.

Laurie Turnbull
Founder of Prohibition Hats NZ

England is a darted panel ivy in a subtle seersucker cotton fabric. Buy this hat online today

Rope Swing is a sloped cadet in a custom grey pinstripe fabric. Buy this hat online today