SET SAIL: It’s time to pull out those nautical appliquéd anchors and put them on crushers and cloches. We feel that classical nautical motifs and navy and white marine headwear is going to have a rebirth in popularity. This goes hand in hand with the renewed interest in stripes and shades of red, white and blue. Could it also have something to do with the conservative movement and military glorification? The jury is out.

Bob Broner of Broner Inc. has a few thoughts about hat trends. “Stingy brims are in, especially (1 1/8’’ – 2”) brims in wool felt, corduroy, flannel, cloth and straw. This look will continue to be strong into the first season of 2006. Also a strong seller, the shapeable western hats with wire in the brim. “Rock N’Roll is sweet music to hat sales. With so many musicians and entertainers switching their preferred headwear from caps to hats, our sales are rocking. Stingy brims, westerns with shapeable brims, and military looks are all hot sellers in the Broner line. Sales are ahead of plan. We just returned from our Spring 06 buying trips and see these trends continuing into next year as well.”

DERBY ATTRACTS MAD HATTERS: According to a recent article in the Huntsville Times, the Kentucky Derby was all about dressing up. “ 40,000 grown-up Barbies arm-locked onto 40,000 grown-up Kens in suits and sports coats, headed to wallow in a galaxy far, far away from most of us. The event was all about the hats. Big hats. Flowery hats. Hats with bows. Hats that glow. Hats with lace. Hats for outer space. Hats that hide. Hats that should be hidden. Elegant hats. Goofy hats.”

WHAT’S UNDER THE BRIM? David Kappele, Director of Tilley Hats wants to know: “I have always been told that a darker under-brim (usually a shade of green) on a hat or ball cap helps cut the glare from the sun, lights or reflected light. Most baseball player’s caps have a green under-brim for this reason. Is there any evidence or insight that any of your subscribers would have that can either prove or disprove this theory?”
If you have an answer or want to discuss this with Kappele, please contact him at:
In Canada at: 800-665-3574 or at 800-387-0272 from the US to Canada.

MEN FORM THEIR OWN RED HAT GROUP CALLED THE ROMEO’s, Retired Old Men Eating Out. Ranging in age from 59 to 86, residents of River Forest in Fort Myers Shores began having monthly lunch excursions this January. "It started as the popularity of the Red Hat Society took hold with the women," says co-founder Pat Darga.

"We do it for the comradeship," Mike Pastuch says. "Men are pretty much loners. We have a few ha-has, a few drinks. It works out nice. We have one rule: there are no rules," "We don't have any officers. We don't have any meetings. We don't have any dues. We just sit around and say 'what do you want to do?’” Their only required uniform is the red baseball cap emblazoned with "ROMEO.” For details, check out the group's Web site, www.romeoguys.com.