Top Hat Brands: Elevate Your Style with These Iconic Labels

Hats have been essential accessories in the fashion world for centuries, combining both style and functionality. Whether you're seeking the perfect fedora to complement your vintage outfit or a sporty cap for your next outdoor adventure, selecting the right brand can elevate your look. Renowned brands continue to set trends and standards with their craftsmanship and innovative designs. Curious to find out which brands top the list? Discover more below.

Illustration of hat

Best brands of hat in 2025

Stetson

Stetson is a renowned American brand that has been a pinnacle in hat manufacturing since its founding by John B. Stetson in 1865. The company became the world's largest hat maker, producing over 3.3 million hats annually by the early 20th century, with its iconic "Boss of the Plains" hat symbolizing the American West. By 1915, Stetson employed nearly 5,400 workers and produced more than 3 million hats each year. Despite the decline in hat sales post-World War II, Stetson remains a gold standard for quality fur felt hats, with many of its products still made in the USA. Today, Stetson hats are crafted in Texas, maintaining the high-quality craftsmanship that has defined the brand for over 150 years. For a detailed Stetson hats review, visit the Gentleman's Gazette.

New Era

New Era Cap Company, founded in 1920 and headquartered in Buffalo, New York, is the world's leading headwear manufacturer, producing over 65 million hats annually. As the exclusive supplier of on-field caps for Major League Baseball since 1993, New Era ensures that less than 2-3% of its production, specifically the MLB on-field caps, are made in the US, while the majority are manufactured in China and Vietnam. The company boasts more than 500 different licenses and a global workforce of 1,200 employees. New Era's revenue exceeds $1 billion, with a significant online presence, including 1.3 million monthly visitors to their website. Their iconic 59FIFTY and 58FIFTY caps are among their best-selling products.

Brixton

Brixton, founded in 2004, is a renowned apparel brand that excels in producing high-quality hats and headwear, inspired by the diverse cultures of Southern California and the world. Starting from a garage in Oceanside, CA, the brand has grown to be distributed in over 30 countries, offering a wide range of products including hats made from sustainable materials like cruelty-free wool and recycled fishing nets. Brixton's commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of certified Responsible Wool Standards and recycled synthetic fibers, with 35% of their apparel made from sustainable fibers. Their products are designed for timeless style and durability, aiming to outlast trends and reduce waste. The brand's innovative approach includes using biodegradable bags and 100% recycled boxes for shipping.

Borsalino

Borsalino, founded in 1857 by Giuseppe Borsalino, is the oldest Italian company specializing in luxury hat production, based in Alessandria, Piedmont. By 1888, the company was producing 2,500 hats a day, and by the eve of World War I, it was manufacturing over 2 million hats annually, employing more than 2,500 workers. Borsalino's hats, particularly the felt models made from fur fibers, require over 50 manual steps and seven weeks to create, while straw models can take up to six months. The brand gained global fame after winning the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900 and became a staple in Hollywood during the silent film era. Despite financial struggles, Borsalino continues to maintain its high-quality craftsmanship and cultural significance. For more on Borsalino's rich history and enduring legacy, explore further.

Kangol

Kangol, a renowned British clothing company, has been a leading producer of high-quality headwear since its founding in 1938. The brand, known for its iconic kangaroo logo introduced in 1983, has a rich history of supplying hats to the British Armed Forces and the British Olympic Team. Kangol hats gained significant popularity in the 1980s and 1990s within the hip-hop community, with celebrities like Run-D.M.C. and LL Cool J frequently wearing them. In 2015, Bollman Hat Company, which acquired the global license for Kangol in 2001, brought the manufacturing of the iconic 504 style back to the United States, creating 41 new jobs and retaining 176 existing positions. Despite facing challenges with higher labor costs, Bollman remains committed to U.S. manufacturing, with the Adamstown factory producing about 20% of Kangol's total output. For more information on this iconic headwear, visit the Bollman Hat Company website.

Akubra

Akubra, a renowned Australian brand, has been a leading producer of high-quality hats for over 147 years, tracing its history back to a Tasmanian hatmaker in the late 1870s. The company, now based in Kempsey, New South Wales, is known for its handmade hats, each taking six weeks to produce through 162 steps and passing through 60 pairs of hands. Akubra has a rich history, including supplying slouch hats for the Australian Army in both World Wars and producing over 200,000 hats annually, with 15% of its income coming from overseas sales. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the company maintained its workforce by implementing a 3.5-day workweek and has seen a significant surge in demand, leading to a six-to-eight week backlog. Akubra continues to be a family-owned business, currently managed by the fourth generation of the Keir family. For more details, visit their official website.

Bailey of Hollywood

Bailey of Hollywood, founded in 1922 by George S. Bailey, is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in producing high-quality hats made from the finest materials such as fur felt, leather, straw, wool, and cloth. The company has a rich history, including the pioneering of the Western cloth hat in 1941 and the acquisition of the rights to make the Hopalong Cassidy Hat in 1949. Bailey's LiteFelt(r) finish, introduced in their hats, makes them water repellent and shape retentive, contributing to their best-selling status. The company has expanded significantly, moving to a 70,000-square-foot plant in California's San Fernando Valley in 1969 and maintaining a strong presence in the hat industry. With a revenue of $16 million, Bailey of Hollywood continues to be a leading brand in hat production. Find more about their exceptional offerings on their official website.

Goorin Bros.

Goorin Bros. is a renowned American family retailer that has been designing and selling hats for 125 years, founded in 1895 by artisan hat maker Cassel Goorin. The company, now run by Cassel's great-grandson Ben Goorin, operates 30 flagship stores in North America and is celebrated for its contemporary, street-smart hats, including the popular trucker hats and other categories like fedoras and beanies. Goorin Bros. has adapted to societal changes, expanding from wholesale to retail and eCommerce, with a significant presence on platforms like Amazon. The company generated an estimated annual revenue of $36.6 million and has seen a 1% growth in employee count. Goorin Bros. has also improved its fulfillment KPIs by integrating online and brick-and-mortar stores, with stores fulfilling 60% of online orders in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Lock & Co. Hatters

Lock & Co. Hatters, established in 1676, is the world's oldest hat shop and the 34th oldest family-owned business, renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and quality products. This British hat maker has been a Royal warrant holder, including for the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), and has created iconic hats such as the bowler hat in 1849. The company's hats have been worn by notable figures including Admiral Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill, and Charlie Chaplin. With over 300 years of history, Lock & Co. Hatters continues to maintain its principles of excellence, now run by the seventh generation of the founding family. The brand's commitment to using fine materials like wool, cashmere, and silk ensures durability and style. For more details, visit Lock & Co. Hatters' official website.

Patagonia

Patagonia stands out as a leading producer of hats, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Since its founding in 1973, Patagonia has consistently prioritized eco-friendly materials, such as 100% organic cotton and recycled polyester, which are used in products like the P-6 Logo Lo Pro Trucker Hat. This hat features a brim made from fully traceable NetPlus(r) 100% recycled fishing nets and is Fair Trade Certified(tm), reflecting Patagonia's dedication to fair labor practices and environmental stewardship. As of 2015, bluesign-approved fabrics comprise 30% of the total fabric used in Patagonia products, further highlighting their environmental efforts. Patagonia's rigorous standards, including a 4-fold approach to supply chain decisions, ensure high-quality and responsibly made products.