If you're seeking something really unique, look to The Garibaldi Newsboy is a patch cap made from carefully selected scraps of the finest wools. No two are the same. Sweet. There's a wool blend patchwork ivy cap from Christys' Italian Collection, called The Piave, that is just as attention grabbing, while The Elaine, from JB Stetson of Germany, is a stand-out tweed fisherman cap, singular in its simplicity, with self-trim and slim leather bound bill.
For traditionalists, one of the purest forms of headwear (after the Greek Fisherman cap in an ultra-fine wool blend) has got to be The Original Irish Walking Hat from Jonathan Richard. Maybe I'm just extra sensitive, but I tend to lapse into a heavy brogue every time I don mine. Jonathan Richard's newsboy cap, The Dobby, is absolutely captivating with its rich texture and sparking color mix, while the virgin wool, satin-lined Baker Boy Newsboy is sheer fun, with plenty of material to slough off to the side or wear straight on. The County Wool Ivy Cap is similarly outstanding, so good luck to you in trying to choose just one!
Cashmere is my friend, and when JB Stetson brought out their 100% Mongolian cashmere watch cap, The Surth, with embroidered Stetson logo, I just couldn't help myself. Bought it in three colors. So can you. There's also a cashmere ivy cap from Borsalino which I've named The Leonardo. You simply will not believe how soft it feels -- both in the hand and on the head. I know you worship at the same cashmere altar as me, because The Wigens Gotland Cashmere ball cap was such a smashing success last year I not only brought it back this year, but have added The Olaf, its ivy cap counterpart. New from Christys' is The Ione, a half wool and half cashmere newsboy cap, with cushion front and snap peak. I like it. There's just a hint of cashmere in The Sardinia, a handsome ivy cap, another fabulous piece from Christys' Italian Collection, and it's offered in two great plaids.
You do know there's more, right? There's the checked light brown of that most wonderful Borsalino Rex, The Calabria; The Kangol Wool Flex Baseball Cap, warm and good-looking and the only ball cap with a kangaroo embroidered on it! Eeven that great Borsalino ball cap, The Umbria, is sans marsupial, although it is fully lined and does have the Borsalino name on it. Of course, there's no rodent on The Essex, JB Stetson's plaid ball cap, either, but it's got a great leather bill. More of the season's new inclusions are from Helen Kaminski, who features her 'Lana Italian' Collection, with the elegant Paglini beret, the stylish Omaga bucket hat and a high fashion military-style cap, called The Luthien.
Have I touched on The Bodmin from JB Stetson, a wool and poly plaid ivy, or The Adriatic, a stingy brim wool walking hat from Christys' Italian Collection (its ivy cap cousin, The Tiber, is made from the same herringbone fabric, by the way), or even one of the two Hatteras caps? It's true, JB Stetson has two wool tweed newsboy caps (The Hatteras and The Hatteras II), the only difference being in the herringbone pattern.
What, no mention of The Left Bank lined newsboy, from Anthony Peto of Paris? It's far and away my favorite cap this fall, although The Versailles newsboy from the same designer boasts of the nicest herringbone patterns I've ever run across. I believe I've overlooked The Milvian, too - just the best longshoreman cap around, is all -- as well as those classic ivy caps from Kangol, The Carrimac Cap and The 504 Wool Ivy.
I suppose it's too much to expect me to remember every wool hat and cap available here at HartfordYork.com, but remind me sometime to tell you the story behind that wool newsboy from Christys', The Claudius, and how I found the plaid Eastpoint bucket hat from JB Stetson. Call me and I'll regale you with the back story to The Basque Beret and The Kangol Herringbone Gaffer. We'll have a chat about my hand in the design of the exclusive Wigens Erikson, a 100% lambs wool herringbone ivy. I came up with the black paisley lining and leather covered brim. I hope you like it.
Forgive me. It must be the excitement. I leave the rest to you. You've obviously got a good hat-wearing head on your shoulders.
