List of World Hat Brands
Learn About Global Hat Brands | A List of Authentic Hat Brands Chosen by History and Features
When trying to buy a hat, many people hit the hurdle of "I don't know which brand is the best after all". Hats from fashion brands and hat-specialized brands seem similar at first glance, but they are completely different. The way materials are chosen, how shapes are crafted, the comfort of wearing them—brands that have focused solely on making hats have accumulated years of craftsmanship and philosophy.
In this article, we have compiled hat brands from around the world by their country or region. From long-established luxury houses to emerging specialized brands, we introduce each brand's history and characteristics. We hope this will help you find the one that suits you.
Italian Hat Brands
When it comes to the birthplace of hats, Italy is the first to come to mind. Especially in Tuscany and Marche regions, the hat industry has taken root for a long time, with a history that has led the global hat industry.
Borsalino
Founded in Alessandria, Italy in 1857, it is one of the most famous hat brands in the world. Its history began when founder Giuseppe Borsalino established a workshop that gathered only expert felt hat craftsmen. It won the Grand Prix at the 1900 Paris Exposition, establishing its global reputation. It is also known for being worn by numerous Hollywood stars such as Humphrey Bogart in *Casablanca* and Al Pacino in *The Godfather*. In 1970, it became the first brand to have its name used directly as a movie title. Even today, it upholds traditional handcrafted production methods.
- Founded: 1857
- Headquarters: Alessandria, Italy
- Key Items: Felt fedoras, Panama hats
- Features: Traditional handcrafted production methods, deep connection to film culture
Tesi
Founded in 1850, it is an old-established hat brand in Florence. In the late 19th century, it gained popularity in Europe and America as a manufacturer of straw-braid hats, a specialty of Tuscany region. It also has a history of supplying OEMs to Borsalino and James Lock, and is highly regarded for its technical expertise in the industry. It produces a wide range of items from felt hats to straw hats.
- Founded: 1850
- Headquarters: Florence, Italy
- Key Items: Straw hats, felt hats
- Features: Proven track record of OEM supply to prestigious brands, traditional Tuscan craftsmanship
Panizza
Founded in 1879, it is an old-established Italian brand based in Tuscany. Descendants of its founder have carried forward its craftsmanship for over a century. Guided by the philosophy of "seeking expert craftsmen, paying attention to details, pursuing high-quality materials, and prioritizing sustainability and environmental care", it continues to create hats that combine durability and beauty.
- Founded: 1879
- Headquarters: Tuscany, Italy
- Key Items: Felt fedoras, classic hats
- Features: Consistent quality control through family ownership, environmental consideration
Sorbatti
Established in 1922 in Montappone, Italy, a region with a thriving hat industry. It focuses on "Made in Italy" production, balancing quality, detail, and price. It offers a wide range of products from classic hats to sports caps.
- Founded: 1922
- Headquarters: Montappone, Italy
- Key Items: Felt hats, straw hats
- Features: Balance of quality and price, wide product range
French Hat Brands
France is a country that has elevated hats to "fashion". In the world of haute couture, hats have long been positioned as an essential element to complete a silhouette, not just an accessory.
Maison Michel
Originated from an atelier opened in Paris in 1936 by hatmaker Auguste Michel. In the 1970s, it became the most sought-after hat manufacturer in Parisian haute couture, supplying headpieces to prestigious houses such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Chanel. It joined Chanel's Métiers d'Art in 1997, and now has its atelier at Le 19M in Paris. It owns over 3,000 wooden lasts for linden trees, and maintains traditional techniques of shaping felt, straw, and fabrics by hand. Since 2006, it has also launched its own brand collections.
- Founded: 1936
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Key Items: Felt hats, straw hats, headpieces
- Features: Part of Chanel's Métiers d'Art, deep ties to haute couture
British Hat Brands
While Britain is known as the land of gentlemen, it is also the center of hat culture. On St James's Street in London, long-established hatters still line up, preserving the tradition of supplying the royal family.
Lock & Co. Hatters
Founded in 1676, it is the world's oldest hat shop. Its store at 6 St James's Street in London is designated a Grade II* historic building. Today, it is still run by the 7th generation of the Lock family, its founding family. It is also famous for creating the original bowler hat (derby hat) in 1849. It has deep connections to historical figures such as Admiral Nelson's bicorne hat and Winston Churchill's homburg hat. It holds a Royal Warrant as a supplier to the British royal family.
- Founded: 1676
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Key Items: Bowler hats, fedoras, Panama hats
- Features: World's oldest hat shop, holds Royal Warrant, originator of the bowler hat
Christys'
Founded in 1773 by Miller Christy in London, it is an old-established British hat manufacturer with over 250 years of history. It is also known for making the homburg hat worn by Marlon Brando in *The Godfather*. It has earned high trust in practical use, having supplied official helmets to the British police for over two centuries. Now based in Oxfordshire, it operates in more than 44 countries worldwide. It also supplies OEMs to other prestigious hatters such as Lock & Co. and Bates.
- Founded: 1773
- Headquarters: Oxfordshire, UK
- Key Items: Top hats, bowler hats, fedoras
- Features: The UK's only manufacturer of top hats and bowler hats, deep connections to film and the royal family
Kangol
Founded in northern England in 1938. Originally a traditional British beret manufacturer, it merged with street culture after World War II. The "504" cap, launched in 1954, is also known for its "Back to Front" styling, becoming an iconic part of hip-hop culture. Over 80 years of history, it has grown into a unique brand that balances tradition and street style.
- Founded: 1938
- Headquarters: UK
- Key Items: 504 cap, berets
- Features: Blend with street culture, Back to Front style
American Hat Brands
American hat culture spans from cowboy hats from the Wild West to street baseball caps. Many American brands combine practicality with culture.
Stetson
Founded in Philadelphia in 1865, it is "the synonym for cowboy hats" and symbolizes American hat culture itself. It was created when founder John B. Stetson made a practical hat during a trip to the American West. Its signature "Boss of the Plains" features a tall crown and wide flat brim, becoming the prototype for all cowboy hats. In the early 20th century, it owned the world's largest hat factory, producing over 2 million hats annually. Today, it still offers a wide range of items from western hats to fashion hats.
- Founded: 1865
- Headquarters: Texas, USA (current)
- Key Items: Boss of the Plains, western felt hats
- Features: Created the prototype cowboy hat, symbol of American West culture
Dobbs Fifth Avenue
Founded in 1838, it is one of the "oldest hat brands in America". With a history dating back to the Civil War, its brand name, named after New York's Fifth Avenue, reflects its urban and sophisticated style. It mainly offers felt hats and straw hats.
- Founded: 1838
- Headquarters: USA
- Key Items: Felt fedoras, straw hats
- Features: One of America's oldest hat brands, urban style
Bailey
A hat brand founded in Hollywood in 1922. Given its origin in the center of the film industry, it has a history of supplying hats to numerous movies. It offers a wide range of collections from western hats to dress hats, continuing to support classic American hat culture.
- Founded: 1922
- Headquarters: Hollywood, USA
- Key Items: Western hats, dress hats
- Features: Connection to Hollywood film culture
New Era
Founded in New York in 1920. Known as the official cap supplier of MLB, it is synonymous with baseball caps. Fitted caps like the 59FIFTY have become essential items not just for sports but also street fashion. It is one of the most widely worn cap brands worldwide.
- Founded: 1920
- Headquarters: Buffalo, New York, USA
- Key Items: 59FIFTY fitted caps
- Features: MLB official supplier, symbol of street culture
Brixton
A hat-focused brand born in Oceanside, California. Its name comes from a song by British band The Clash, offering styles rooted in music and culture. Supported by diverse groups like surfers, skaters, and musicians, its simple yet meticulously designed silhouettes are its charm.
- Founded: 2004
- Headquarters: California, USA
- Key Items: Fedoras, flat caps
- Features: Connection to music culture, blend of casual and classic styles
German & Austrian Hat Brands
German-speaking hat brands are renowned for functionality and durable craftsmanship. Their felt hat quality is highly regarded globally.
Mayser
Founded in 1800, it is a top-tier hat supplier that Germany is proud of. Over its 200-year history, it maintains consistent quality control from material selection to finishing. It supplies hats worldwide that combine the sturdiness and functional beauty of German products, with a strong focus on felt hats and travel (foldable) hats.
- Founded: 1800
- Headquarters: Germany
- Key Items: Felt hats, travel hats
- Features: Over 200 years of history, balances functionality and quality
Mühlbauer
Founded in 1903, it is a hat brand based in Vienna. It has earned global acclaim for combining delicate handcraftsmanship, top-quality materials, and contemporary design. It has its workshop on Schwedenplatz in central Vienna, maintaining traditional production methods of shaping all materials (felt, straw, fabric, fur) on wooden lasts.
- Founded: 1903
- Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
- Key Items: Felt hats, straw hats
- Features: Handcrafted at its Vienna workshop, contemporary design
Other Countries' Hat Brands
Ecua-Andino — Ecuador
A brand that brings authentic Ecuadorian Panama hats to the world. Contrary to its name, Panama hats originate from Ecuador, woven by hand from toquilla straw (paja toquilla). Ecua-Andino supplies high-quality Panama hats to the international market while preserving traditional hand-weaving techniques.
- Headquarters: Ecuador
- Key Items: Panama hats
- Features: Authentic Ecuadorian origin, traditional hand-weaving techniques
Tardan — Mexico
Founded in 1858, it is a leading comprehensive hat brand in Mexico. With over 160 years of history, it offers a wide range of items from felt hats to straw hats. It is widely known across Latin America as a brand that embodies the hat culture of Latin America.
- Founded: 1858
- Headquarters: Mexico
- Key Items: Felt hats, straw hats
- Features: Mexico's one of the largest hat brands, over 160 years of history
Akubra — Australia
An iconic Australian hat brand, famous for its bush hats made from rabbit fur felt. While built to withstand Australia's harsh climate, its unique silhouettes have fans worldwide. It has a track record of supplying hats to the Australian military.
- Headquarters: Australia
- Key Items: Bush hats, felt hats
- Features: Rabbit fur felt, symbol of Australian outdoor culture
How to Choose a Hat Brand
With so many hat brands around the world, there are several factors to consider when finding the one that suits you.
Choose by purpose— If you want a classic felt hat: Borsalino or Lock & Co. If you want a Panama hat: Ecua-Andino. If you want a western style: Stetson. If you want a casual cap: New Era or Brixton. Once you decide your purpose, the brands will naturally narrow down.
Choose by material— Hat materials are diverse: felt (wool, rabbit fur, beaver), straw (Panama, raffia, wheat straw), fabrics (cotton, linen), etc. Each brand has materials it specializes in.
Choose by price range— Borsalino and Lock & Co. are high-end. Sorbatti and Brixton are more accessible. ReqHatter is designed to balance quality and price, perfect for those new to classic hats.
Choose by brand philosophy— Mass production or handcrafted by craftspeople? Direct-to-consumer or department stores? Does it run sales? A brand's sales policies and values are also important factors when choosing a hat to last a long time.
Summary
All global hat brands have unique histories and philosophies. From Lock & Co., founded in 1676, to Stetson that shaped cowboy culture, to Borsalino that walked alongside film culture—each brand is a story of people who dedicated their lives to the single item of a hat.
The key is to choose a brand that matches your style and values, not just because it's famous. We hope this article helps you find your perfect hat.
ReqHatter is a Japanese hat brand based in Fukuoka, specializing in classic men's hats.
With the concept of "hats that don't go out of style even after years of wear", it offers flat hats, boater hats, pork pie hats, wide-brim hats, and more.