Use Your Head
Ladies, we've all been there. It's a Saturday morning … the alarm clock sounds off. After hitting the snooze button a few times (what were you thinking when you scheduled that early-morning brunch with friends?), you finally wake up only to realize that you're 35 minutes behind schedule. There's not enough time to prep, so you turn to your dependable cap to mask that hot mess called hair.
Let's not forget the guys. By the time you read this, it will officially be autumn. Football season will have started. And, soon enough, fire pits will be lit, pickup games will be in full swing and you'll be partaking in trips to the pumpkin patch. A good cap will provide protection from those extra rays of sunshine and a knit cap will offer warmth as temperatures begin to drop.
Of course, the above are interchangeable examples. While men and women have different reasons for wearing caps and headwear, the reasons often intertwine. The bottom line: They wear them. However, with so many products, opportunities remain untapped due to lack of education, limited client budgets and overall sales blunders. If you can work within the needs of your clients' markets, you increase your chances of closing a sale.
To get started, it helps to know the trends. Here are a few options to consider.
Stay In Orbit
My grandmother always told me to make sure my ears were covered before venturing out into freezing weather. It was difficult to heed her advice because many of my winter caps weren't long enough, so I had to resort to earmuffs. The Orbit Helmet from Midway Industries eliminates this problem. Made of 100 percent acrylic (12 gauge) with 50/50 polyester fur/fleece lining, the hat boasts contrasting jacquard stripes. It comes in the following color combinations: black/red, black/azure blue, black/charcoal, charcoal/black and navy/charcoal. To complete the look, a matching scarf is available.
For more information, visit www.midwayindustries.com.
A True Classic
Forget the saying, "Out with the old, in with the new." Vintage has been making a big comeback. Just check out the vintage newsboy styling of the Fahrenheit Unstructured Classic News Boy Hat from Rockland Embroidery. Made from 50/48/2 cotton/polyester/spandex tweed, the hat features a pre-curved visor. It comes in brown tweed and charcoal tweed.
For more information, visit www.rocklandembroidery.com.
A Beacon of Light
Some of the best training happens before the sun rises and after it sets. The POWERCAP from Panther Vision LLC will enable runners training in the dark to see and be seen. The POWERCAP offers the "ultimate hands-free flashlight," with high and low beam directional lighting for seeing the trail ahead, along with where your feet hit the ground. The caps are constructed of quick-drying, lightweight microfiber with a moisture management sweatband and reflective trim in the sandwich and on the back keyhole and adjustment strap. With 50-plus hours of battery life, the item features an on/off switch under the brim. Available colors include black, pink or white.
For more information, visit www.panthervisionpromo.com.
Do Hephaestus Proud
Work the anvil of the gods and reap great smithcraft; work the Anvil Cotton Twill Cap from Heritage Sportswear Inc. and reap great profits. The latter sounds totally better, right? Rub your anvil-selecting skills in the face of your peers with this low-profile, six-panel cap. It's available in nine different colors and has a pre-curved bill.
For more information, visit www.heritagesportswear.com.
Pure Style
Style tip: There is nothing cooler than fedoras right now (just ask all those guys your girlfriend can't take her eyes off). If you're into spreading a little headwear swoonage (and, really, who among us isn't?), give the Herringbone Fedora from SanMar a try. The 75/25 poly/wool cap is available in black herringbone only, but why would you want it in any other color?
For more information, visit www.sanmar.com.
- People:
- Elise Hacking Carr