How $2,500 Fedora Hats Are Made | Big Business | Insider Business

[@ph0t0sh0pmast3r]

I first started my custom hat shop in downtown Lexington, KY about a year and a half ago. I started making hats 3 years ago and in that time I’ve seen practically a renaissance happening in the custom hat market. It’s wonderful.

[@stephanieyee9784]

Good on you.

[@lisathomas1622]

Do you sell online? What’s your shop name?

[@spritemon98]

What kinda hats you make?

[@asherm3004]

I've been wearing a Borsalino hat for 25 years. Never before seen this footage. Fascinating!

[@nicolas4377]

How many catanas do you own?

[@AnotherWittyUsername.]

The Italians are true magicians. They can pull a hat out of a rabbit.

[@ElysetheEevee]

Best comment so far.

[@mr.midnight1078]

@@ElysetheEevee without a doubt

[@inspectorgadget346]

7 months old but way underrated comment.

[@SKF358]

That's very good 😊

[@pieceofshitzu2]

I bet all the redditors are gonna love this video

[@nicolas4377]

*reddit mods

[@adyaaa]

What's the lore between hats and redditors?

[@justanicecreamsammich3071]

@@adyaaa one of them has a purpose

[@clandeszipp4564]

[@kingofclubs5232]

The worst part is that they wear trilbies and call them fedoras.

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

I make tiny hats, as a novelty. And now I am doing my first 'Borsalino'...I have a length of grey felt on the table. The finished hat will be 3 1/2" across, brim to brim....This is my inspiration. Thank you!!!

[@sophiaisabelle01]

This is a mesmerizing process overall. Seems like factory workers should be given more credit.

[@gennaterra]

There's nothing like a Borsalino... I've even inherited my dad's... it even has a great re-sale market. The older they are, the better they become. That's quality and luxury !!

[@Liusila]

I imagine only the original design will stay valuable though - looking at the “modern” women’s hats they don’t seem too sturdy.

[@1911FanBoi]

There is no resale market. I will offer you $100. That’s what they are worth. Now is $100 worth it for you to get rid of your dad’s hat.

[@stephanieyee9784]

It's great to see that two hat makers are doing great business with top quality products. The level of after care of the hats is admirable too.

[@rhondahuggins9542]

First time I've heard logical reason for hats falling out of men's fashion. Makes sense...I do love structured hats and wish that they could come back into fashion for everyday use. Great video!!

[@HobbyOrganist]

It sounds ridiculous, since the hats worn in the army/military were NOTHING like a fedora etc., I dont believe that was the reason, no, my father wore a fedora when I was a kid in the 60s, but see, back then everyone dressed up- he wore polished shoes, trousers, white shirt, suit and tie, so a hat completed that wardrobe. Women all wore dresses or skirts, high heels, blouse, and a hat, often even white gloves if they were going more formal, and purse. After that era women stopped dressing like that and started wearing men's jeans, the purse, hat and gloves you see in old 1950s movies went away, same was true of men, they mostly stopped wearing polished black shoes (dad had a shoe shine machine and used to wax/polish his shoes before going to work) and suits/ties/hats also went away other than suits that "executive" types wore in the office, at the bank and in business- the business suit, but even that's been fading off too, they call that thing a BLAZER for a reason- in 90 degree temps with 90% humidity you BLAZE!!! the blazer helps you BLAZE lol!!!

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Just wear a hat. I wore these sorts of hats despite being born in 1995 and NONE of my family and firends wore anything else other than that baseball cap style caps. It helps I got mine from second hand stores so I got into hats on the cheap...

[@Saml01]

The real reason hats went out of style was because during ww2 all manner of production was redirected to the war effort. That included hats. Since there were no hats, hair products were developed. After hair products came fancy hair styles and after that, no one, especially women, wanted to wear a hat. However, hats are definitely experienceing a resurgence in popularity.

[@drwisdom1]

Actually, hats mainly fell out of favor due to changing transportation methods. Before WWII only wealthy people owned vehicles. Everybody else took public transportation, like trolleys, or they walked. That required them to spend time outside so they used hats to protect from the Sun and rain. After WWII we repurposed making military equipment into making vehicles, which everybody bought. That reduced the need and usage of hats. Then JFK shunned hats and a lot of men stopped wearing them.

[@kittykooky]

Beautiful craftsmanship, the saying " As mad as a hatter" comes from the chemicals that were used many years ago to make hats, they caused tremors and nervous symptoms to the hat makers, where I live in Manchester England, there is a hat museum which is very informative and interesting. 💐

[@ph0t0sh0pmast3r]

As a hat maker I’d love to go see that museum. Here in the states we had the Danbury shakes from the hatting industry in Danbury, CT. Eventually we passed legislation banning the use of mercury in the felt manufacturing.

[@kittykooky]

Type in "Hat works museum, Stockport UK" there are a few KZbin pages on it.. Enjoy !!

[@maxrebo8455]

I read that Luton was also a centre of British hat making once too. I’m trying my best to wear Irish and British made wool flat caps, genuine toquilla Panamas from Ecuador and Australia’s own rabbit felt hats from Akubra.

[@guylewis7418]

@@maxrebo8455I think Akubra makes a fantastic hat! You can’t beat for the value.

[@captainhomie6156]

"M'lady, would you be interested in undergoing romantic endeavours with me in my most utmost fashionable factory?"

[@TippyHippy]

l put my hamster in a sock and slammed it against the furniture.

[@jacimuzamel6169]

This is SO interesting. The house next door to us was sold and turned into a Shul. We are surrounded by hats(of all kinds) all day long. This pus a new perspective on what we see.

[@eddyp483]

Thought of a good tagline: "From rabbit to rabbi" I'll take 12% in future sales. Thank you

[@AnotherWittyUsername.]

The Italians are true magicians. They can pull a hat out of a rabbit.

[@elluisito000]

I take my hat off to all these very hard-working people 😊

[@arihantkanan9072]

Dont ..they'll go out of business

[@ericcarabetta1161]

So, felt is basically like "hair paper", that they can form into any shape.

[@talpark8796]

I'd no more leave my house w/o a hat, than I'd wear trousers w/o a belt or braces. My western felt hats are 'Smithbilt' (Calgary🇨🇦).

[@jrobbin24]

Baseball hats and cars with roofs on top of style changes killed the fedora industry

[@stephanieyee9784]

Baseball caps and truckers hats are a blight on fashion.

[@HobbyOrganist]

I had a "Boss of the plains" hat by Stetson with a flat brim, but it was lost in a workplace fire almost 2 years ago, and that model isnt available any more, plus the prices on Stetson hats has gone WAY up. I found a similar one elsewhere, not as good but ok for everyday use

[@FarrellSr]

Where did you find a suitable one to use? I been looking for good one as I am wanting to get a Boss of the plains as well

[@TomsGotPowers]

M'lady.

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you and wants to set you free from any bondages in your life! Call upon His name and He will save you! Believe in His death and resurrection and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and be saved and abandon your sins and turn to Him! Have an amazing day❤️❤️😊

[@DCUOxDestro]

Beat me to it 😂😂😂

[@johnofmalta]

Ole boy from JJ Hat Center brought me here. Hats and guitars! JoM

[@3coins.]

This hat compliments the outfit and women also love the hat 🎩

[@rekire___]

_M' L A D Y_

[@mottyk8491]

Fedoras are cool and classy, I have been a borselino customer for about twenty-five years now

[@Vishakha_B897]

"M'Lady!" 🤠

[@didado8443]

Kizaru produces Fedoras?

[@yossisaks5831]

Love my Bellissimo hats. The quality is excellent and their customer service is top notch!

[@curiouslyt2123]

No one mentioned Michael Jackson as a famous hat wearer. I mean, like the bejeweled glove, hat was apart of his most iconic music videos and choreography!!!

[@PaolaBarrientos]

I love wearing hats. Many of the hats I saw in this video I will buy it in an instant no doubt.

[@stephanieyee9784]

I don't have a hat wearing head. I wear them in the sun but not as an everyday accessory. My sister wears hats a lot though.

[@lilcrazyart8306]

Respect for all 🙏🏾

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you and wants to set you free from any bondages in your life! Call upon His name and He will save you! Believe in His death and resurrection and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and be saved and abandon your sins and turn to Him! Have an amazing day❤️❤️😊

[@jrobbin24]

We need more things like this in America

[@reshi4597]

Oooh Borsalino from my city ❤️ how many memories!

[@Life_42]

Coincidence! Started looking for a hat yesterday!

[@dickriggles942]

Reddit loving this.

[@MrPhilWong]

The part where Bellissimo got a line of Jewish rabbis out the door by offering $100 discounts on their hats...way to perpetuate the stereotype, guys...😂

[@ruthgilmour8399]

The best hats were made by Biltmore. Guelph Ontario Canada. Using these same processes. What great memories!

[@tranquility-soothingsleepm6077]

A lot more people used to wear fedora hats in the 1930s to 1960s because they cost a hell of a lot less back then.

[@saqibhussain9795]

I thought Rabbit used to come out of a Hat, never knew its the other way around.

[@stoundingresults]

5:43 why are they mad at me?

[@Mocktailmetal]

Question: How rabbit hairs are collected by Borsolino fedora maker? By killing them or just the way humans collct hair from sheeps?

[@guylewis7418]

In Europe they eat a lot of rabbits, so the fur is a byproduct of that industry.

[@mottopanukeiku7406]

That would be a bunch of very chilly and ugly bunnies running around. 😊 Meat production is correct. Probably using the whole animal for leather, meat, fur, etc.

[@RenegadeRanga]

Akubra make rabbit fur hats but at 10% of the price.

[@guylewis7418]

And fantastic hats they are!

[@jimmyaber5920]

$2500 hats would be beaver with mink or chinchilla fur mixed. Rabbit fur is priced far less and the sweatband, inside liner, and crown trim band are lesser grade materials.

[@hydroaegis6658]

There are only so many hat styles and even less that look good for your head size and face shape. That didn't pair well with the increase in individualism.

[@MLove-777]

These are "Beautiful" hats made of great quality & tradition...✨💛✨

[@Desire123ification]

Outstanding!✨💯

[@lifevest1]

“Ma Lady” Manufacturing Group.

[@Nobody7011-i6h]

I really really love hat making, i want to start one here in Africa, particularly in Nigeria but i seriously don't know how to Even though most people here don't necessarily wear fedora hats, there is limitlless opportunities for inclusions

[@thaisrmenezes1813]

I want one of each brand!

[@sasa-dv7zz]

luxury means quality. Many luxury brands sliding away from this and instead clinging on popularity.

[@probablypossible8130]

Ive been working on my own hat concept for ages, but here in New Zealand, nobody want to work together to make them relevant

[@geraldmcneal7110]

Borsalino fedora hat issue is most of hats are all black its impossible to get day a gray or Charcoal gray, tan and to add they seem to focus on small brim hats I did just purchased a 3 inches brim hat from them and it amazing but it's black. But almost did not see it due to pages and pages of 2 to 2.5 inches brim

[@Balu-420]

Great❤

[@donahunt832]

Great back story! love it and i LOVE hats 🥰

[@Danthehorse]

I read recently that they had stopped making their own felt, is that true?

[@justayoutuber1906]

GEORGE CARLIN: "You ever notice that any time you see two groups of people who really hate each other, chances are good they're wearing different kind of hats. Keep an eye on that, it might be important."

[@lutomson3496]

to bad there is no Beaver hats like Stetson does with their higher grade hats which repel water, and are more resistent to staines and abuse

[@SKF358]

Both amazing and charming.

[@lisathomas1622]

I wear a fedora. I have a collection. Wear them folks, I get tons of compliments. I also wear South American wool ponchos and big sheepskin boots. Long skirts… yeah ok, I’m a hippy. 😂

[@shamrock4500]

My Grandfather always wore a Fedora, but wore a Trilby around the farm.

[@deliciousfoodranger]

Good journey and good processing

[@jpavlvs]

Are all the hats bashed at the factory? I want open crowned hats.

[@CharliMorganMusic]

More people would wear their hats if they didn't cost more than a month's pay for a lot of people. Like, yeah, no shit: machines make things cheaper. If I can get a hat that's 80% as good for 20% the price, I'll do that, thanks.

[@drwisdom1]

Forget the price, compared to vintage hats most modern hats use inferior materials and aren't styled as nice. You can't expect the price of hats made from animal fur to get cheaper because you have more efficient machine to process it. To lower the raw material cost you would need to find a synthetic substitute for animal hair.

[@MGX5683]

Even I want to wear it but can’t afford it 😂

[@Minecraft-ue7ux]

I have a Borsalino Limited Edition Blue hat, it's limited to 1000 pieces and I got number 3/1000

[@hesmycat]

M'laaaady

[@WanderingMiqo]

I really wish dress hats came back into style. Neckbeards gotta ruin everything.

[@ISLAMHAZEM-ev2is]

This is amazing

[@duffman2201]

If something can be craft we italians bring that craftmanship to the peak

[@LambentOrt]

The Jewish dudes with the fedoras look like grown up hipsters. 😅

[@mottopanukeiku7406]

They kinda look like the Blues Brothers. It is a pretty cool look.

[@matero4life2019]

I was raised chabad ❤ I saw them every day. You should do one on la rubia Yerba matè it’s a luxury Yerba matè I’d love to see a video on it 🎉

[@justdashie1132]

Discord mod hats

[@makemoney7606]

That's amazing

[@R32R38]

A common but incorrect belief is that sales of men's hats in the US dropped off after JFK went bareheaded in his January 1961 inauguration. Leaving aside that he actually wore a hat for much of the ceremony, hat sales had been declining since 1937.

[@bellissimohats2786]

That’s so interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@KSCasareo]

M’lady

[@OWK000]

I always thought it was sun glasses and sun screen that ended hats.

[@Moelester692]

Lol 100 dollars off , everyone must of lost it at that convention hahahaha

[@nicolas4377]

M'lady *tips fedora*

[@generation3349]

Nice

[@matthewfink1420]

A worker carefully peals the fragile hat off the cone 10 sec later that thing is going through a wood chipper

[@Fenderak]

I wish I lived in a time when wearing a hat was socially acceptable

[@jimmyyu2184]

Why (especially) rabbit fur? Can you do it with like sheep? They are sheared, can anyone/someone enlighten me on this? Or this is rabbit fur more "Traditional" vs other animal fur? Or am I confusing the term fur? I mean, can I technically make a hat of my cat's fur, or my dog after grooming?

[@guylewis7418]

Rabbit felt is better than wool felt. Beaver and nutria is supposed to be better than rabbit.

[@mottopanukeiku7406]

Rabbit fur as raw material for hat felt is pretty much entirely a by-product of rabbit meat production. Alot of it comes from Europe (Spain). I am sure there are ethical standards on how the rabbit killing is done and they are probably using most of the animal for all sort of stuff.

[@Bullish_Fever_Official]

this hats is word famous and i use too

[@misterhat5823]

Abby ❤

[@HorizonWoolhat]

Merino wool hats are ten dollars each. Will anyone need them?

[@tallulahbeaverhausen4382]

Johnny Depp, Hasidic Jews and... RAYMOND REDDINGTON !

[@farinshore8900]

Hats are still commonly worn. Just because you don't like the style of hat people wear, doesn't mean they are not wearing a hat.

[@NavajoNinja]

Just thought of the dead rabbits gang from, gangs of new york.

[@doriandari]

Why is'nt.. nobady tal talking about rabbits hair? ... how is taken from the rabbit?

[@OneMotivation398]

Good

[@jaket2k927]

ACKSCHULLY!

[@shortnotice352]

I'd pay that if they were entirely made by hand. Instead, without machines, they wouldn't exist. It's not made by 1 or 2 people. It changes hands on an assembly line.

[@ahotdj07]

@1:30 oh he’s a cutie. ❤

[@Tom_Samad]

I wonder if this company has some kind of secret deal with the Men in Black? 🤔

[@alejandroalartiz9451]

But is not better the beaver fur than rabbit fur for a fedora?

[@mottopanukeiku7406]

Yes, but it is much more expensive to use beaver.

[@spritemon98]

I like wearing my hat

[@jdkgcp]

Just sitting here imagining shaving a Rabbit. Guessing that's not how it works.

[@michaelbcohen]

While they mention the Hasidic community, its more what is called the Yeshiva community. Chabad is a small percentage of the Fedora wearing Orthodox Jews, and the only Hasidic group that wears such hats. A huge chunk of Borsalino's business are from the regular Orthodox Jewish community, most the Yeshivish and "Right-Modern" communities. Also there have been other hat makers for decades and over a dozen brands, it's just this is the premier brand and you pay extra (with the exception of Kova from Israel which is real high end). I don't think Insider did the best research on Orthodox Jews and hat wearing customs or the brands out there other than borsalino, and ignored some of the biggest dealers in the Orthodox community for a more nuances perspective

[@user-hx6hv4sg6p]

The lubvitchers are crazy They think the rabbi is still alive😂

[@elihernandez330]

Greetings m'translady

[@sfacets]

The company could afford to pay engineers to create new machinery. It's difficult to feel bad about a company selling hats for $2,500.

[@guylewis7418]

Most of them are a lot less than $2500.

[@kingdavid240]

Jew hat