The past few years have seen menswear designers sending a plethora of headwear down the catwalks (this season it's all about brims, the bigger the better, apparently). Yet for the average male, a hat - we're excluding beanies, baseballs and anything with a team or trucker logo - remains a tricky proposition. While womenswear often revels in the outré, the unexpected and the - dare we say it - borderline ridiculous, clothes-wise, most men simply want to fit in, something that hats have a horrible knack of not doing.
Praise be, then, for Bailey of Hollywood. A staple of many an American wardrobe, the brand sells a carefully considered selection of not-too-flamboyant headwear, from fedoras and trilbies to pork-pies and panamas. The company also has impeccably good form. It was founded in 1922 in Los Angeles by George S Bailey, who had his eye on the emerging 'New West', the ranchers, businessmen and oil tycoons moving to southern California to make their fortunes. Oh, and movie stars, lots of movie stars. Indeed, cementing his reputation as Tinseltown's most-celebrated men's milliner, Bailey's signature Caprice fur felt hat was regularly sported by the likes of Cary Grant, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper.
Today, with many of Bailey's key styles continuing to be made to the exact same specifications, there's a strong thread of craftsmanship running through the brand's offering. Recent years have seen Bailey collaborating on a range with the kings of London vintage, Rokit, as well as wooing the model Tony Ward to front one of its campaigns. Fresh for summer 2012, the company has created four new lightweight reinterpretations of the Montecristi panama. For more adventurous types, meanwhile, the brand also has a Western division, specialising in cowboy hats. Yee-haw!Source: Telegraph.co.uk

What could be better than getting the look and feel of cashmere without the price tag by a brand that is Made in America!!! Whom You Know is pleased to continue our series of KEEPING AMERICA ON TOP: WHOM YOU KNOW CELEBRATES AMERICAN STYLE INTELLIGENCE and EXCELLENCE with our inaugural post on Bailey of Hollywood made by Bollman Hats. We love the Devi Cap in black for the cold season that's now here, and in our opinion, this is unisex. Made from their unique Cashlux® line, the Bailey of Hollywood Devi is a classic ascot cap with an engaging inner crown "Cowgirl" logo print lining in lavish satin. This particular hat is molded for a sophisticated look and we think it is more New York than Hollywood, but wherever you are wearing it, you can be sure to look sharp. It works with jeans and a blazer as well as a short skirt and sweet boots and will keep your head warm! Founded in 1922, Bailey has a history of being impressive in topping it off and we can't wait to see what they do to celebrate their 90th year. Bailey Cashlux® hats are made with the finest grade cashmere and wool blend, and the soft and durable Devi is their capwear offering in this material. Whom You Know recommends the Devi Cap by Bailey of Hollywood by the Bollman Hat Company, and we are absolutely thrilled to find this kind of quality made in the USA.Source: Whom You Know

In the terms of this license, The Bollman Hat Company, under the Bailey Western brand, will produce two seasonal headwear collections per year. The products, both in straw and felt, feature new custom external branding and key shapes that compliment other Relentless brand products. Autumn/Winter fur felts will be available in 5X, 8X, 10X and 30X qualities and range from $160- $430 at retail. Spring/Summer straws will be available in 7X, 10X and 20X qualities and range from $70-$110 at retail. Bailey has also commissioned Molly Crabapple, renowned burlesque artist and author, to create a custom illustration of Trevor Brazile to be used in linings and packaging.
"My Relentless brand of products is based on the tools I use everyday to be the best cowboy I can be. It was a natural fit to team up with Bailey to produce the Relentless hat line. Bailey is known for the highest quality products with a tremendous amount of attention to detail. Their brand position in the market place, and their understanding of what it takes to be the best hat brand in the world are why Relentless and Bailey will set the industry standard for western style headwear. I am extremely excited and honored to team up with Bailey; look for the exciting new Relentless Hats to hit stores soon." (Trevor Brazile)
The Bollman Hat Company has been producing the highest quality felt and straw products since 1868. Their quality and unparalleled craftsmanship are second to none in the industry. The Bailey brand has been crafting quality Western products since 1922 and so it is a natural progression to work with Trevor Brazile and his Relentless brand.
"We are absolutely delighted to be partnering once again with Trevor and his growing brand Relentless. He is clearly a unique leader in his field, which fits perfectly with the positioning of the Bailey Western brand as a market leader with a clear point of difference. We look forward to developing great product with Trevor and to supporting him in his ambitions as the World's Number One All-Around Cowboy." (Christopher Swan, Chief Branding Officer)
Trevor Brazile is America's leading rodeo cowboy. He has a record-breaking eight All-Around World Championships. His reputation is acknowledged among fans and fellow cowboys as being the most dedicated, hardworking and relentless cowboy in history. Brazile's Relentless brand is based on the spirit of people who work hard every day and persevere in the face of obstacles and challenges. Relentless believes our word is a commitment. We believe in following our passion while placing faith and family above personal accomplishments. We respect our cowboy heritage and the American dream.
The first collection of Relentless by Bailey hats will be available Spring/Summer 2011.Source: Bollman Hat Company