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Try a Tilley This Summer

April 28, 2017
Warmer weather has arrived and many are wondering what kind of sun protection they need. Tilley Endurables, the Canadian company long recognized as the maker of high quality outdoor hats, was started in 1980 when Alex Tilley needed a good hat for sailing and couldn’t find one, and decided to make one himself. He spared no effort, sought advice from a milliner, sailmaker and hat maker, and, as he says “got it right”. Only afterwards, when he saw that he had an outstanding hat, did he decide to sell it through stores. The sale of the original hat, and expansion into a range of hats and travel ware, has benefited from Alex Tilley’s imagination and insistence on outstanding quality.

Tilley Airflo

 

Tilley produces hats in a variety of materials including Harris Tweed and Nylantium. One of their more innovative hat fabrics is hemp. Industrial hemp is an outstanding fiber, useful in textiles, high strength cordage and papermaking. As a farm crop it is relatively pest-free, does not deplete the soil, and requires little fertilizer. Tilley’s hemp fabric has a linen-like appearance and feel. It is resistant to mold and mildew, and to salt water. It has a UPF rating of 50+, the maximum UV protection rating given. The fabric makes up into a truly high performance hat. This is possible because they make the hats very well, of outstanding material, enabling them to offer their lifetime guarantee of replacement if the hat wears out.
Please see the individual hats for care instructions, as care varies with the material used.  The hemp, Nylantium and classic cotton hats are washable. Machine wash, air dry. Do not bleach. If your hats must of necessity be dried or stored under warm conditions, regular use of a Hat Stretcher will be beneficial.

Tilley Outback

Tilley also insures your hat against loss. If you do lose it, or the family dog destroys it, Tilley will replace it within two years of the purchase date at half Tilley’s current catalogue price, through Tilley’s mail-order department. (Tilley always try to meet their clients at least half way!) With your hat, you’ll be provided with “The Straight-Shooter’s Statement of Loss of a Tilley Hat” insurance policy. Again, the insurance is for two years, all perils, 50% deductible, and is not issued by Lloyds but by Tilley directly. Simply send your insurance certificate or proof of purchase directly to Tilley and Tilley will send you a replacement hat for 50% of their current catalogue price.
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Crosses for Easter

April 7, 2017

With Easter approaching, you may be struggling to find a unique gift. Our Celtic Crosses are rich with history that stretches back over a thousand years.

The Celtic Cross Pendant is inspired by the stone Celtic crosses found in many parts of Wales, dating from the early days of Christianity in Britain.

Muiredach’s Cross Pendant

Muiredach’s Cross of Monasterboice is an outstanding example of later period Celtic crosses, with full ornamentation on both front and back and on the sides. This small cross is a finely detailed reproduction, including edge ornamentation.

Trinity Cross Necklet

Our Trinity Cross Necklet has triskeles incised in each arm, symbolizing the Trinity in an ancient Celtic style.

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Celtic Jewelry

Driza-Bone Now in Midweight

February 9, 2017

Driza-Bone has created a midweight version of its world-famous coats. The midweight coat weighs 30% less than its heavyweight counterpart, allowing for more flexibility while providing superior protection.

According to the Driza-Bone website, the traditional oilskin first came into existence in the 1890’s when British sailor Emilius Le Roy had the idea of creating an indestructible wet-weather jacket made from recycled ship sails that were treated with oil. From here, the oilskin legend was born and would later become the famous wet-weather coat and an Australian workwear staple.

Driza-Bone Short Coat in midweight black

Driza-Bone Short Coat in midweight black

 

Driza-Bone Riding Coat in midweight black

Driza-Bone Riding Coat in midweight black

 

The midweight is still a fine, 2-ply cotton with a high count weave. If you were looking for a more flexible version of the duster, this is your chance.

Available in black.

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Driza-Bone

 

Cavin Jewelry Now Available in Silver

January 6, 2017

We are very proud of our Cavin in Bronze jewelry. Cavin’s attention to detail and fine craftsmanship
has produced a high quality series of jewelry. Now we are introducing several of the same items in silver. These pieces do not have the antiquing of the bronze jewelry, but the detailing is superb.

Shown are the images for the Sea Turtle Pendant and Earrings. Also available are the Sea Turtle Necklet and the Tree Frog Earrings.

 

Sea Turtle Necklet, Sterling Silver.

 

Sea Turtle Earrings, Sterling Silver.

 

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Cavin Jewelry

A Hat Stretcher from the 1800s

December 3, 2016

A customer recently sent us his hat stretcher made in the 1800s. Just like our Hat Jack, this one has a center piece that turns and twists the end pieces in or out. This one also has two metal guides. It is made of rock maple. The reason he sent it to us is that he finally wore it out. This hat jack was used for over 100 years. Amazing.

hatstretcher

Two New Hats by Akubra

October 28, 2016

We are pleased to offer two additional hats from Akubra: The Mansfield High Country and the Kentucky Rancher.

Mansfield High Country

Mansfield High Country

The Mansfield High Country takes its name from the Victorian Alps region of Australia. It is the only area of Australia where deep snow falls annually.  The raw edge curled brim is 4 inches wide, making it, along with the Territory, our widest brimmed hat. Comes with a braided hat band with horsehair tassels.

Kentucky Rancher

Kentucky Rancher

The Kentucky Rancher adds a Southern flair to the Akubra line. The pre-creased crown has a center crease with two side dents, known in the American West as a cattleman’s crease. The raw edge, rolled brim is 3-1/2 inches in the front and back and 3-1/4 inches on the sides. The braided cloth hat band has horsehair tassels.

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Akubra Hats

Back by Popular Demand: The Tilley Ivy Cap

October 7, 2016

After a prolonged absence, Tilley is reinstating their iconic Ivy Cap. Made with stylish Harris Tweed, the cap has an elasticized sweatband to ensure a comfortable fit. It has discreet tuckaway ear warmers and a Hydrofil® polyester lining to wick away moisture.

Harris Tweed cloth is produced in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland from 100% virgin wool using traditional methods. For centuries, the cloth was only known locally. In 1846, Lady Dunmore, widow of the landowner of Harris, the Earl of Dunmore, chose to have their clan tartan replicated by Harris weavers in tweed. Since then, Harris Tweed has become famous throughout the world, protected by its own Act of Parliament.

The wool, primarily from sheep on the Scottish mainland, is dyed before spinning. The cloth is woven on treadle looms at each weaver’s home, then returned to the factory for finishing. The resulting Harris Tweed is a beautiful, durable cloth with the natural warmth and water resistance of a pure wool.

Tilley Ivy Cap. Harris tweed, made in Canada

Tilley Ivy Cap. Harris tweed, made in Canada

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Tilley Hats

 

Keep Warm this Winter with Possum Wool

September 23, 2016

It’s fall, and the mornings and evenings have a chill to them. This time of year it’s nice to have a pair of gloves to take away the bite in the air. Our possum gloves do the trick.

The unique soft pointed ends and hollow core of possum fur provide an extremely light, soft and luxurious fiber, making these knitted gloves extremely warm for their weight. State of the art knitting technology is used, creating a glove with no seams to bind or rub. Our gloves come in four colors: natural, charcoal, green and red.

Possum Gloves

Possum/Merino Wool Knitted gloves. Made in New Zealand by Lothlorian

For those who like to wear gloves inside, we also sell fingerless gloves.

Fingerless Gloves

Possum/Merino Wool Knitted Fingerless Gloves. Made in New Zealand by Lothlorian

 

And, with winter around the corner, you might want to take a look at our mittens, too.

Possum/Merino Wool Knitted Mittens. Made in New Zealand by Lothlorian

Possum/Merino Wool Knitted Mittens. Made in New Zealand by Lothlorian

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Lothlorian Knitwear

Profiles in Craftsmanship: Philip Hawk

September 16, 2016

Phillip Hawk

Note: We regret to announce that Philip passed away in August, 2019. 

Phillip Hawk has 40 years experience as an expert saddler and shoemaker.  After a three year apprenticeship as a saddler in Colorado, he moved to to Virginia to study English saddles, strap goods and shoe-making.  He was master of the Saddle/Harness Shop and the Boot/Shoe Shop of Colonial Williamsburg.  His skills include every facet of leather working except gloves and clothing.  His work marries traditional craftsmanship with modern consumer demands.

For his belts, Phillip only uses leather from the Tarnsjo Tannery in Tarnsjo, Sweden.  It supplies, arguably, the finest strap and upholstery leather in the world.  The world’s best saddlers, harness makers and fashion designers purchase their leather from this tannery.  Phillip uses leather stained only on the grain (the hair side), leaving the flesh side unstained to prevent bleeding on clothes.  The surface colors used by Tarnsjo Tannery maintain the integrity of the leather.

Below are just a few of the procedures in making a belt.

1

Phillip first cuts the leather into strips.  The tool is a draw gauge knife.

3

Laying out the belt blank.

13

Staining the edges

14

Stamping with his maker’s mark

30

Mounting the snaps

35

Ready to wear!

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Philip Hawk Belts

Buckles