Hollywood Trender: Tilley Hats takes production crews stylishly across globe

By April MacIntyre Jan 23, 2011, 20:43 GMT

This past Christmas I finally received a Tilley Hat from a friend who knew I had always wanted one. The style was the Cosmopolitan, made of 100% soft wool felt. What separates Tilley Hats from the pack is that they are immensely packable, crush-proof and even come with a guarantee-for life.

At Sundance Film Festival, many fashion companies and designers are courting celebrities with free swag, sending out press releases loaded with images whenever a star holds an item, so that consumers will purchase said item in droves.

What real Hollywood crews and stars use as accessories and skincare when traveling to remote areas for film and TV is often times entirely different than what you see in Star, Us and People magazines, where editors are pitched and given tons of items for hopeful editorial mention.

Over the years covering big films and TV shows behind the scenes, I've made lists and reams of notes observing what is loved and depended upon by DP's, sound people, grips, directors, gaffers and stars alike.

Consistently, one of the most utilized items and widely loved by crew who work in sunny areas like Miami, Hawaii and even Alaska is the Canadian made, Tilley Hat.

This past Christmas I finally received a Tilley Hat from a friend who knew I had always wanted one. The style was the Cosmopolitan, made of 100% soft wool felt.  What separates Tilley Hats from the pack is that they are immensely packable, crush-proof and even come with a guarantee-for life.

My hat is perfect for twice annual trips from California to New England in the dead of winter, and I needed something not bulky and easy to keep me from freezing upon arrival at Logan Airport.  The hat has tuck-away ear warmers, and is water-repellent. 

The entire Tilley line is old-school classic, but with modern design and offerings, sort of an L.L. Bean for Canada, very well-crafted.  Tilley also makes clothing and accessories too, many hats are Teflon® coated for stain and water/snow repellency.

But for me the stand-out feature is that you can smash it down flat in your suitcase and it is none worse for the wear.  Some of their styles in hats even include hidden foam in the crown so if you are boating and the wind catches it, it will float—and many styles also have a security feature of a hidden pocket that can hold money, keys, even a small iPod.

Tilly also offers insurance for loss for two years after purchase. If the hat is lost or damaged you can get another hat for 50% of the cost.

Those concerned about sun damage can also note that the line has a high UPF rating, and if worn properly will help protect the wearer against the harmful and damaging effects of the sun.

Again, Tilleys is made in Canada, durable and stylish; this is one of the best all-around hats to own, especially if you are a traveler.

Because film crews always know the good stuff.  Check out Tilley’s here

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who loves to snoop around in makeup trailers when she can. You can follow her on Twitter.