What we're about:
Each hat we create isn’t just an accessory - it’s a story waiting to be lived. Rooted in the rugged beauty of the American West, our artisanal designs embody the soul of open landscapes and endless skies. These aren’t just hats, they’re heirlooms in the making.
A great hat doesn't just sit on your head - it transforms you. It becomes your confidant, your statement, your shield against the ordinary. Over time, it takes on a life of its own, weathered by the years, marked by the journey, shaped by the memories you make together.
We craft our hats to find you. We create each piece so that when the world sees you, they see something unforgettable: a persona elevated and a style refined.
This is has become more than millinery and is creating legacies. One day, when the hat you’ve made iconic becomes a treasure passed down, it won’t just carry the shape of your head - it will pass along your story.
Behind the design:
Our hats are crafted with both history and function in mind. The silk interior adds a touch of luxury to every wool hat. Silk crepe de chine is favored for its lightness, durability, wrinkle resistance, breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and hypoallergenic qualities. The design, inspired by grass bending in the wind, symbolizes the adaptability needed to navigate life's various challenges, much like those who ventured westward. One of the our favorite embellishments is a vintage playing card from the American card game "Touring", published in New York City in 1906, which gained wide popularity very quickly. To complete the experience, each hat is protected: delivered to you inside a beautifully designed canvas bag. Whether you're traveling by car, airplane, or wagon, use it however you see fit.
Ida Mae Steel 1885-1976
Where we began:
Ida began practicing millinery at an early age and by 1920, she was a full-time milliner traveling by train from coast to coast to sell hats and purchase hat making materials. Although a woman-owned business was not widely accepted by society at that time, the necessity of wearing hats in public drove the success of her venture. She was fortunate enough to sell her hats all the way from New York City to Pasadena, California and at countless places in between where she made custom hats for many famous ladies. Today, her entrepreneurial spirit lives on through Howling Hats and her family continues to carry on the tradition and joy of hat-making.