Milliner Brookes Boswell founded her eponymous line of hats in 2012 after an apprenticeship with a New York City milliner, Kelly Christy. She works with the highest quality raw materials and expert artisans - honoring the classic construction techniques used in the hand-blocked hat trade.
With a broad clientele in mind, Brookes translates functional, centuries-old crafts from traditional hat makers into her modern aesthetics. Each hat is made-to-order, individually and meticulously hand blocked in her Portland, Oregon studio.
Brookes especially loves straw hats for their practicality - often worn for sun protection. In contrast, felt hats are a chic statement piece and winter accessory.
The felt hat bodies are the highest quality rabbit fur felt available, sustainably-sourced by-product of the Czech Republic. The felt bodies are softer and more pliable that other felt hats because they use less 'sizing' or glue. Brookes sources straw hat bodies grown and woven in many parts of the world, but her favorite material to work with is Ecuadorian toquilla straw, widely known as a Panama Straw hat. The palm fiber is meticulously hand-woven by paja toquilla artisans.
Through long-term collaborations, Brookes requests the specific grade of weave, colors, styles and patterns for the straw hat bodies she imports.
The Hand Blocking Process
The customer’s head size and chosen hat style are each considered throughout the hand-blocking process. The process can take up to two days.
The felt gets steamed, and the straw is spritzed with water to soften and mold the hat bodies onto the hat blocks to dry into their proper shape. The hat crown and brim need separate hat molds, and each style has a dedicated hat mold.
Once set, the grosgrain ribbon sweatband is custom measured to fit the client or the final hat size and then sewn in. The brim is trimmed and finished. There is meticulous attention to every detail—from the hat height to the split suede drawstrings.
After the trim is in place, the brim is ironed—completing Brookes Boswell’s modern yet timeless shapes.
Fit
Ordering a hat online starts with a head measurement. Using a flexible tape measure, wrap it around your head where a hat would sit, hitting the middle of your forehead, 1/4” above the ears, and the bump on the back of your skull. The tape measure should be snug but not too tight.
Hats should fit the head size listed snugly—so as not to blow off in the wind but not so tight that they leave a mark on your skin. If your head is between sizes, add a note to your order with the details, and we’ll accommodate your custom size. You can also visit our Portland shop to try on the hats in person. We keep a selection of styles and colors in the shop, but if you have something specific in mind, it’s best to email ahead.
Care & Repair
Hats are meant to be worn and tend to look better as they age. Below are some tips to keep your hat in good condition.
Felt and straw hats can handle light rain, but don’t let them get soaked in heavy rain because it can cause the hat to become misshapen or the sweatband to shrink. Store your hat in a way that preserves its original shape. For long-term storage, it’s best to keep the hat covered to prevent it from getting dusty. Don’t fold, crush or pinch your hat. Instead, handle it by the brim. Straw hats tend to tear in spots where they get repeatedly pinched (often the hat crown). The exception is the packable hats made of straw types that are more flexible and can handle getting folded. If a straw hat has a tear, there is no way to repair it other than a visible patch. We can sometimes patch a tear, but not always.
We offer free reblocking services in case your hat becomes misshapen. We can also do some repairs, patching, and sweatband or trim replacements for a small fee. The customer is responsible for all shipping costs.
Shipping & Policies
Each hat takes approximately 2-3 weeks to complete before shipment. We offer free shipping for all US orders over $300 via UPS ground. International customers pay for USPS first-class shipping that does not include tracking. For International Priority or other expedited shipping, please email the studio. Customers are responsible for shipping charges for all exchanges.
All products are made-to-order, so please measure your head twice and ask questions before placing your order. Notify the studio as soon as possible if you receive your order and decide it's different from your expectations. We are happy to work with you and want you to love your hat. We offer exchanges for customers who feel their hat doesn't suit them, but we can't accept returns.
Contact
Questions and inquiries? Email info@shopboswell.us or stop by our retail shop during open hours.
Sales and press inquiries? Contact sales@shopboswell.us
Shop Boswell // 729 SE Morrison Street in Portland, Oregon