Skip to content

US Domestic Orders $35+ Ship Free

Store Profile: Goorin Brothers

Goorin-Bros-Santa-Monica-02_2015_04.0
Image: Racked
SFGate
Image: SFGate

Why a hat?

Wearing a hat is a long-lost art. Up until the 50s, men wore hats daily. When a gentleman walked out of the house, he tossed on his hat after putting on his jacket and that was that. Every president up until JFK wore a hat to his inauguration. At around this time, the counterculture revolution of the 60s and changing fashions led the preference for a more casual look, which tailored hats just did not fit. Others blame the decline of hat wearing on the transition from most people using public transportation to cars, which had lower ceilings than trains and buses. The smaller ceiling-to-head ratio in a car made it uncomfortable to wear a hat while driving. We at RoyalShave, however, believe the hat deserves a second look. There’s something timelessly charming and sophisticated about wearing a hat lovingly made by a milliner. Plus, hats are highly functional – they protect your scalp and eyes from the sun, can disguise a bad hair day, and keep your head warm when it’s chilly outside.
pic_history_1921
Alfred and Ted Goorin. Image: Goorin Brothers

Goorin Brothers: A History

Goorin Brothers is a family-run business that’s been making hats for over 100 years. Founded by Cassel Goorin in 1895, the company originally operated from Goorin’s horse-drawn cart on the streets of Pittsburg. Cassel Goorin’s famously fine-crafted, unique hats were quickly sought after, and by the 1920s Goorin passed the business on to his sons, Alfred and Ted. In 1949, Alfred moved the company’s headquarters to First St. and Mission in San Francisco, while Ted stayed behind in Pittsburgh, sourcing exquisite fabrics and perfecting fits. In 1960, Goorin Brothers was the official headwear of the VIII Olympic Winter Games. Today, Goorin Brothers has locations all over the United States and Canada and is run by Ben, Cassel Goorin’s great grandson. We’ve personally been to a couple locations and they are exquisitely arranged, with an old-school parlor room feel. Oriental rugs and old family photos imbue their stores with their family's legacy of haberdashery. Hat Options Should you plan a visit to Goorin Brothers, the retailer sells several types of classic hats, including: flat caps, fedoras, bowler hats, and top hats. Here’s a quick primer on the hat shapes you'll see there:
TheGreatGatsby
Image: The Great Gatsby
Flat Cap – This style was immensely popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries in Britain and Ireland. In the US, the flat cap became standard boys’ wear in the 1910s and 20s. The flat cap is characterized by a rounded cap with a small, stiff brim in front.
Humphrey-Bogart-wearing-fedora
Image: Post + Modern
Fedora – A Hollywood staple during the 40s (think Humphrey Bogart) and the perfect accessory for dressy and business events. Fedoras bestow confidence and add an air of mystery. They're usually made of soft felt, creased lengthwise down the crown, and pinched on both sides.
VLUU L100, M100 / Samsung L100, M100
Image: "Kapelo6" by Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Commons.
Bowler – A British icon made of felt and with short brims.
Abraham Lincoln Top Hat
Image: Wikipedia Commons
Top Hat – Abe Lincoln’s signature style. Top hats were predominantly worn from the latter part of the 18th to the middle of the 20th century. The top hat is characterized by a tall, flat-crowned hat with broad brims. --- Find the Goorin Brothers nearest you here.
Older Post
Newer Post

Check Out More From The Grooming Artist

Benefits of Coconut Oil in Shaving Cream

We can never be too careful when it comes to what we put on our face. When in doubt, it’s always better to go the nat...

How to Shave with Sensitive Skin

So you’ve been told that you have sensitive skin. What does that mean? If you have skin that is easily irritated or p...

What Ingredients To Look For In Shaving Cream

When we involve things in our daily routine, it’s important to know what we’re using and how it affects us. One thing...
Close (esc)

Stay In The Know

Subscribe to be the first to know about the best in wet shaving!

Age verification

By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol.

Search

Added to cart