Over a Century of Craftsmanship & Resilience
It's safe to say that the story of Wigéns is a story of perseverance and resilience, without compromise to their ideals of providing some of the very best caps in the world.
Would you have guessed that it all began with a pair of brothers--one initially working in textiles and the other intending to work in carpentry before fate led them on a different path?
As for the very official beginnings of Wigéns as the entity we know it to be today, in May of 1906, Oscar Wigén took over the helm of the cap-making business he and his brother Carl had been running since 1900 together in Tranås, Sweden. Renaming the business Wigéns, it swiftly became a name associated with caps a cut above the rest, handmade with style and precision that carried them through not only two world wars, but also a catastrophic fire of their facilities the summer of 1933 amidst it all that had them temporarily working in much more cramped conditions.
By 1955, now under Gunnar Perlind who had taken over as CEO after the passing of Oscar in 1944, a new modernized factory became the home for their production still in Tranås, where it remained until eventually in 1994, when they moved production to Pärnu, Estonia with their headquarters remaining in Ulricehamn, Sweden where designing and management remains today. In 2013, Wigéns was acquired by Amanda Christensen AB, becoming a part of House of Amanda Christensen and it continues to grow amidst being a staple in the hat world.
A Cut Above
So what makes a Wigéns cap so special?
Holding firmly to tradition, each cap is shaped individually on Swedish Alder blocks to give them their distinctive, classic shapes, and they take a lot of pride in being able to do so utilizing quality materials spanning between Harris and Magee Donegal tweeds and more, ensuring they also provide exceptional warmth through the colder months of the year. Care and attention is given even to the linings--some coming quilted for extra insulation and hidden drop down ear warmers, all of it honoring Oscar Wigén's keen eye for quality and detail that he was so well known for.
Amidst all this, they come in a solid array of styles, from retro cut newsboys and classic ivy caps, to more trim and sleek profiles like the newsboy and ivy slim cap styles, making them the perfect cap choice for someone not only with a heart set on very classic cuts that have carried the elegance of wearing a Wigéns since the early 1900s, but also the modern gentleman (or lady!) wanting to have a quality cap that lends a slim and stylish accent to their daily attire!
Here are some of the token Wigéns cuts you will find:
The Classics
Ivy Classic Cap
The Ivy Classic cut presents a flat cap with classic panels and seams that create an elegant, mid-curved peak and slanting profile while its curved side seam softens the front view with a vintage looking silhouette that gives emphasis to the weight of the material. (Ex: Wigens Hugo)
Newsboy Retro Cap
For fans of paneled caps, the Newsboy Retro cut by Wigéns gives a full and squash 8 panel newsboy that offers a similar mid-curve peak to exude vintage style. This is definitely a cut that fans of newsboys and apples enjoy, and it's easy to see why! (Ex: Wigens Gil)
Newsboy Classic Cap
If instead a more rounded newsboy style is preferred, Wigéns' classic newsboy cut trims back the length of the panels to shift the silhouette to a less voluminous profile. It keeps the cap more trim to the head without sacrificing any of its classic, chique style. (Ex: Wigens Roman)
Sleek Silhouettes
Newsboy Slim Cap
The Newsboy Slim cut is a buttonless 6 panel newsboy that echoes the trim profile of an ivy, but retains the beloved panels fans of newsboy caps desire. It's a fair blend of traditional and more modern aesthetics, and easily a cap meant for everyday style. (Ex: Wigens Thomas)
Ivy Slim Cap
For a slightly more trim ivy cap, the Ivy Slim cut provides a more narrow silhouette to its classic counterpart. The extended side seam creates a sleeker, more wedged profile while keeping the elegance of vintage ivy league caps. (Ex: Wigens Winston - this one also comes with earflaps!)
Ivy Modern Cap
For a more sporty take on the classic ivy, the Ivy Modern cut carries a narrow profile paired with a short peak and gently rounded side seams. Of the ivy caps, its bill is the least visible, making it almost seem like a pub. (Ex: Wigens Cyd)
Pub Cap
... Speaking of pub caps, this final style offered by Wigéns echoes the same sporty and sleek look of the modern ivy cut with its narrow crown and lack of excess material, making it the perfect cap for everyday wear and styling, without feeling like a lot of hat. (Ex: Wigens Younger)
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Wigéns caps have been exemplary amongst their peers in the hat world for over 115 years, and continue to be to this day. With their range of styles, dedication to quality and detail, they make wonderful additions to anyone's cap collection. So, if you want to become part of this ongoing legacy, we invite you to explore our growing collection to claim one of your own!
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our customer service at 888-999-HATS (4287) or via email at hats@hatsinthebelfry.com. Want to try them on in-person? We have a sound collection in the shop as well, so come visit us at 103 Main Street, Annapolis, MD! We'd love to see you!
