Help Create a Greener Earth This Arbor Day: Green Earth Tartan and Tweed Collection

In celebration of Arbor Day, people across the nation will take time to plant a tree, an easy way to do their part to help the planet. Established in 1874, Arbor Day has long been recognized as one of the simplest ways for people to find a deeper connection between themselves and the world around them.

To honor the mission of the Arbor Day Foundation, hats.com is donating 10% of each purchase of the Green Earth Tartan and Tweed collection to the organization. The Green Earth Tartan and Tweed collection utilizes a unique tartan pattern, with each color representing the majesty of and difficulties facing our planet. Green represents the vast forests and fields; blue for waters and the sky; white for the icecaps; black for resources such as oil and coal; and red for the environmental danger Earth faces.

Celebrate Earth Day in Style!

Feel good about looking good! There are many apparel and accessory companies that are becoming more eco-conscious about what type of footprint they are leaving behind with their products. Below is a list of fabrics and fibers that are becoming commonly used in the fashion world.

Bamboo is noted as one of the most sustainable plants on the planet because of its fast growth and well-established roots. The bamboo is turned into a pulp and then spun into a fiber to create the fabric. The woven bamboo fabric holds naturally cooling properties which makes it perfect for summer hats and garments.

Organic Canvas, which refers to tightly woven durable fibers, can be made from a variety of sources such as cotton, hemp, or linen. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic means to be grown without the use of toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or the use of genetically engineered seeds. Wearing organic canvas is the perfect excuse to feel good about looking good.

Hemp, perhaps one of the most diversely used plants in the world, can also be made into a strong, durable fiber for fabric. Because this fabric is so resilient to wear and tear, it’s perfect for a hat destined to be tested by the elements.

Corn is becoming increasingly seen as more then just food, especially since it’s development as a biofuel. Corn is used for its refined tones by apparel companies as a renewable resource and as a way reduce their impact on the earth.

After crops have been collected, the stalks are left behind, which is generally termed straw. This byproduct of various grains is used to make many pieces of apparel, most commonly hats. Straw products are a great way to make use of the waste after a seasonal harvest.

Kentucky Derby Hat Fashions for 2009

Perhaps one of more talked about sporting events in America, the Kentucky Derby, is always under the spotlight when it comes to hat fashion. Some shapes may be a bit over the top, but others truly become style icons. Each year at the Kentucky Derby there’s a focus on what hats fashionistas and stars are wearing, from extra-wide brims to flamboyant colors.

Trying to find a style that’s just right for you, or really don’t know exactly what a “Derby” hat looks like? Look no farther than selections from Betmar, Plaza Suite, and Pantropic in the new “Derby Day” section on hats.com. Styles like the Joi from Plaza Suite and the Brisbane from Betmar are the perfect style and color for this event.

New Boys on the Block: Cody, Colton, Connor and Caden

A flickering streetlight throws shadows all around. You step out of a long black vintage limousine and step up to the club. Inside the band is swinging and everyone is dancing, only to stop when you fill the doorway. This hat's look is so distinctive that you're sure to be a distraction, right before the party picks up and gets even louder. This straw hat, exclusively from hats.com, puts a strikingly cool twist on the always stylish fedora. The crown tilts slightly askew for a crooked look that's wickedly cool. Lightweight, sturdy, and ultimately trendy.

The Cody,along with the Colton, Connor and Caden, are all perfect for accents for any night on the town!