San Diego Hat Co. History

A passion for world travel and an enduring love for hats led San Diego-based friends and business partners Andrew Bleecher and Teresa Gardner to the Original Cotton Crotchet Hat® - that launched their business in Bali, Indonesia, in 1993.

Keen interest in that first hat spurred them to search throughout Asia for new materials and craftsmanship to expand their line. In the beginning, the pair ran their fledgling business out of a San Diego garage. With increased demand came the need for larger facilities. In 2000, the San Diego Hat Co. incorporated and the business moved into new offices and warehouse in Carlsbad, Calif. Although this wholesale company has grown to include a full team and sells to a wide range of boutiques and specialty chains, its original focus has not changed: to provide its customers with their favorite hats each season.

Our strength is that we design and source all of our products. It can be said that our company is more about fashion than it is about hats. We promise our customers that we will constantly provide a better assortment of fashion trends - in color, style and fabric -with maximum functionality and value faster than our competition. We consistently set trends in hats.

The company has three signature brands. Silver Wave® is the original cotton crochet hat for women and children. San Diego Hat Co.®, the core brand, covers women, men and children for spring and fall. Daylee Designs is a licensed line of unique hats created by a crochet designer for newborns and children up to six years old for spring and fall.

SDHC's core customers are fashion-conscious women and men between the ages of 25 and 50. The company serves a number of niche markets, including the resort, garden and gift sectors - and it separates itself from its competitors by offering unique products that don't look mass produced.

Private Label Development

In addition to marketing a core brand that satisfies the consumer's passion each season for stylish, affordable and functional accessories, we also produce private label and branded label products for some of the most recognizable and highly respected brands today.

Partnering with our expert team in private label development will give you a competitive edge in trend interpretation, product assortment and fulfillment. Our minimums are low, the lead-time is fast, and we work together to ensure you reach your margin objectives. Call us to today for more information on how we can help you successfully build your brand.