Big It Up: Locally founded and owned hat store offers latest trends in hat fashions
I love hats. And as a person with a large head (according to many hat vendors) I’ve always had a heck of a time finding headwear to fit my oversized cranium. Many stores, especially those that market trendy or fashionable clothing lines, tend to stick to the ‘one size fits all’ sizing option, which is only suitable for a surprisingly limited percentage of the population. Imagine my joy, then, when I first moved to Toronto and discovered the Big It Up hat store in the Eaton Centre. The majority of their hats have a more generous fit than the usual department store fare, or else come in more than one size. And the selection is always at the forefront of current trends.
Big It Up entered the Toronto scene in 1996, headed by Dameion Royes, who was tired of the boring, out-of-touch accessories then available on the market. His friends agreed, and out of the desire to make better, hipper accessories, Big It Up was born. They now have a team comprised of people from all over the globe, and their hats and accessories reflect this multicultural diversity. Their main store and head office can be found at 58 Spadina Ave, just south of the King West intersection, and they have storefronts in three major malls in the GTA: the Eaton Centre, Square One, and Yorkdale. Different styles and fabrics are introduced as the seasons change, and the detail and quality found in their hat wear is above and beyond the norm. Prices are quite reasonable, especially for more trendy items, but if you’re looking for a classic piece, high quality‘dress’ hats are also available. Made in Canada of various kinds of felts, these include the classic fedora, bowler, and ‘Bogart’ styles. And if you’re a hat-lover living outside the GTA, have no fear: all of their products are available from their online store.
Locations: 58 Spadina Ave.; the Eaton Centre, level 1; Square One Shopping Centre, level 1; Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Website: www.bigitup.com
