SEATTLE — In the heart of downtown Seattle there is a hat shop that combines local craftsmanship with passion.
“The process from just being a hobby to a craft. It was a romantic experience. I really fell in love with it,” said Patrick Hoyle, the owner of Hoyle Hats Co.
From fedoras to pork pies to top hats, they create styles for every style and occasion for a very specific reason.
“The biggest reason hats came into its inception with me is this right bald? You know, in my 20s, I never had a chance. I just was like, ‘I need something,’” said Hoyle. “My expression of having it is art.”
From their style to their signature crowns, there’s no doubt that these hats are unique. But what makes a hat perfect?
“A perfect hat is something that sits atop somebody who needs it. It looks good, it looks unique,” Hoyle said. “It has properties on it that match the person's personality. I like a hat to accentuate the person. Everybody's head shape and size is different. We're all unique.”
Like many businesses, Hoyle and his hats have found their audience on social media after one of his TikToks went viral.
“Social media has given a lens to people who would normally not see the work you do. The one that went viral, I was lighting a hat. People thought I was just lighting the hat on fire to distress it. It seizes the hat and basically allows it to stay in shape.”
There's no question that when it comes to the art of hat making, Hoyle takes his craft very seriously.
“I like to do it all natural. For me, it's all about the equity of time,” he said. “I like the process to kind of do it's natural organic growth. It takes a while to hand stitch, hand cut and do everything.”
Every Hoyle Hat is made by hand in Washington which emphasizes not only care for their craft, but for their city.
“There is a huge community that respects the time and the essence it takes to get something that is handmade, especially made in Seattle. It's all with these guys. You need a special hat. I can make anything. It's art at the end of the day.”
Hoyle Hat Co. is located on 2134 Western Ave, Suite 118 and is open Friday – Sunday; 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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