James Lock

James Lock

Lock & Co. 

With a hat or a tweed cap by James Lock you will receive a piece of headwear from no one less than the oldest hat shop in the world! If that does not convey enough "Heritage", then it should also be mentioned at this point that it is one of the oldest family businesses at all. More specifically, Lock & Co. Hatters is listed on place 34.

The company was founded in 1676 by Robert Davis. His son Charles continued the business and in 1747, he hired James Lock - who should become name giver later on - as an apprentice. The shop was later forward to Lock by his master in 1759.

To this day, the Lock family continues to work there - still at the 6 St James Street, London! So the 6th St. James Street is still the address of the Royal Hatter and bears the coats of arms of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.

By the way, the Duke of Windsor - one of the greatest style icons of the last century - was one of the best customers of the house and brought the name into the world.

James Lock Hats

A true gentleman always wore a hat on his head until the 20th century.

But why does a gentleman actually wear a hat? Since the 17th century it is a question that kept many people busy. The answer is as concise as it is simple: A man of the world wears a hat so that he can take it off when it is needed!

With this maxim in mind, Lock & Co. Hatters equips the fine society of London.

The collection has the entire repertoire of headwear and yet we would like to point out the most important and smartest model made by James Lock:

A wonderful trilby named "Voyager". A rollable hat made of rabbit felt, which can be brought into a personal shape by its wearer.

Whether fedora, trilby or a flatter, similar to the pork pie headgear, the "Voyager" will be your faithful companion. See for yourself!

The Bowler Hat - A Hat for a Gentleman!

Above all, the London-based company is responsible for the emergence of the so-called "Bowler Hat".

In 1849, Edward Coke, an English landowner, ordered a hat for his game warden from hatter James Lock. Edward Coke wanted a low and above all stable hat for his staff for the purpose of hunting. The worn top hats were repeatedly pushed down by branches while riding. Edward Coke wanted this to be changed.
So the rest is history and Lock & Co. Hatters became worldwide known with the production of this hat! Covered in rabbithair felt and hardened shellac, this stiff, indestructible headgear became a symbol of the British hat!
The list of well-known clients ranges from Charlie Chaplin to Oscar Wilde and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - the son of the style icon of the young Cary Grant, who incidentally lived in an apartment directly above the shop. As you can see, you are in the best and most exclusive company.