Modern Sun Protection Boonie Hat in Merino Wool with Covered Buttons

Modern Sun Protection Boonie Hat in Merino Wool with Covered Buttons

A University Athletic Department approached us to develop a modern sun protection boonie hat around a single idea: covered buttons, executed in merino wool. The capsule was destined for Egypt and needed modern finishing that reads designer on the rail while staying repeatable in bulk. This case study records the brief, the specification and the delivery.

The challenge

• The sample did not match the runway reference
• Fabric hand feel changed between production runs
• Unit costs were too high for a boutique price point

What we specified

How it was built

1. Reference garments and moodboards were translated into a measurement spec, not just photos.
2. Merino Wool was confirmed with lab dips and a hand-feel approval before grading.
3. The sun protection boonie hat was prototyped on the fit model, then revised twice before pre-production.
4. Covered Buttons was applied in a controlled process to keep every piece consistent.
5. Bulk ran with in-line inspection; a photo report was shared before shipment.

Result

• 2,400 pieces delivered inside the 10-week window.
• Unit cost held within 1.5% of the approved quotation.
• The a University Athletic Department launched on schedule and reordered the same specification next season.

What we would repeat

Approve the hand feel on the actual bulk fabric — proto cloth always behaves differently.

Planning a similar capsule?

Tell us the quantity, target price and delivery window, and we will build a customisation programme around those three numbers.