Shopping: Goorin Bros. hat shop goes old school on Larchmont
Back when hats were an indispensible element of civilized dressing, neighborhoods typically boasted a hat shop — a social spot where milliners made and fit hats for the locals.
It’s that cordial vibe of an old-school chapeau shop that San Francisco-based hat company Goorin Bros. hopes to recreate with its retail stores. Its first L.A. location is on Melrose and its second opened recently on Larchmont Boulevard — one of L.A.’s most neighborhood-minded shopping districts.
“We look for locations where families live, and where there’s a small-town feel,” said Ben Goorin, chief executive of the company and the great-grandson of Cassel Goorin, who founded the company in Pittsburgh in 1895. “Larchmont is one of the few Los Angeles neighborhoods where people actually park and walk around. There’s a strong sense of community.”
The walls of the 1,050-square-foot shop are covered in nearly every style of hat imaginable for men and women — including baseball and newsboy caps, floppy and structured straw sun hats and fedoras. Prices range from $25 to $200.
Framed black-and-white photographs tell the story of the family-owned company, while objects such as an old camera reel (which doubles as a hanging light fixture), an 18th century music box and an antique standing mirror hearken back to Hollywood’s golden age.
It’s a carefully cultivated atmosphere, and one that matches the tone of the shop’s retro-inspired merchandise.
“Our hats are…inspired by the past,” Goorin said. “But now you can wear a very classic hat with a very casual wardrobe, like with jeans and a T-shirt. In that case, the hat becomes your mark of individuality. We attract people who exude confidence.”
141½ N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 463-2006. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
EVENTS
NativeLA Showcases Local Designers & Artists Saturday: The owners of L.A.-based vintage store NativeLA host a flea market featuring wares from local artists, designers and retail stores including Grandma’s Closet and Stone Child Jewelry. The event will also feature free cocktails and edibles from food trucks including Auntie’s Fry Bread Tacos and Meet N’ Potatoes.
511 Molino St., Los Angeles. 12 to 6 p.m.
shopnativela.com
John Freida Salon Tour Friday and Saturday: Hair-care company John Frieda is touring the country in a salon-on-wheels (an 18-wheeler, to be exact) and will land at the Hollywood & Highland mall this weekend. It will offer free 15-minute hair consultations and styles (no cuts or color) with top stylists and colorists from the John Frieda salons in New York and L.A., led by celebrity stylist Harry Josh, whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Gisele Bundchen and Amanda Seyfried.
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
Henri Bendel Summer Sale Saturday through July 31: Get 25% to 40% off select items at this annual sale.
South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714) 557-1647. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday ; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Style-Morphosis with Bumble and Bumble at Sephora Friday: Celebrity hairstylist Rolando Beauchamp (the mane man for Kim Kardashian and Eva Mendes) and Bumble and Bumble stylists offer complimentary hair styling services inspired by red carpets, runways and magazines. Elle magazine’s Street Chic blogger and photographer will be there to scout and shoot looks, so put your best fashion foot forward.
Sephora Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 462-6898. 1 to 7 p.m.
https://www.bumbleandbumble.com
The AdDress Boutique’s 25th anniversary party Thursday: Nab Chanel, Gucci and other designer labels at 25% off at the 25th anniversary party of resale fashion boutique the AdDress. Champagne and nibbles will be served.
1116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 394-1406. 5 to 9 p.m.
https://www.theaddressboutique.com
