Laird London Reviews — London's Independent Hat Maker
About Laird London
Laird London is an independent British hat maker, crafting fine felt, wool, straw and fur-felt hats from its London studio. The brand works across the full spectrum of hat-making — from a carefully considered ready-to-wear range to fully bespoke commissions — and is known equally for the quality of its materials and the attentiveness of its service.
Where many hat brands operate at the level of import and retail, Laird London maintains a direct relationship with the craft. Each piece is shaped, finished, and considered with the understanding that a well-made hat is not a seasonal purchase but a lasting one.
The reviews on this page are drawn from verified customer experiences across the full Laird London range, including ready-to-wear styles, accessories, and bespoke work.
What customers consistently note: the quality of the felt, the precision of the fit, and the care taken in both the making and the service surrounding it.
Fedora & Trilby Reviews
Customers regularly draw attention to the weight of the felt and the cleanliness of the brim edge — details that separate a properly blocked hat from one that has been merely shaped.
Flat Cap & Bakerboy Cap Reviews
The Laird London flat cap and bakerboy range earns consistent praise for its cloth selection and the surety of its construction — customers note these wear and hold their shape quite differently to mass-market versions of the same styles.
Top Hat & Bowler Reviews
Customers purchasing top hats for weddings, race days, and formal occasions consistently note the quality of the block and the hat's ability to maintain its structure and finish through extended wear.
Panama Hat Reviews
The lightness, the quality of the straw weave, and the way the brim sits naturally without stiffening or warping are the details customers return to most frequently.
Peaky Blinders Cap Reviews
Customers note that the Laird London interpretation of this silhouette is considerably more refined than most — the cloth weights and panel construction read as genuinely considered rather than costumed.
Hat Accessories Reviews
Customers purchasing accessories alongside hats frequently note the quality of the materials and the care with which even smaller items are presented and packaged.
Bespoke Commission Reviews
Customers who have commissioned bespoke work from Laird London consistently describe the process as thorough and unhurried — the emphasis on getting the fit and the brief right before anything is made is noted as a mark of the studio's approach.
FAQ Section
Is Laird London the same as Laird Hatters? Yes. Laird London and Laird Hatters refer to the same brand. Laird Hatters is the original trading name; Laird London is the current brand identity. Both names are in active use and refer to the same London hat maker, the same studio, and the same range of hats.
Where is Laird London based? Laird London operates from its studio in London. The brand serves customers worldwide through its online store at lairdlondon.co.uk, and undertakes bespoke commissions by appointment.
Do Laird London offer bespoke hats? Yes. Laird London offer fully bespoke hat commissions, working with customers to establish the brief — style, material, lining, trim, and fit — before a piece is made. Bespoke customers are guided through the process with the same care applied to the making itself.
How does Laird London sizing work? Hat sizing at Laird London follows the standard British and European hat measurement system, based on the circumference of the head in centimetres. A detailed size chart is available on the Laird London website, along with guidance on how to take an accurate measurement at home. The size chart page consistently ranks among the most visited on the site, reflecting how seriously the brand takes fit.
How does Laird London compare to Christys Hats? Laird London and Christys Hats sit within the same ownership group and share a commitment to quality materials and considered construction. Christys, founded in 1773, brings a deeper archive and a particularly strong range of classic fedoras, panamas, and formal hats. Laird London offers a more contemporary independent sensibility, with a broader range of casual styles, accessories, and bespoke capability. Many customers own pieces from both.
Are Laird London hats worth the price? Customer reviews across the Laird London range reflect consistent satisfaction with value for money. The materials — fine wool felt, toquilla straw, quality woven cloths — and the precision of the making justify the investment for customers who view a hat as a long-term piece rather than a disposable one. The brand's accessories, including hat boxes and hat stretchers, receive similarly strong reviews for quality relative to price.
What is a trilby hat? A trilby is a soft felt hat with a narrow brim, typically turned down at the front and slightly upward at the back, and a short, indented crown. It is lighter and less formal in its proportions than a fedora. The name derives from the 1894 novel Trilby by George du Maurier, in which the style was worn by a character on stage. Laird London produces trilbies in fine wool felt and seasonal materials across a range of colours.
Are trilby hats in fashion? The trilby has remained in consistent use in British wardrobes, particularly in smart casual and country contexts. Its narrower brim and lower crown give it a less imposing silhouette than the fedora, making it easier to wear across a broader range of contexts. Quality of construction is the determining factor in how well any hat wears over time.
How should a trilby hat fit? A trilby should sit level on the head, approximately one finger's width above the top of the ear. It should feel secure without pressure — firm enough to stay in place, but not so tight as to mark the forehead. Laird London provides a full size guide to assist customers in finding the correct fit.
Can women wear flat caps? Yes. The flat cap is worn equally by men and women. Laird London's flat cap range is designed and stocked with both in mind, with a breadth of sizes and cloth options that suit a variety of head shapes and personal styles. Customers of all backgrounds wear the style, and it has featured consistently in both menswear and womenswear contexts.
How should a flat cap fit? A flat cap should sit comfortably level on the head without pulling or riding up at the back. The peak should sit naturally forward without the hat needing to be forced down. A correctly fitted flat cap feels secure without pressure — it should not move in a light breeze but should not mark the head after wear.
Explore the full Laird London collection at lairdlondon.co.uk