In 1980, frustrated that he couldn't find a worthwhile sailing hat, Alex Tilley decided to oversee the creation of some proper hat's for himself and other toronto sailors as a winter hobby. The hat had to float, stay on, be unshrinkable, last indefinitely and look attractive. Alex took deign advice from a milliner, technical fabric information from a sail-maker and then oversaw it's manufacture. Over the next few years, his hobby became a small business. In 1984 he established Tilley Endurables as a fledgling mail order company in Toronto and began creating travel specific clothing along with hats. Over 30 years later the company is still committed to making the best in the world, in Canada. The Wanderer Tilley hat arrives with a worn in look achieved via and enzyme wash. All of the grommets & eyelets are black-plated instead of brass as are the side snaps which offer three different ways to wear this hat.