Debonair Division
It’s the finer details that make a gentleman’s outfit. These homegrown men’s accessories labels are designed to add a dash of panache to your wardrobe
It’s the finer details that make a gentleman’s outfit
BILL CAIN
Founder and director of Hat of Cain
Arriving in balmy Singapore in 1989, William “Bill” Cain, formerly of Canada, found the perfect destination to put down roots and call home. The dashing hatmaker, who runs the eponymous Hat of Cain label, first struck upon the idea of creating his brand in 2012 when, frustrated by the lack of a decent panama hatmaker in Asia, he decided to take things into his own hands—and with a little encouragement from his wife. Nine years later, the enterprising Cain has since built a slice of sartorial heaven for the discerning, dapper world traveller, encapsulated in his flagship store along Singapore’s quaint Joo Chiat neighbourhood. The boutique is a reflection of Cain’s personal style, and is filled with antiques—some dating back to 1910. We
catch up with the immaculately groomed hatmaker, who tells us about the eternal appeal of a well-made hat, the style essentials for men, and the one style icon every man should look to.
How would you describe Hat of Cain’s aesthetic in three words?
Old-world charm. But a caveat to that: old-world charm in a modern world.
Why would you describe it so?
We’ve created an environment where we welcome people, and we make them feel relaxed when they come into the space. We have old furniture in here, we have little collectibles, we have antique paintings on the wall going back to 1910. We have beautiful photographs and old furniture from my days of travelling around Asia and collecting things. That’s why it’s a little bit old world. And we’re also in a shophouse in Joo Chiat, which has a little bit of character and old-world feel.
What drew you to the panama hat?
It’s just beautiful. It’s a beautiful work of art and a very elegant piece of headgear that was dying out in the 1970s, and ’80s, and ’90s, and now it’s come back with a full revival in the 2000s, so it’s really exciting, but it’s just such a beautiful handmade hat style.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
It comes from several aspects. One is the customers that we meet and the people that I’ve met over the years travelling around the world, places I’ve been to, things that I’ve seen, and things that I’ve collected over the years. It’s just a culmination of 40 years of travelling the world, going to interesting places, meeting interesting people, seeing what different people’s tastes are like, taking an appreciation of different cultures and different heritages.
What are three things that every man should have in his sartorial arsenal?
First of all, I would say, a fine panama hat. Two, a good-quality linen shirt. And then I think, a nice, classic timepiece.