Champ Hats

The History of Champ Hats

Champ Hats was a brand of the LaSalle Hat Company of Sunbury, PA, and was distributed nationally from at least the 1930s.

Champ Hats
 

Explore the fascinating history of Champ Hats, an emblem of mid-century style and affordability.

Champ Hats, a significant division of the LaSalle Hat Company based in Sunbury, PA, made its mark on the national stage around the 1930s. Balancing quality and cost-effectiveness, these hats radiated style and were sold for an average price of $7.50 during the 1940s and 50s. This pricing made them competitive with brands like Adam and Lee, while they remained less expensive than Knox, Mallory, and Stetson.

In the 1950s, Champ Hats upped their game with celebrity endorsements, including Guy Williams, sponsoring major events, and radio ads by famed broadcaster Walter Winchell. In 1956, the Hat Corporation of America saw the value in Champ Hats and incorporated it into their broad portfolio of labels.

Checkout our Champ Hats below:

5 thoughts on “Champ Hats”

  1. Avatar of John Hand
    John Hand says:

    I have a Champ trilby that has a side pin in the shape of the Space Needle.
    The same design is on the inside liner. The hat is black and in remarkably good condition. Can you tell me anything about the hat in question?

    Reply
  3. Avatar of Lee J. Pryor
    Lee J. Pryor says:

    My father was a sales representative for Champ Hats in the 1960s covering Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Finding this web site really brings back memories of helping him load and unload the large sample cases that hats required. Because of the size of sample cases he always drove a station wagon. I also remember the collapsible bamboo hat racks he carried to display the sample hats to a retailer.

    Reply

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