Newsboy caps seem to be everywhere in Delaware County.
Last winter, a group got together for a screening at the Strand Theatre– all of them wearing caps with all kinds of patterns and colors, the hats a part of the evening’s unofficial dress code.
Prior to the movie showing, guests visited a showcase of caps at the Opa, and closed their evening at Bandit’s.
The event, organized around a screening of “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man,” offered a glimpse of what Peaky Hat owner Ryan Miller hopes to build.
“All around downtown that day you saw tons of people with these peaky hats on. People were asking, ‘what’s that all about,’” Strand Theatre Executive Director Tracey Peyton said.
Peaky Hat sells more than caps, but presents more as a lifestyle brand that gives customers room to express themselves and find community, all while simultaneously creating opportunities for local businesses to work together.
What are Peaky Hats?
Peaky Hat is a locally based company that designs heritage-inspired caps made for everyday life, whether someone is attending an event in downtown Delaware, coaching youth sports, golfing or simply mowing the yard.
They are designed in Ohio using fabrics sourced from around the world, including Harris Tweed from Scotland and lightweight performance textiles made for heat and activity.
Miller said the company’s lack of generations-old traditions gives it the freedom to experiment with materials, colors and patterns.
“There are many hats that are sitting on 100 years of legacy, right? Think family businesses, their grandfather designed these caps, and his dad designed these caps,” Miller said.
“Because I don’t fit that mold, I don’t have any legacy that I have to adhere to, which means I can take way more risks.”
Those risks have included caps made from denim, leather and high-performance athletic fabrics. Each material brings its own lessons, from learning how denim changes with wear to discovering that standard production needles were not strong enough to stitch a cowhide cap.
The learning process is part of Miller’s commitment to continuously improving the product.
“If I’m not learning every day or optimizing, or improving, then I’m doing an injustice to the customers,” Miller said.
Quality without the premium markup
Miller spent more than two decades working in digital strategy, retail consulting, branding and customer experience before starting Peaky Hat.
He became frustrated with companies that prioritized extracting more money from customers rather than delivering more value. That experience helped establish one of Peaky Hat’s central principles – improve quality without making the product unattainable.
Most Peaky Hat caps sell for approximately $60 to $80, while comparable caps can cost more than $100. Miller said he intentionally avoids positioning the company as a premium brand available only to affluent customers.
“I firmly believe the working class in blue collar America should not have to overspend on fashion and accessories,” Miller said.
“Our caps aren’t for everybody, but they are absolutely for anybody, no matter your background, color, race, gender,” Miller said.
This versatility and quality combined with a sense of approachability has helped turn some customers into collectors. Brad Sweatland owns 13 Peaky Hat caps.
Before meeting Miller through a shuffleboard league, Sweatland primarily wore baseball hats.
“I just decided to try it, and then the more I tried them, the more I liked them. They’re comfortable, they’re lightweight. Because there’s different styles, you can look different, you can feel different, and they can kind of work with any wardrobe, really,” Sweatland said.
Sweatland now serves as an informal brand advocate, wearing the hats, answering questions and encouraging friends to try them. He said the different fabrics and designs allow the caps to work with everything from shorts to dress pants.
More important to Sweatland is the brand’s “You be You” message, which encourages customers to embrace their own style rather than dress for someone else’s approval.
“You can wear whatever hat with whatever outfit you want to because you feel good at it, not because you’re worried what someone’s going to think you look like,” Sweatland said.
A brand built through local partnerships
Peaky Hat’s connection to Delaware extends beyond its customer base.
Miller said his children attend school and participate in activities in the area, while his family spends time at local businesses and community events. He hopes Peaky Hat can become increasingly involved in supporting the people and organizations that make Delaware distinctive.
“I like the vibe. I like the attitude. There’s a lot more neighbors helping neighbors than anybody is going to give credit to,” Miller said.
One example came through a collaboration with the Strand Theatre, Opa Grill and Tavern and Bandits Bar and Grill surrounding a screening of “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.”
Tracey Peyton said the collaboration elevated the moviegoing experience while giving several local businesses an opportunity to support and promote one another.
“The collaboration with venues downtown and other merchants was good, it is something the community can really get behind. All of us supporting the same thing– it speaks to the spirit of the community in Delaware,” Peyton said.
The partnership also allowed people who might never have considered the style to try a cap. Peyton described the brand as having a relaxed confidence rather than relying on trends or pressure to fit in.
“Every hat has a personality. One hat may not appeal to you, but there is a hat that would. Peaky hats are for everybody,” Peyton said.
Miller ultimately hopes to establish a physical Peaky Hat presence in downtown Delaware. A storefront would allow the company to contribute more directly to the local economy, participate in community life and collaborate with other independent businesses.
“My ultimate goal would be to have a storefront in downtown Delaware. I think it would be awesome to have a name and a presence in downtown Delaware to be able to contribute to the growth of that local community,” Miller said.
For Miller, that growth will continue to be guided by the same philosophy that launched the company: Choose people over shortcuts, remain accessible and do what is right for the customer.
“Every day we choose the harder right over the easier wrong. It’s proven to be beneficial, and I feel really proud of the brand that we’ve built,” Miller said.
Interested in Peaky Hat? Check out their website to order online.
