TRENDY HATS FOR MAMA AND MINIS

BOHO BELLA HAT CO

By Elizabeth Shane

PHOTOS BY ZACH STEIGER

Hats are a trendy accessory that can be attributed to several elements such as fashion, versatility, and functionality. They are a marvelous way to display one’s individuality allowing you to showcase your unique sense of self. Hats add a stylish element to any outfit, enhancing overall appearance, and come in various shapes, sizes, and materials providing stunning looks for accessorizing. Whether it's a wide-brimmed sun hat for summer or a sophisticated Fedora for winter, the combination of style and functionality makes hats appealing for any season.

In December 2022, Columbia resident Brittany Steiger was looking for cute hats for her young daughters, Abella (11), Penny (7), and Rosie (3). While searching for stylish and reasonably priced kids’ hats, she found herself unsuccessful. “I couldn't find any hats I liked so one day I threw some together,” explained Steiger. “I am super crafty and creative. I have a degree in photography and an eye for detail so I decided to make some cute stylish hats myself for my girls that didn’t cost a fortune.”

After friends and neighbors saw the finished products, they all wanted hats for their daughters and themselves and Boho Bella Hat Co came to be. “It all fell into place, and I built it into something like a side hustle,” Steiger laughed. As a full-time mom, part-time hobby farmer, and hat lover Steiger’s dream is to create hats that help kids and ladies find their inner boldness and style.

Boho Bella Hat Co showcases felt hats in diverse styles and colors, enabling you to craft a hat that reflects your personality and unique fashion sense. As the designer, Steiger guides her clients while choosing decorative options that align with their tastes and preferences. From ribbons to feathers and other organics or jewelry, almost anything can be included to add details to the hats.

“Typically, people pick out three ribbons or fabrics as accents for the band part of the hat. I then add things like pins, incorporate special meaningful things like a piece of jewelry, and can even brand initials or names on the hats,” explained Steiger. To add the finishing touch, Steiger then generally builds some sort of mini bouquet from dried flowers, wheat, and feathers from her farm’s chickens and turkeys. “It’s so fun to watch people work through the creative process,” she said. “A lot of people are overwhelmed by it, but once they get started they think the process is really fun.”

Most clients are women, however, Boho Bella Hat Co does sell men’s hats. Kids hats range from $35 to $45 with adult hats priced at $50 to $60. Neutral colors are the most popular with cream, beige, tan, and light brown being the top colors. “I love it when people want a color other than a neutral. It's so much fun to make something with a pop of color,” Steiger said.

Since starting her business, Boho Bell Hat Co has participated in First Fridays in Columbia, Second Saturdays at the Factory at Columbia, A Very Maury Christmas, and has plans to participate in the Homestead Festival in June this year. “I enjoy doing markets and interacting with all the people. So many people think wearing a hat is intimidating, but I think a hat is a confidence booster,” Steiger stated. “People come up to me and say, ‘I am not a hat person, or I don’t have anywhere to wear a hat.’ I tell them you can wear a hat anywhere. Walk out your door and wear it to the grocery store with confidence!”

Currently, Steiger does mostly pop-ups and private parties from Columbia to Nashville, and this year she is looking into working with local boutiques to carry her finished hats. “Honestly, I enjoy the business and it keeps me busy and creative. I will continue to grow [my business], but at a pace that's sustainable for our family. My husband Zach is very supportive and helps with social media, but it’s my thing,” Steiger concluded.

Follow Steiger’s Boho Bell Hat Co on social media at @bohobellahatco for upcoming events and DM to book a private party or pop-up. Wear that hat with style, and feel confident in your fashion statement!