Head Start

Fashion is fickle. Styles come and go. Leg warmers and hot pink get replaced by ripped jeans and flannel, only to come back again decades later. But hats? They're forever.

The baseball cap has transcended the sport to become a fashion fixture in its own right. The beanie, a long-time staple of the skateboard and alternative music scenes, has rocketed to the fore as those subcultures have gone mainstream. The fedora? Indiana Jones wore one-what more do you need?

This kind of staying power should be reason enough for your clients to buy promotional hats. To help you get started, check out some of the current styles on the market.

Modern Classic
The unstructured Classic Vintage Cap from AHEAD comes in 28 colors, so you're covered no matter what side you choose in the "Pepsi or Coke" argument. Made from twill. For more information, visit www.aheadcorporate.com.

Well Seasoned
It's tough to top the synthesizer riff in "Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa, but the six-panel Salt and Pepper Hat from American Apparel comes close with its adjustable snap-back closure and built-in cotton twill sweatband. For more information, visit www.americanapparel.net/wholesale.

Driver's Ed
Like all his other movies, "Drive" is just one long opportunity for Ryan Gosling to steal our hearts. Capture the Gosling mojo with the antimicrobial, moisture-wicking Badger Drive Pro Tech Flex Cap from Bodek and Rhodes. For more information, visit www.bodekandrhodes.com.

The Land Down Under
Available in khaki or navy, the water-resistant, wide brim, easily storable Fold N' Go Outdoor Hat from Ariel Premium Supply would make even hat-sporting legend Crocodile Dundee proud to wear it. Areas for screen print are available on the carrying bag, as well as the top and front of the hat. For more information, visit www.arielpremium.com.

My Little Pony
With a built-in ponytail opening on the back, Brandwear Basics Ltd.'s Mia Ponytail Running Cap is perfect for active women or dudes in metal bands. The flatlock-stitched cap is made from 87/13 nylon/spandex jersey and comes in black, purple or pink. For more information, visit www.brandwear.ca.

Know Your Options
With 10 available colors and three decoration styles (embroidery, heat transfer or woven label), Fersten Worldwide's Jersey Knit Solid Tuque with Cuff offers almost as many options as there are ways to incorrectly pronounce "tuque." For more information, visit www.fersten.com.

Melt Your Troubles Away
While not as cool as the woolly mammoth skull we saw at the museum, the 8" Skull Acrylic Beanie with Stripes from Headwear Professionals will perform a lot better in an ice age. It comes in eight colors. For more information, visit www.headwear-usa.com.

Strike a Pose
The six-panel Head to Toe Oil Cloth Cap from Heritage Sportswear Inc. is so comfortable it'll make you stare pensively into the distance while reflecting on life's small comforts. (Or maybe the photographer just asked for "Blue Steel.") For more information, visit www.heritagesportswear.com.

Save a Head
Rumor has it the Postal Service will outfit mail carriers in the water-resistant Budget Saver Non-Woven Cap from Hit Promotional Products, finally solving its budget crisis. The cap comes in 11 colors and has a 4x1.875" imprint area. For more information, visit www.hitpromo.net.

Low Rider
Low profile, shmo profile. With 14 available color combinations OTTO International Inc.'s Superior Cotton Twill Binding Trim Visor with Contrast Stitching Six Panel Low Profile Pro Style will make you stand out. For more information, visit www.ottocap.com.

Knit Wit
Available in four colors, Prime Line's Knitted Beanie holds a 3.5x2" embroidery. (So you can finally get that "dude who looks like Spiderman doing a ski jump" logo you always wanted.) For more information, visit www.primeline.com.

Designer Duds
Unlike the knockoff sunglasses we bought from a street vendor at full price, this brand-name cap is the real deal. S&S Activewear's Oakley TP3 Cap is made from 100 percent cotton and has UV protection and contrast stitching. For more information, visit www.ssactivewear.com.

Lightheaded
If you've ever thought, "A flashlight would be real helpful right now, but I don't want to put down either of these ice cream cones," then ATT Proline's Flashing L.E.D. Headlight Constructed Treeroot Camo Low Profile Cap is for you. It has five flashing lights and a Velcro strap. For more information, visit www.attheadwear.com.