There is a moment Lauren Dembeck, owner of Brims on the Bluff, never gets tired of seeing: When a customer walks into the store, perhaps convinced that he or she is “not a hat person.”
That is when the Brims team begins experimenting – trying different crown shapes and brim widths and styles by steaming, hand-shaping, and adjusting until the hat begins to mold to the customer, rather than the other way around like most hats off the shelf.
“We love steaming the hat and then putting it on the guest’s head to let their head form their own hat,” Dembeck said. “It’s so satisfying for us to watch their face change when they actually feel that hat molding to their own head.”
Then comes the look in the mirror, the moment it all comes together and the process of hat shaping and transformation is complete.
Hats have always been, and always will be, the foundation of Brims on the Bluff, but the Bluffton boutique is spreading its wings and has expanded its offerings. The inventory now includes boots, jeans, Western- and equestrian-inspired apparel, authentic turquoise jewelry, accessories, and one-of-a-kind pieces that allow the team to style customers from head to toe.
“I want people to see the story beyond the brim,” Dembeck said. “Of course, hats are the heart of Brims on the Bluff, but we offer so much more than just hats, and we want to share all we have to offer with Bluffton and our visitors.”
A Little Bit of Everything
Trying to categorize Brims on the Bluff is part of the fun.
The boutique isn’t strictly Western. It isn’t exclusively equestrian, Southern, or fashion-forward, either. Instead, it’s something of a hybrid, a place where influences overlap and customers are encouraged to create a style uniquely their own.
One of the boutique’s biggest recent additions is Ariat boots and jeans, including footwear for men, women, and children. The expanded selection means Bluffton-area shoppers no longer need to travel when looking for a quality pair of cowboy or cowgirl boots. It also gives Brims the opportunity to outfit an entire family, with options for coordinating or even matching combinations.
Whether the occasion is a family photo session, rodeo, equestrian event, vacation, or simply an excuse to have some fun with fashion, the goal is to offer something for everyone.
And, as always, personalization is encouraged.
Customers can even bring in hats or boots they already own for a little Brims-style refresh. The store can add branding or other details that give an existing favorite an entirely new personality.
Another natural expansion has been authentic jewelry.
Each year, the Brims team travels to Arizona to source gemstones, which are used to create many of the boutique’s hat beads and accessories in-house. As customers began asking for earrings, necklaces and other jewelry to coordinate with their hats, the team listened.
“We like to listen to our customers and what they’re asking for and provide that. They are our heart and soul, and their opinions matter deeply to us,” Dembeck said.
Brims now works with suppliers and Native American artisans in Arizona and New Mexico to offer authentic turquoise jewelry ranging from statement necklaces, rings, cuffs, and earrings to bolos for men. Several pieces are connected to generations of artists and jewelry-making traditions.
“We have timeless pieces that we hope will start generational traditions,” Dembeck said, imagining jewelry purchased at Brims today eventually being passed to children and grandchildren, creating their own new traditions.
The evolving apparel and accessories selection at Brims also has been influenced by the company’s travels.
The boutique participates in equestrian events around the country, including destinations in Michigan, Florida, and California. Those experiences have inspired additional clothing selections, from horse-embroidered jeans and sweaters to jackets and other pieces that can be customized.
Whenever possible, Brims incorporates artists and hand-finished details into its merchandise.
Local artists can paint hats with custom designs – even working from a photograph of a customer’s horse or pet. College-themed hats feature hand-painted mascots and school-inspired designs. The result is merchandise that feels less mass-produced and more personal.
“We always like to add a personal touch to everything we do,” Dembeck said.
Still All About the Hat
Even with all the new additions, the experience that built Brims on the Bluff remains firmly intact.
Among the premium hat offerings is beaver fur, along with seasonal colors that rotate throughout the year. Fall brings shades of camel cashmere, dusty rose, and deep evergreen.
Customers do not need an appointment Tuesday through Saturday, when walk-ins are welcome. Mondays are reserved for prebooked private appointments, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy the store one-on-one for birthdays, anniversaries, girls’ gatherings, or simply a more personal shopping experience.
Private appointments may be arranged around regular store hours. How much time to allow? That depends entirely upon the shopper. The Brims team suggests at least 45 minutes, but there’s no stopwatch running at the boutique.
“We love when people just sit and feel comfortable and really embrace the process,” Dembeck said.
The team considers face shape, height, and personal style when recommending hats. Brims can cut a wide five-inch brim down to create a shorter fedora-style silhouette, and every hat can be hand-shaped.
One of the most universally flattering styles is the shop’s favorite, a teardrop crown with a touch of Western flair along the sides.
Then come the embellishments. Brims has thousands of possibilities, from handmade hat bands created with semiprecious stones to locally sourced Hilton Head oyster shells.
“It’s wearing a little piece of home,” Dembeck said. “If they live here, or if they’re traveling, they’re taking a little piece of the Lowcountry home with them.”
Men frequently gravitate toward horsehair, feathers, and leather bands, along with hats that have been burned or distressed for a more rustic appearance. Women often choose a cleaner, polished look with more embellishment. The Brims team doesn’t follow specific rules; they simply go with what their customers enjoy. “We don’t judge if men want beads and bling,” Dembeck said. “We’re happy to do that.”
That freedom to experiment might be the best description of Brims on the Bluff.
The boutique welcomes women and men, children and grandparents, experienced hat collectors and first-timers. Brims also takes its signature experience on the road for corporate functions, weddings, private parties, and other off-site events.
What began with hats has grown into something broader: a place where shopping becomes an experience and personal style doesn’t have to fit neatly into one category.
At Brims on the Bluff, the goal is for customers to take their time, try something unexpected, and ultimately walk out feeling a little different than when they walked in. Or, as the team likes to call it, leave “brimmified.”
Because beyond the boots, turquoise, clothes, feathers, beads, and beautifully shaped hats, confidence might just be the most important thing the Brims on the Bluff team is helping its customers put on.