The Hatley Blog

Hatley gives back to the community

by Jeremy, posted May 17, 2012

At Hatley, we believe in giving back, especially in places where we have a presence in the community. One endeavour that we have taken on is an orphanage that is located near our biggest factory in Tirupur, India. This past February, we donated money to Mercy Orphanage in Erode which enabled them to buy a new roof, cement for their new building, and one month’s supply of food. We also donated clothing from our manufacturing facility in Tirupur. Svetlana, (our fantastic Production Manager) had the opportunity to visit the orphanage to see our donations at work.

Svetlana, our Production Manager, visits the Mercy Orphanage in Erode, near Tirupur, India.

Svetlana discovered the orphanage through a friend of hers in the U.K. and was able to make a visit there on February 25th. The orphanage is run by Mr. Paulraj and his wife Mercy. Mr. Paulraj was orphaned himself and finds it natural to continue on this humanitarian path. His wife is a child of an orphan and both her and her brother devote their lives to managing orphanages. Presently, the orphanage is situated in a rented space but the owner has asked them to move out and now they are building a new facility close by, with donations. They will be able to stay in their new location for at least 10 years. In such a predicament, their need for cement is equal to their need for food.

The kids at the orphanage enjoy a treat.

The orphanage houses a total of 42 children ranging from ages 5 – 14 years old. They have 2 wardens that look after them and 2 cooks. Svetlana did not feel any anxiety when she visited, as life there seems to be normal and happy. This was the biggest surprise to her as she expected misery and poverty and found simple balance and happiness. They have no TV or music or computer but they have their homework and each other to play with.

The living room is spacious and the big family passes their time here. At night boys place their mattresses and sleep in the same space. Inside there are two more small rooms, one is reserved for the girls to sleep in. There is a small standing kitchen, and further down the hall there are three shower cabins and two toilets. All very modest, but clean.

Everybody loves their new Hatley dresses, t-shirts, and PJ sets.

All of the children go to the governmental school. Mr and Mrs Paulraj, are both well-educated and speak English. They make sure that children attend their classes and help them with their homework. Education is their only way out from poverty and they know it.

The highlight of her trip was when they all gathered around a circle and sang one song in English and danced together (without any music!). It was such a pleasure sharing little moments with kids.

Summer is Almost Here! Is Your Camera Ready? [Giveaway]

by Kate, posted May 15, 2012

Summer is that perfect time between all the holidays where you have your kids all to yourself – a chance for you to make memorable family moments that really count. How many times you think back to your own childhood, and fondly recall those days spent with your favorite grandpa, or aunt? Besides Thanksgivings, Christmases, Passovers and Birthdays, which only come once a year, there are the long, hot days of summer, which mean only one thing – fun!

Being out in the sun all day, it’s no wonder kids get tan very quickly. Their hair lightens, their smiles brighten, and they probably look the healthiest and happiest during summertime. Armed with a digital camera, you will certainly have a ton of opportunity to take amazing new shots of your kids – running through a meadow, playing in the sand, feeding animals at the zoo. The trick is to keep your camera ready so that you don’t miss your chance at snapping a few pictures, or even taking a video at the right moment.

Hatley Nordic Bugs Girls' Skirt Set

Here are a few tips for taking good photos of your kids:

1. Work around your kids’ schedule. If they are tired and groggy, don’t force them to act happy – it won’t come out right. Just pay attention to see when they are at their best – maybe it’s after breakfast or lunch, or as soon as they get outside, or when they are first arriving at a friend’s house for a play-date. You’ll know the right time when you see it.

2. Take pictures from different angles – you don’t always have to have them looking up at the camera. You could be laying down, standing below a slide, of have them perched up in a tree while you take the photos.

3. Dress them up in cute summer play sets ahead of time, so they are camera-ready. Not that kids need to be camera-ready, with how cute they naturally are, but there is always some room for snazzy outfits. Imagine a little girl wearing an adorable Nordic Bugs Girls’ Skirt Set – how irresistible would that be?

4. Be spontaneous. Kids notice when the camera is on them, so be sure to observe them closely to capture their facial expressions without them noticing. That means eliminating flash photography…but that’s fine if you are outdoors, where there is plenty of natural light as it is.

5. Take photos in motion – when kids are running, jumping, twirling, dancing, or sliding. This is when their faces are lit with wild excitement and sweet innocence only a kid’s face can have. Oh, the precious moments!

There are really no rules to photographing children, except – be creative! Try a few things out and see what works, and remember to have fun while doing it. The kids will reflect your happiness, and you will get amazing new pictures out of this summer!

Watch this video to see our lady bug outfit in action:

And enter below for a chance to win this outfit for your little cutie patootie!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring into Hatley Rain Gear!!

by Tory, posted May 11, 2012

Rain, rain go away, come again another day! This has been my daughter’s theme song the last week as we have had nothing but rain. While dropping her off at daycare I noticed all the different rainwear the kids had hanging on their hooks. I must say her Hatley raingear blew the competition away. Yes, of course I am biased, but that doesn’t negate the facts: apart from the obvious of having the cutest patterns, Hatley rain coats have a terry lining, which is not only soft to the touch but perfect for cooler rainy days, and allows their skin to breathe. Hatley rain boots come with handles which makes it a little easier for little ones to put on their boots and they also have an arch support built in. Rain coats and boots are all 100% PVC free. The youth raincoats are a little longer in the torso and come with a detachable hood. Last but not least this raingear is built to last. So everyone wins with Hatley raingear; kids are happy and comfy in cute rain gear and parents have sound of mind knowing that the products are made well and made to last. This is one of my favourites:

Which raincoat is your favourite?

Make a Splash this Summer with Our New Trunks!

by Kate, posted May 9, 2012

When you ask a man what he likes about his swim trunks, he will gladly tell you… And his answer will be: “They allow me to swim without being naked!” This is the honest truth – men just want to have something comfortable to wear to the pool or beach, and are satisfied with having one or two swim trunks to last them all summer long. The answer, certainly, would be different if you asked a woman.

Maybe your man is proud of his hot beach bod, and is looking for some swim trunks that would show off his good looks…but for most men, it’s safe to say, swim trunks do just that – provide a good alternative to underwear, and give enough coverage when soaking wet.

Hatley Blue Whales Men's Swim Trunks

It’s funny how women today mostly wear body-hugging bikinis and bathing suits, whereas men prefer a looser alternative. You won’t see many of them sporting Speedos around, unless they are a professional swimmer, bodybuilder, play water sports, or surf. In those instances, tight swim briefs have virtually no hindrance, while providing an excellent fit and unparalleled flexibility. In all other cases, men gravitate toward what they know best…swim trunks that are as comfortable as their regular boxers, but are a lot sturdier in terms of coverage when they come out of the water.

So, another summer is upon us and it’s time to shop for new swimwear. Well, Hatley’s got you covered! (Pun totally intended!) Check out our Blue Whales Men’s Swim Trunks – they are soft on the outside, and come with standard mesh lining on the inside. They are just the perfect length to give you enough coverage, and not make you feel like you are wearing baggy shorts. Oh, and did we mention that the design is quite manly?

Our board-style swim trunks are made of polyester microfiber fabric, which dries fast on a hot summer day. With a tie-string waist and velcro pockets, these are sure to become a favorite addition to your man’s summer wardrobe.

Mother’s Day – Collection of Special Gifts

by Kate, posted May 7, 2012

One of the world’s greatest pleasures is being a mom. Having kids changes you forever – you now have someone to watch over, to protect, and love – completely and unconditionally. No wonder we have a day set aside each year to celebrate it!

Mother’s Day is ingrained in us since childhood – when we carefully construct gifts for our moms out of colored paper, glue, and crayons. Under the guide of our classroom teacher, we labor over the card that we are making for mom, making sure that it looks better than everyone else’s – after all, our mom is the most special mom of all!

Each year Mother’s Day rolls around and makes you think back to your childhood, reminding you of how special your mom is – even now that you’re all grown up, and may even have kids of your own. She is always there for you – the one person in the world that will never leave you alone, no matter what…the ultimate friend who puts you ahead of everything else, including herself.

Having such a special relationship deserves a special celebration! Of course, you can send you mom flowers, or a simple card, but it would be even better to send her something that will last a while, that she will really enjoy. Hatley is celebrating this special holiday with our carefully hand-picked collection of Mother’s Day gifts that your mom will love.

Hatley One Of A Kind Women's Fitted Tee

Imagine giving your mom one of our One Of A Kind Women’s Fitted Tee – it is made of soft cotton, and sends a cute message of affection. She’ll enjoy wearing it this summer, and telling her friends that you got it for her.

Now through May 13th, get free shipping on our Mother’s Day collection of select items, and with every purchase of over $75, you get a free pair of women’s socks – one of our unique Hatley designs. Surprise your mom with a beautiful gift from Hatley – she’s sure to love it!

Get Mom Something She Really Wants!

by Tory, posted May 4, 2012

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, why not let Hatley help you find the perfect gift? We have added some beautiful new garments to the Women’s Collection, one of my favourite being the fuchsia wrap:

Hatley Fuschia Women's Wrap

This wrap is the perfect Spring/Summer accessory! The bright colour suits just about any skin tone and will brighten up any drab outfit, or give that splash of colour you were looking for. It is made out of slub jersey so it is super soft, and it travels well. The wrap comes with a hand-braided rope belt which can be used to keep it closed, but is equally cute left open. It is available in three other colours and pairs nicely with either the Hatley linen shorts or linen pants (capris) :