A tradition of excellence in British cap manufacturing

About Try & Lilly

At Try & Lilly our aim is to be the world’s best cap and hat maker. Ever since we were founded in 1864, Try & Lilly has been a success story in British manufacturing. For over 150 years, we have developed the skills of our craft, investing in our employees and the community here in Liverpool.

We have continually updated our equipment and adapted our outlook, designing innovative new products that succeed on the global market. Never compromising on quality, we make the finest caps and hats for our customers – it’s that simple.

Try & Lilly remains a family business, and those values are at the heart of our company. Just as we provide great headwear for those who serve their communities, at Try & Lilly we are retaining skills and employment in our community, innovating and carrying our success on into the 21st century, and beyond.

Our values

  • Preserve

    the traditional skills of the British hat-making industry, develop our craft and take it forward into the 21st century.

  • Protect

    the livelihoods of our employees, suppliers and people in our community, just as our caps protect their wearers from the weather and hazards they face at work.

  • Provide

    the highest quality service for our customers. Whether you have a small order or require thousands of units, our bespoke service is second to none.

  • Prosper

    and continually move the business forwards, staying ahead of the fashion and technology in our market and meeting the needs of our clients.

A rich history in hat-making

Back in 1864, Alexander Legge began making uniform caps and tweed headwear in Hanover Street, Liverpool. The company that would later become Try & Lilly thrived by producing caps for the British merchant fleet. Seamen on nearly every steamship line wore Try & Lilly caps, spreading the name around the world.

Meanwhile, in 1867, Walker, Ashworth & Linney was founded in Denton, Manchester and established a reputation for fine felt and tweed gentlemen’s hats. In 1912, the company became Linney Headwear Ltd, and later on it became part of Try & Lilly.

In 1958, the Jennions bought Try & Lilly running it as a family business and developing it into a leading manufacturer of caps for police forces, the MoD, airlines, corporate clothing suppliers and military services around the world. Our company has manufactured in Liverpool throughout its history and today we are situated in the city's Fabric District.