Bill Conner was the first to make an Australian leather hat with a shapeable brim. To this day, his iconic designs are known and loved worldwide. Bill Conner’s hats (BC Hats) are all hand made in Byron Bay, Australia. Each one is created with a keen attention to both craft and detail.
Start with the material and silhouette you want. Choose the BC Hats Bac Pac Traveller Oily Leather or Bac Pac Traveller Suede Australian Leather Hat for a classic Australian leather look, while the Cool as a Breeze Australian Leather Hat offers another leather option. For a lighter canvas-based choice, compare the Cool as a Breeze Canvas Mesh Beige Aussie Hat with the Cool as a Breeze Canvas Ladies Hat. The Streetwise Leather Fedora is the collection’s more traditional fedora-shaped option.
Use the available sizes—Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large—to select the closest fit shown for the product. For care, follow the guidance for the specific material: leather and suede need leather-appropriate care, while canvas and mesh should be treated according to their product instructions. Check each product page for its exact style and available size.
Bill Conner created Australia's original leather hat with a shapeable brim in 1969, revolutionizing the Australian hat industry with lightweight leather construction that allowed wearers to customize the brim shape. In 1993, he received the Small Business Exporter of the Year Award from the Australian government for bringing this innovation to the world stage.
Bill manufactured his BC Hats in Byron Bay for 50 years before retiring in 2020. Production has permanently ceased. Conner Hats holds the only remaining inventory of authentic BC Hats in the world. Each hat is handmade using Bill's original construction methods—oily waterproof leather, hand-stitched details, and the signature shapeable brim that made BC Hats famous after the 1986 release of Crocodile Dundee.
Unlike modern Conner Hats (designed by Bill's son Will and manufactured globally), BC Hats are:
Only 2–4 BC Hat styles remain in limited sizes:
Once current inventory sells out, authentic Bill Conner BC Hats will only be available secondhand.
BC Hats are the original handmade leather hats created by Bill Conner in Byron Bay, Australia from 1969-2020. Conner Hats is the broader brand founded by Bill's son Will, offering hundreds of hat styles made from sustainable materials worldwide. BC Hats represent Bill's personal craftsmanship legacy—each one handmade in his Byron Bay workshop using techniques he developed over 50 years. Only BC Hats feature the original shapeable leather brim construction that earned Bill the 1993 Small Business Exporter of the Year Award from the Australian government.
No. Bill Conner retired in 2020 and permanently closed his Byron Bay workshop. The BC Hats available through Conner Hats represent the final inventory—no additional hats will be produced. Will Conner (Bill's son) acquired the remaining stock to preserve his father's legacy. Once these hats sell out, authentic BC Hats will only be available through secondhand markets.
BC Hats are one of the few hat brands increasing in value because production has permanently ceased and Bill Conner's 50-year legacy is documented. His innovation—creating Australia's first leather hat with a shapeable brim—influenced the entire Australian hat industry. BC Hats gained international recognition after appearing in the 1986 film *Crocodile Dundee*, and in 1988 became the official hat of the Brisbane World Expo. Limited remaining inventory combined with historical significance makes BC Hats collectible items rather than just functional headwear.
Bill Conner's shapeable brim innovation allows you to manually shape and hold the leather brim in your preferred position—turned up, turned down, curved, or flat. The oily steer hide leather used in BC Hats is flexible enough to mold by hand but holds its shape through wear. This was revolutionary in 1969 when most leather hats had stiff, fixed brims. You can customize the look to suit your face shape and style preference, and the brim retains that shape until you reshape it.
BC Hats use oily waterproof leather that improves with age and requires minimal maintenance. For regular care: brush off dust with a soft cloth, allow the hat to air dry if wet (never use direct heat), and store away from direct sunlight. The oily finish naturally repels water—you don't need to apply conditioners or waterproofing treatments. If the leather feels dry after years of use, apply a small amount of leather conditioner designed for oily leather. The crushable design means you can pack BC Hats flat for travel; they'll return to their original shape when you pop the crown back out.
Availability varies by style and changes as inventory sells. The Bac Pac Traveller is currently available in Small through XX-Large (limited quantities in X-Large and XX-Large). The Cool as a Breeze Canvas Mesh Hat is available in Small through XX-Large. Check individual product pages for real-time size availability. Conner Hats cannot restock sold-out sizes because production has ended.
The Bac Pac Traveller styles are the collection’s travel-focused options by name: choose between oily leather and suede Australian leather. If you prefer a canvas-based design, the Cool as a Breeze Canvas Mesh Beige Aussie Hat is another option to compare. Review each product page for its available sizes and material-specific details.
Yes. The collection includes men’s and women’s options, including Aussie hats, fedoras, and a specifically named Cool as a Breeze Canvas Ladies Hat. Because the styles and materials differ, compare the product names and photographs to find the shape that best matches your intended look.
Bill Conner retired in 2020. The available BC Hats collection is therefore remaining stock from his handmade Byron Bay production, rather than a currently expanding line. This limited availability is one reason shoppers interested in the original designs may choose to purchase while their preferred style and size are available.
| Material | Sun Protection | Water Resistance | Breathability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Cotton | UPF 50+ | Low (dries slowly) | Excellent | Hot weather, comfort priority |
| Recycled Polyester | UPF 50+ | High (quick-dry) | Very Good | Offshore, wet conditions |
| Hemp | Natural UV resistance | Moderate | Excellent | Eco-conscious anglers, all-day wear |
| Weathered Cotton | UPF 40+ | Moderate (treated) | Good | Casual fishing, broken-in feel |
| Oilskin/Waxed Cotton | UPF 30+ | Excellent (waterproof) | Low | Rain, cold weather fishing |
