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b!wear Newsboy

Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
I just discovered that this hatter (capper?) is 1/4 mile away on the same road from where I work. I never would have guessed that this little community would have a hatter. I think I’m obligated to get one...the prices are sure reasonable. I recall that @RJR has a few of these caps.

http://mariposa.yosemite.net/bwear/

Now to chose one (they are available standard or in a fuller cut with a larger bill).

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Seersucker!
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And get this:
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Last edited:
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Very well known newsboy company for years on this forum.

I knew it had been around for a long time (I posted it to an old thread). ;)
As far as being well-known, they aren’t showing up much in the hat threads. I don’t know when I’ve seen one in the What Cap Are You Wearing Today thread. The proprietor is a member but hasn’t posted for years.

I never said it was a new company or an obscure one, just that I didn’t realize he was in my own backyard. I’ve even spoken to him in the past without knowing he makes caps. They seem to be well-reviewed other than some fitting issues that I hope I can avoid by stopping by his workshop to ensure fit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
I just discovered that this hatter (capper?) is 1/4 mile away on the same road from where I work. I never would have guessed that this little community would have a hatter. I think I’m obligated to get one...the prices are sure reasonable. I recall that @RJR has a few of these caps.

http://mariposa.yosemite.net/bwear/

Now to chose one (they are available standard or in a fuller cut with a larger bill).

3b1a8f7e51bbf40e093df9b4b0beda6a.png


c87647f5474c72b6b1d9dda42d74bb56.png


f7034fe927241cb67411aa7c9cd9197a.png


6cd00636cffa76826689965c072a5b12.png


Seersucker!
719cc681361443d9a0e7fb7ec4d5e37f.png


a3ffd5d2f46caaca83cf7eb5ee242871.png


983357bb4c2e6b0d54d1888100bee60b.png


7c3b25cbf2601f3d65ba30e832ca8bbc.png


afe33ecb095cad2754ee9d6e1aafb601.png


51788632025d5389280cbf9a82f0ea34.png


4f5598f878bad5ca7630e626069e94ca.png


71b418aa1ba21c85036a9fb166a7af52.png


And get this:
48352931e26f77756afc3158a6d4fba9.png
Your memory is good;I have several of Brett's caps.He'll do team colors and customs within reason. Cap-B!Wear-Cyclone 1.jpg Cap-B!Wear-Custom linen & leather 2.jpg
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
This thread needs a bump.

Today I met with Brett Stiles, the man behind the B! Wear Cap Company. He’s a delightful individual with a great life story. He’s been making caps since the 1970s and once made them on a wholesale basis. He brought over three completed caps, sweatband options, and material swatches. I paid for a cap and now have to decide on material. I didn’t see any of his stock fabrics that were exactly what I wanted, but he’ll make hats out of buyer’s supplies fabrics too. I was also convinced to try his suede sweatband over smooth leather. I went with the fullest cut and now I need to take my wife to the fabric store...how the worm has turned.

Brett’s caps are not intended to compete with some of the more finely made caps seen here, but they are solid and true to their blue collar roots (the prices are nice as well).

http://mariposa.yosemite.net/bwear/
 

Hat and Rehat

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,444
Location
Denver
I knew it had been around for a long time (I posted it to an old thread). ;)
As far as being well-known, they aren’t showing up much in the hat threads. I don’t know when I’ve seen one in the What Cap Are You Wearing Today thread. The proprietor is a member but hasn’t posted for years.

I never said it was a new company or an obscure one, just that I didn’t realize he was in my own backyard. I’ve even spoken to him in the past without knowing he makes caps. They seem to be well-reviewed other than some fitting issues that I hope I can avoid by stopping by his workshop to ensure fit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
California privilege.

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
I didn’t like any of the materials I saw so I made a trip to a thrift store and located a minty Harris Tweed sports coat with purples, greens, and blues. Two days later my cap was completed. I went with the fullest cut and wasn’t disappointed with the results. Care was taken to match the pattern in the Tweed and the build quality is great. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting all the attention to detail for the price. The skills developed in over 40 years of cap making are in full evidence, and the cap is a real bargain at $50! Best yet, I was able to spend a couple hours with Brett Stiles (the hatter) and maybe five minutes was spent on caps. What a great guy with a great story. This won’t be my last cap from The B! Wear Cap Company.

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The cost is the same if you supply the material or if you choose from what Brett has in stock. Seeing how plentiful and cheap old sports coats are (mine was less than $4 at a thrift store), and Brett will deconstruct the coat for you, you really can get some amazing patterns and colors.

http://mariposa.yosemite.net/bwear/




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
My latest B!Ware cap. I ordered it Wednesday and it was delivered Saturday! Brett (owner/maker) doesn’t usually make caps with a brim this long, but accommodated my request. It’s linen, but it’s no lightweight. It’s similar in weight to his wool caps. I was hoping for something gauzy and light for summer wear. I think it’s going to be too substantial for hot weather wear. The build quality is great and the fit is perfect. Can’t beat a custom made cap for $45!

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Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
I love that long bill. Gto a B!Wear somewhere, was my first eight panel. One detail I really liked in it was the wire in the edge of the peak, which allowed it to be shaped.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
A recent visit to a thrift store looking for vintage hats ended up with me ordering another cap from Brett. While at the thrift store, I saw a great looking sport coat in a light colored and light weight 60/40 wool and silk blend. The coat set me back $4 :)
I emailed Brett and was trying to arrange a meet when I saw him out for a stroll and ended having a 45 minute discussion on the side of the road. Brett said he’s slowed down a lot making caps, but he’s still willing to take on a new build. Hope to have the cap within a few days.

The caps are great, but don’t cheat yourself out of a long conversation with Brett.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Very nice, Brent. Does he make an "airy" summer cap?


Thanks, Randy. I haven’t seen an airy cap from him yet. My linen cap from him is very substantial. A couple years ago I bought a couple yards of pale green light weight linen to be turned into a cap, but Brett said he couldn’t use it. I think his repertoire is pretty limited.
 

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