Crush Cap as Daily Wear?

[T Jones]

Here's my favorite cap. I wore it to a local event sometime back.

 

[Joe45]

Greek fisherman cap

I like those too. Thanks.
But I want one with a leather visor and more like the captain in King Kong or like Jake's in Tales of the Gold Monkey.
I ordered the Elvis one, in khaki, as it looks pretty much the same as the captain one. I will likely get the olive/brown one from US Wings for colder weather, and remove the insignia etc. Seems like the one Jake wears still has the front bolster-or whatever its called, to keep the front a little up. I may remove that as well.

 

[Joe45]

FYI, there's already a big thread on Sterkowski caps here that's probably worth a look:

sterkowski caps

Has anyone ever bought a hat or cap from Sterkowski, in Poland? I've recently see some eastern European style caps on Amazon from them that look mighty fine. I'm primarily interested in how close their sizing is (is a size 57 Euro actually that size? Larger? Smaller?)

www.thefedoralounge.com

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[Joe45]

Here's my favorite cap. I wore it to a local event sometime back.

LOL!
Do you have a better picture of it? Where you got it? Seems like a typical "naval captain's cap", which would also be good to have.

 

[T Jones]

LOL!
Do you have a better picture of it? Where you got it? Seems like a typical "naval captain's cap", which would also be good to have.

Actually, the hat is just a computer drawing I did.

Here's the real hat...

 

[Joe45]

Well I ordered two of the Sterkowski crush caps: a fabric one for spring/summer and a wool one for fall/winter.

They are very well made!
I ordered on the generous size, since I'd rather a hat be a little loose instead of even a little tight.
My only wish is that the lining was not sewn to the headband. This prevents inserting a little foam or whatever spacer to help it fit better.

I can either stick some thin leather or fabric to the inside using double sided tape, or make a little cut in the lining to allow insertion of a spacer. This cut can then be either stitched back up or left open, with a little sewn border, to facilitate late adaptations.

However, that has nothing to do with the quality which, again, is excellent.
The stitching is perfect and excellent wool and "canvas" on the hats.
The wool one doesn't crush as much or as easily as the fabric cap: obviously since the wool is denser. But no wig deal. I may store it on a dummy head with some earphones on to maybe give it a memory.

AWESOME!

I REALLY like these hats!!!

If you're thinking about these hats, give them a try. Very good!

Here are a couple of pics I took for the fun of it...

Since it's warmer now, I wore the fabric one out already. If anyone asks, I am the captain of a ship going to warn King Kong of the incoming a-holes.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Well I ordered two of the Sterkowski crush caps: a fabric one for spring/summer and a wool one for fall/winter.

They are very well made!
I ordered on the generous size, since I'd rather a hat be a little loose instead of even a little tight.
My only wish is that the lining was not sewn to the headband. This prevents inserting a little foam or whatever spacer to help it fit better.

I can either stick some thin leather or fabric to the inside using double sided tape, or make a little cut in the lining to allow insertion of a spacer. This cut can then be either stitched back up or left open, with a little sewn border, to facilitate late adaptations.

However, that has nothing to do with the quality which, again, is excellent.
The stitching is perfect and excellent wool and "canvas" on the hats.
The wool one doesn't crush as much or as easily as the fabric cap: obviously since the wool is denser. But no wig deal. I may store it on a dummy head with some earphones on to maybe give it a memory.

AWESOME!

I REALLY like these hats!!!

If you're thinking about these hats, give them a try. Very good!

Here are a couple of pics I took for the fun of it...

View attachment 616719 View attachment 616720 View attachment 616721
Since it's warmer now, I wore the fabric one out already. If anyone asks, I am the captain of a ship going to warn King Kong of the incoming a-holes.
View attachment 616723 View attachment 616724

Fantastic photos and thanks for the write-up. I can''t believe they sew the liner to the sweatband - thanks for the warning!

I ended up purchasing a very new but used Stetson newsboy in silk off eBay. It should be a $90 hat and I got it for $30 all in. An excellent addition to my summer collection, as I hope yours is for you.

So you know the way to Kong Island?

 

[Zombie_61]

Thanks.
Says they're made in Poland. They seem to be good quality.
I will post a review when I get it.

I have a few of Sterkowski's flat caps (i.e., "Ivy" and "Newsboy" caps), and I like them. The lighter weight "linen" cap I have is a bit too light for my tastes--it doesn't quite want to stay put when I wear it, and shifts position regularly--but the others are excellent value for the price. I don't have a "crusher" cap yet, but I'm now considering it.

 

[Joe45]

Fantastic photos and thanks for the write-up. I can''t believe they sew the liner to the sweatband - thanks for the warning!

I ended up purchasing a very new but used Stetson newsboy in silk off eBay. It should be a $90 hat and I got it for $30 all in. An excellent addition to my summer collection, as I hope yours is for you.

So you know the way to Kong Island?

Thank you!

Yeah I am going to message them about the liner/hatband sewing. Also, it would be nice to have a fabric/tan version with a light brown bill.
But the hats really are good quality.

 

[Joe45]

So you know the way to Kong Island?

As far as Kong Island, for the safety of all, I plead the fifth!!!

 

[Joe45]

I have a few of Sterkowski's flat caps (i.e., "Ivy" and "Newsboy" caps), and I like them. The lighter weight "linen" cap I have is a bit too light for my tastes--it doesn't quite want to stay put when I wear it, and shifts position regularly--but the others are excellent value for the price. I don't have a "crusher" cap yet, but I'm now considering it.

They are really nice crusher caps. The bill seems a bit shorter than the military ones, but that's fine. They have, for me, sort of that captain from the 1930's steamship vibe.

 

[rogueclimber]

be nice to have a fabric/tan version with a light brown bill.

Like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/322153768084?

 

[Joe45]

Like this?

View attachment 616767

https://www.ebay.com/itm/322153768084?

Yeah more or less. Those are a stiffer style. They are nice as well, but I would like to see the lighter bill on the same kind I got.
Thanks

 

[Edward]

As far as Kong Island, for the safety of all, I plead the fifth!!!
View attachment 616782
View attachment 616757

These look great. Plenty of body in the crown to get that pre-war oomph, so often missing in modern caps.

They are really nice crusher caps. The bill seems a bit shorter than the military ones, but that's fine. They have, for me, sort of that captain from the 1930's steamship vibe.

Slightly so, yes. The ones based on a fisherman style and the motorcycle style ones, the originals did have a smaller bill than milspec too. I wonder if they evolved that way because the larger bill could be more easily cught by the wind (off the sea, or the rush of air oveer a speeding bike) and whip it of, never to be seen again?

 

[vintagewool]

View attachment 616721

Gentlemen, place your bets for the Joe45 vs. Edward G. Robinson staring contest.

The Sea Wolf (1941)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034162/

 

[Joe45]

These look great. Plenty of body in the crown to get that pre-war oomph, so often missing in modern caps.




Slightly so, yes. The ones based on a fisherman style and the motorcycle style ones, the originals did have a smaller bill than milspec too. I wonder if they evolved that way because the larger bill could be more easily cught by the wind (off the sea, or the rush of air oveer a speeding bike) and whip it of, never to be seen again?

Makes sense about the wind. Could also be the military wanted a certain look/design.
Whatever the reason was, they both look good to me.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

So this is the Sterkowski model that I’ve been eyeing - this is the “Vigo” in linen. There were only two left in stock at Amazon when I looked this morning so I finally pulled the trigger. Supposed to deliver on Wednesday.

I anticipate having to stitch the crown to the brim.

 

[Joe45]

So this is the Sterkowski model that I’ve been eyeing - this is the “Vigo” in linen. There were only two left in stock at Amazon when I looked this morning so I finally pulled the trigger. Supposed to deliver on Wednesday.

I anticipate having to stitch the crown to the brim.

View attachment 616877 View attachment 616878

Nice looking newsboy! I have a "newsboy" or golf hat (?) with the more modern shape, and a newsboy with the more substantial top, like the one above I prefer the older look like above!

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Nice looking newsboy! I have a "newsboy" or golf hat (?) with the more modern shape, and a newsboy with the more substantial top, like the one above I prefer the older look like above!

Yes, I want the more substantial top as well - I’m just concerned that it will be super floppy. I’ll report back though - it certainly looks like the style I want.

 

[Edward]

Yes, I want the more substantial top as well - I’m just concerned that it will be super floppy. I’ll report back though - it certainly looks like the style I want.

Worth giving it a go to let it settle first. I have a couple of caps like that where the crown sits remarkably well pulled down in front like a regular eight panel. Not stitched down gives it the option of a look a bit more like the crusher / Brando type caps as well. I like the flexibility. One option might be to install a stud fastener instead of sewing the crown to the brim, that way you can keep it tacked down if you prefer, but the option to wear it otherwise remains available.