NEWS BOY CAPS

[Zombie_61]

What makes a quality new boy cap?

I'm no expert, but in my opinion the quality comes in the construction and materials used. I've seen some Newsboy caps that looked like they were assembled by someone who was still learning how to sew--uneven panels, seams that were "bunched up", brims that were offset (i.e., not properly centered on the front of the cap). If you read through some of the Newsboy/Flat Cap threads you'll see quite a few vendors mentioned repeatedly such as Hat People and B! Wear. I've never purchased from B! Wear myself because I don't particularly like the narrower brims they use, but they have quite a few fans here who praise their comfort and construction. I can vouch for the quality of Hat People's caps; I have two currently, and will likely purchase more from them in the future.

I thought I read something about the number of panels. What about the material. It looks like wool is common.

The crown of a traditional Newsboy cap is comprised of eight panels, usually topped with a button where the seams intersect at the top of the crown. Wool is quite common, but I've also seen linen, cotton, denim, and leather used frequently. I would imagine just about any durable material could be used as a matter of personal preference. Satin and cotton seem to be the most common for the liner material.

As for the shape...well, as this thread illustrates, that's also a matter of personal preference. Some, like Marc Chevalier, prefer the more traditional "flat" look, and I think that shape suits him (and many others) very well. I prefer the more modern "floppy/saggy" look myself.

You might also consider looking at "Ivy" caps, another popular style of flat cap. Similar to Newsboy caps, they're generally a bit flatter and narrower. I suggest this only because I have a very good friend I've known for nearly 40 years now, and we both agree Ivy caps suit him better than Newsboy caps; conversely, we also agree Newsboy caps suit me better than Ivy caps.

Above all else, I would suggest you visit a hat shop to try on different styles and colors of flat caps to see which work best for you before making a "blind" purchase online. Speaking from personal experience, any cap can look good in a photo; whether or not it looks as good on your head can be a different matter.

 

[Pinesiw]

Brown and grey tweeds from cowncap:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...7_100003897247088_12325_1530383634_n.jpg?dl=1
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...100000063132344_1615340_2095617890_n.jpg?dl=1
http://crowncap.com/catalog/product/pure-wool-ivy-cap/

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I think you posted this in the main cap thread the cap faction.

Here are your pictures.

 

[Pinesiw]

Yes! Thought i'd share here aswell, not sure if anyone followed both threads.
Newsboys have 8 panels with a button? What are the caps without the button on the brim? Look more like a fishermans. Spitfire?

 

[Johnny J]

I think you posted this in the main cap thread the cap faction.

Here are your pictures.

Those Crown Caps look pretty cool!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Yes! Thought i'd share here aswell, not sure if anyone followed both threads.
Newsboys have 8 panels with a button? What are the caps without the button on the brim? Look more like a fishermans. Spitfire?

Most just call them flat caps. We talk a lot about caps in the cap faction thread. I am interested in all types of caps though I do love the 8 dart French cap which retro sport makes as in is a 20's style that is not made
by major cap manufactors today.

 

[Dinerman]

I just bought three 1930s flat caps for patterns. One is pretty shot, two are tiny sizes that I'll size up- so nothing super valuable will be harmed in the process. One is one of those eight-dart one-piece caps. Pretty cool.

If all goes well, by summer, expect to see some authentic '30s repros showing up on ebay.

The caps.

 

[seabass]

Dinerman,
Go for it !
7 1/4 right here waiting !

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Great fabrics on the first two, Dinerman!

bk

 

[Dinerman]

Just finished the pattern from the solid colored one. Each panel of the 8 panel is different, but I'm trying to figure out if that's a function of the pattern, or just of sloppy cutting 70 years ago. Going from the stitching and quality of materials on that one, I'm thinking just sloppy.

Kind of hate using those first two for patterns- the fabric is so nice, and they're both deadstock. But the sizes are so small- 6-1/2 and 6-5/8, there's no resale value on them.

 

[HatsWV]

I to would be interested in purchasing a cap when your efforts are complete.

 

[zetwal]

If all goes well, by summer, expect to see some authentic '30s repros showing up on ebay.

Cool indeed. Will you be making them personally?

 

[Dinerman]

I will. Working on sourcing vintage fabric and all the appropriate hardware. I guess we'll see how they turn out and how long it takes to fine tune things.

 

[Dinerman]

And what material is in the brim of this original 1930s cap? The most exotic, high priced one available- cardboard.

Read more here.

 

[Feraud]

Great news Dinerman! I'm looking forward to see what you come up with.

 

[zetwal]

I will. Working on sourcing vintage fabric and all the appropriate hardware. I guess we'll see how they turn out and how long it takes to fine tune things.

Sounds great. I look forward to hearing and seeing how it goes ... :yo:

 

[seabass]

My custom caps use leather for the brim, But that also boosts the price.
It would be cool to see whats in expensive caps of that period. That cap is probably a Survivor of the Depression Years

 

[Dinerman]

The tweed ones were more expensive originally. I'll be opening them up later this week, so we'll see. Feels like it may be some sort of leather in one of them from the way it flexes.

 

[seabass]

D-Man
Nice Blog's !
& Good Work there its always a intrest to me & others the Hat Making Process.
But even Here F L when it comes to Caps sorta rare to see this aspect of Cap Making, etc.

 

[Dinerman]

Another 1930s cap of mine that I wear was deadstock with all the tags on it when I got it. There was a tag on the brim snap that said the brim was "genuine rubber". We'll see what I find when I open the next ones up, but I may buy some 1/8" sheet rubber for brims.
I'm debating sweatbands. Originals had so many ways of handling it. Full leather, half leather/half cloth, half-leather/half liner, satin covered belting, liner-as-sweatband. And linings- there were taped seams, removable crown linings, crown tips, full linings. So many things to decide.