The Cap Faction

[Marc Chevalier]

So I've worked up an interest in flat caps and was wondering about sizing. I'm a size 6 7/8 or 7 in fedoras and so I think a medium would work. Do flat caps typically shrink a tad similar to many fedoras? Would it be better to buy slightly big than slightly small? Thanks!

I'd say better to buy slightly small, especially if your cap's sweatband is made of cloth rather than leather. Slightly small caps can stretch, but slightly large ones can't easily be reduced.

 

[m0nk]

I'd say better to buy slightly small, especially if your cap's sweatband is made of cloth rather than leather. Slightly small caps can stretch, but slightly large ones can't easily be reduced.

Excellent, thank you! The sweat is cloth, so I have now placed the order with the small size.

 

[alanfgag]

British capper

Houndstooth cap with nice proportions...no maker markings, older looking brass Prym snap, British size tag. Seller guessed 1960s... could be right?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

.
:eusa_clap That's a great one, Alan! The colors are fantastic, too.

And it's a safe bet that you didn't pay this price: www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-40s-50s-Roll-It-Newsboy-Cap-7-Hat-/220935481563

 

[brothelcreeper]

What do you all think of this line from Boardwalk Empire, as said to Al Capone:

"You are a man, yet you wear the cap of a boy."

 

[Marc Chevalier]

What do you all think of this line from Boardwalk Empire, as said to Al Capone:

"You are a man, yet you wear the cap of a boy."

Don't know. Flat caps were the caps of men who did manual work and/or did things in the countryside: shooting, hiking, golfing, driving, etc. Flat caps weren't meant to be worn while engaged in white-collar work.

 

[alanfgag]

.
:eusa_clap That's a great one, Alan! The colors are fantastic, too.

And it's a safe bet that you didn't pay this price: www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-40s-50s-Roll-It-Newsboy-Cap-7-Hat-/220935481563

Thanks Marc! I'm happy with the fabric and form on this one and very happy with the $20 cost. Construction and pattern matching are well executed too.

 

[alanfgag]

What do you all think of this line from Boardwalk Empire, as said to Al Capone:

"You are a man, yet you wear the cap of a boy."

One reaches a point in life when one replies to this with a "thank you!"

 

[Marc Chevalier]

... pattern matching [is] well executed.

VERY well executed. Much better matched than on most vintage '20s-'30s caps I've seen.

 

[Adnamira]

Excellent, thank you! The sweat is cloth, so I have now placed the order with the small size.

Eek, I hate caps or hats that are too tight. Gives me a headache, and apparently tight hats can contribute to baldness. A little snug maybe alright if it has some stretch, but there are a number of newsboy brands that go up in small increments and you can get pretty close to the right size.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

A little snug maybe alright if it has some stretch, ...

It's pretty easy to stretch a cap that has a cloth sweatband. Just use some steam. It helps to use a hat stretcher.

 

[Matt Deckard]

It's about time caps were at their proper price of 300 dollars and above!

I've known for a long time that the lower ruffian class wasn't meant to wear floppy wool caps.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

It's about time caps were at their proper price of 300 dollars and above!

eBay sellers (like me) would agree with you.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I once found a cap in good condition that had an adjustable size sweatband, which was made of cloth as I recall,...brand name was Jiffy. Didn't buy it though as the price was fairly high.
Was that a true vintage brand, or more modern and generic? Did I maybe miss out on a rare find? :eusa_doh:

 

[Adnamira]

It's about time caps were at their proper price of 300 dollars and above!

I've known for a long time that the lower ruffian class wasn't meant to wear floppy wool caps.

If a ruffian likes your cap, he probably won't offer to pay you anything for it.

 

[Mario]

eBay sellers (like me) would agree with you.

As someone who usually only buys from the 'Bay I strongly disagree - but that of course changes as soon as I decide to feed some stuff back into the market... One has to keep his views on things very flexible these days.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Yes only the Dandy class should wear caps. Ruffians should not be allowed to purchase them.

I also hope that we will see better repo's of vintage caps also due to high prices in vintage ones.

 

[Adnamira]

You probably won't approve of the rest of my attire, as I am more ruffian than dandy - that and I've spent all my money on custom guitars and microphones - and my amateur musical skills and atrocious singing might grate (turn off the sound if you need to), but a mate told me that my Zasu cap I am wearing in this is hideous and I should send it back. I can't understand why, other than I've pulled it down to the side, and maybe that way of wearing it doesn't suit me... but I love this cap - it's big. What's your opinion?

[video=youtube;OIurE1dwxUk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIurE1dwxUk[/video]

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Not Bad on the music. The cap just fix the woky button a needle and thread will work to tie it down and at look like a small in the orbit of your Zusu cap.

 

[Adnamira]

Thanks. I notice the difference between the hp and zasu cap is the hp has like a rivet button, where-as the Zasu button is like a loop of metal. Maybe I can squash the loop or something. I like the feel of the cap though. Kind of feel secure under that big brim - can hide under it I haven't been able to do that flop to one side successfuly with any other newsboy I own.