MisplacedHillbilly
One of the Regulars
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My most commonly worn peice of headgear, my cotton Botvela cap. Faded,sweat stained,paint stained even a bit of blood. Worn most days of the week, all year round.
I'm no expert, the following are my simple observations/experience:A couple of questions for the bulbous 8-panel & 8-dart cap enthusiasts: how do you learn to drape them to appear naturally? Do you use any steam or stiffener to help hold the drape? Iron out wrinkles? Preference for linen or wool to work with or wear other than the time of yr?
It does, Rick. Thank you!So there you have it! I hope this helps HJ.
Wait a minute. Did you just take a swipe at Sir Mix-A-Lot???...Then I gradually started going with a bigger crown. Now I really really like big crowns (I can't deny)...
Awesome well loved cap!My most commonly worn peice of headgear, my cotton Botvela cap. Faded,sweat stained,paint stained even a bit of blood. Worn most days of the week, all year round. View attachment 620847 View attachment 620848
A couple of questions for the bulbous 8-panel & 8-dart cap enthusiasts: how do you learn to drape them to appear naturally? Do you use any steam or stiffener to help hold the drape? Iron out wrinkles? Preference for linen or wool to work with or wear other than the time of yr?
Really nice, excellent shade of blue! Is that a denim?Saturday's cap.
Eric -
Nice post filled with detail & useful info, Eric! Thanks for the reply.Jack terrific wisdom passed from others. I would like to add a few more to the "pot."
(1) Liner and fabric weight. If you desire to have the cap hold shape the liner makes a big difference. The liner is between the outside fabric and the "silk" liner. Some of my fav caps have height. I have worked with Mr.Cordova to get the side height and back height to be a better fit for me. The liner in the side of the cap helps to give the cap shape. I do not like the cap to be hard resting on my head and the cap needs to have enough material not to pull down tight, like a watchman cap, on the back of the head.
(2) Sides of the cap matter. If you wish the cap to be away from resting on you head or heavy resting on head the side construction makes an enormous difference.
(3) I have linen and wool mixed caps that "take a beating and keep on ticking." The wool helps maintain the cap shape at my house. Linen caps I steam on a wooden cap block. I store them carefully, but inevitably they unpack with wrinkles and light folds.
(4) I, bald headed me, effort to not stain the top of the cap. A handkerchief in the pocket does mostly prevent staining. That said I do have a couple caps with removable topers that I can gently wash. In warm weather wearing this is a nice feature. The maintenance gets higher.
(5) Have a few caps to wear and it keeps the wear and tear down noticeably. Just like hats.
(6) Buy the drape you wish to see. I have some big drape caps and I find myself rarely wearing them. The mushroom head is just not my look. I am a short bald guy and a big drape appears funny or costume-y. I have some small drape and peaks (brims, <2.5") and I rarely wear them. My sweet spot for what I see in the mirror I have found. This is totally my opinion.
Cheers, Eric -