Plastic in lining of vintage hats

[maggiethespy]

I have a strange, uneducated-when-it-comes-to-hats question.

Do the plastic liners feel like the plastic cloth-diaper covers? Or Rubber sheets for baby beds? Because when I read the first few posts in this thread I was picturing a stiff plastic shaped like the inside of the crown, but looking at those pictures, it looks much more flexible.

Just curious

 

[Feraud]

I have a strange, uneducated-when-it-comes-to-hats question.

Do the plastic liners feel like the plastic cloth-diaper covers? Or Rubber sheets for baby beds? Because when I read the first few posts in this thread I was picturing a stiff plastic shaped like the inside of the crown, but looking at those pictures, it looks much more flexible.

Just curious

I wonder how many guys are going to admit knowing what diapers and rubber baby sheets feel like.

In the first picture I posted the material is a thin, flexible, slightly textured, and vaguely artificial feeling.
The second material feels as stiff and plasticky as it appears.
Hope this helps.

 

[Michaelshane]

If you wear a hat with the liner removed you will get a dark spot where your head contacts the hat.Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Tango Yankee]

If you wear a hat with the liner removed you will get a dark spot where your head contacts the hat.Don't ask me how I know.

A dark spot on your head from the dye in the felt or a dark spot in the felt from sweat? (I'm thinking the former...)

Cheers,
Tom

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

This is just a shot in the dark, but what about going the other way around? Like (stitching?) a piece of cloth over on top of the plastic...

 

[duggap]

I just noticed that three of my VS hats from Art F. have the plastic on top of the liner. They have never bothered me though.

 

[Michaelshane]

A dark spot on your head from the dye in the felt or a dark spot in the felt from sweat? (I'm thinking the former...)

Cheers,
Tom

I think most likely skin oil.

 

[Justdog]

Brylcreme

Brylcreem is a men's hair care product. It's what sometimes stains liners after extended use, which may be where you picked the name up from in connection with hat liners.

Yes I am aware of Brylcreem but doing reading I read that the liner cover is brylcreme but not sure of the spelling, I lost the link I had describing it but is indeed a plastic of some sort, I will see if I can find the product. Yes just found it it was called a brylcreem plastic shield to protect the liner from the product brylcreem. Any how would not recommend removing it unless its aggravating.

 

[seed]

Does anybody on this board know the historical background about the plastic lining? When was it most popular and why did its popularity wain?

 

[Michaelshane]

Back in the day everyone put hair oil on their hair,it's obvious what the plastics for isn't it?

 

[Feraud]

Back in the day everyone put hair oil on their hair,it's obvious what the plastics for isn't it?

I am not so sure this is the answer seed is looking for. I assume he is requesting historical background based on facts. Blanket statements about what "everyone did" fall into the realm of this discussion.
If anyone has particular data or other historical information regarding men's grooming products, the types and decades in use, with a comparison on the rise and varieties of cap liners used in men's fedoras, I would be very interesting in reading it.