The Cap Faction

[ScottyD]

Not sure if I posted this cap from Monsivais. Super comfortable and great in dealing with the winter chill.

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I'm about to get the first of two caps from Monsivais. Ordered "The Dart", which is a 2/4 design... 4 panels instead of 8. The fabric is going to be a diamond twill weave. I think it'll look great on a panel style cap. I also went with a pre-made they had in stock in blue donegal tweed called the "All Sport". It's a one piece design. I have to say communication was a little rough with Monsivais. I know I griped a bit a few posts back. I had to call a few times to finally get in touch. My guess is Damien is super busy at the moment trying to keep everything in order. On the positive side of things, he did make "The Dart" really quickly - a week to ship! So, I guess one cancels out the other.

 

[Feraud]

I have The All Sport in burgundy wool and it is an amazing cap! It is a great style. I get compliments every time I wear it. You should love it.

Sorry to hear about your communication issues. I wonder if it due to the recent Inspiration show in LA? Damian attended the show. There were probably 1,001 details running through his head in addition to running a brick and mortar shop.

 

[ScottyD]

Yup he mentioned he was busy with the show, so I guess that's what that was all about.

The thing I like about Monsivais vs. the other guys excluding The Well Dressed Head is that you see every style that he makes. With Simonds and to a lesser degree, Cordova, you take a look at pics and let them know that's what you want vs. having a cut and dry model to pick from. Cordova has a ton of fabrics vs. Monsivais had maybe 10 or so to pick from.

 

[ScottyD]

Found Monsivais at this years Inspiration show... at 4:14

 

[Zombie_61]

...Just curious if you guys like to add a nice curve to your peak on your hats. I'm more of a curve and tip to the side kind of guy.

Assuming by your use of the term "peak" that you're referring to the brim/bill (as I call them), definitely. For me a flat brim/bill on a flat cap is uncomfortable and visually unappealing.

As far as the crown being tilted/tipped/flopped to one side or the other, not so much. My caps sometimes do that on their own while I'm wearing them, and if they do I don't "correct" it, but it's unintentional.

...I know it’s hard to go from ball caps to wearing vintage caps...

For me it was the other way around. I got my first flat cap in the late 70s and have worn them occasionally ever since, but didn't buy my first ball cap until a couple of years ago. I've never cared for them, but in recent years I've come to realize they serve a purpose when the weather is too hot for a fur felt hat or wool cap, and/or when I'm attending an event of some kind where I don't want to run the risk of one of my nicer and more expensive hats or caps getting lost or damaged.

 

[ScottyD]

Yup I was referring to the bill or brim. Never really called it a peak until I found this forum. I just thought it was the correct term for the anatomy of a cap.

Yup I always have to have my bill / peak / brim curved and cocked and ready to go.

I'm in the same camp about baseball caps. I haven't owned one (on purpose) since I was a kid. I have a few given as swag from various jobs, etc. I just never liked the look and I'm averse to all things sports, so don't have a team to root for. I do wear 'em around the yard from time to time though when I'm not wearing my good ol' kangol.

 

[Blackthorn]

It is a grey wool, The Hollywood model listed on his site.

Thanks Feraud.

 

[Zombie_61]

Yup I was referring to the bill or brim. Never really called it a peak until I found this forum. I just thought it was the correct term for the anatomy of a cap...

Interesting. I can't recall ever hearing the term "peak" used in that context; with regards to hats/caps, it usually refers to the shape of the crown. Never too late to learn something new.

...I'm in the same camp about baseball caps. I haven't owned one (on purpose) since I was a kid. I have a few given as swag from various jobs, etc. I just never liked the look and I'm averse to all things sports, so don't have a team to root for. I do wear 'em around the yard from time to time though when I'm not wearing my good ol' kangol.

Similar experience here. Back in the mid-80s I was a delivery driver for an auto parts warehouse/distributor, and the visiting salesmen often handed out ball caps with their company's logo on them, the kind now commonly referred to as "trucker" caps--cheap, mesh on the back of the crown, plastic snap adjuster in the back. Cheap advertising. But that was the only time I wore them somewhat regularly.

Also similar, I couldn't care less about organized sports so I got a couple of ball caps that had no logos on them so I wouldn't have to have "that conversation" with anyone about their favorite team, or rock band, or movie, or anything of that sort. One of my caps has the John Deere logo on the front, but I feel safe because nobody in this part of California is going to want to talk to me about tractors.

 

[ScottyD]

Interesting. I can't recall ever hearing the term "peak" used in that context; with regards to hats/caps, it usually refers to the shape of the crown. Never too late to learn something new.

Yup, I thought it might refer to the crown as well, logically speaking. According to Websters -
: a pointed or projecting part of a garment
especially : the visor of a cap or hat
//The cap's peak shades his eyes.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Cap parts:
Wikipedia:
During the 1940s, latex rubber became the stiffening material inside the hat and the modern baseball cap was born. The peak, also known in certain areas as the "bill" or "brim", was designed to protect a player's eyes from the sun. ... The baseball cap was and still is an important means by which to identify a team.

Good pictorial with descriptions here (Delmonico): https://www.delmonicohatter.com/terminology.htm

Dictionary ( https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/thesaurus-category/american/parts-of-hats ): peak-noun-the flat curved part of a cap that continues beyond the main at the front above your eyes .

Video ( Gentleman's Gazette -

) : The video gets most of the cap details correct. IMO, he offers a lot of opinions with conviction that can bias viewers.

I hope I have assisted. Eric -

 

[ScottyD]

Too many names for the same thing...

 

[Blackthorn]

Too many names for the same thing...

It 's just the way of the world.

 

[Zombie_61]

Too many names for the same thing...

That seems to happen a lot around here.

 

[ScottyD]

I don't completely agree with that dude in the youtube vid. I wear flat caps backwards. It depends on the hat. Some look pretty good backwards... some don't. The thing is you have to own it.

 

[Tukwila]

My daughter told me her school changed their "No Hats" rule but she didn't want to wear her nice fedoras because no one has any respect for them as her personal property and she has had problems, and she can't just put them in her school backpack without smashing them.

Well, I got an email from Hats in Belfry and they had caps on sale, plus a 50% off coupon for President's Day. I never thought I'd ever buy anything from them, but an inexpensive cap might just be the answer to daughter's dilemma. I emailed her the link to take a look at 3 wool and wool/cashmere caps and she picked a charcoal tweed number in wool.

For $39 shipped to my door I think it's a pretty nice little cap. Made in Italy, it's an 8 panel Newsboy type cap.

 

[ScottyD]

@Tukwila Very nice! I should get on their list. Eventhough, I'm on a "bespoke" binge, you never know when something will pop up that I want to try.

Should be getting a whole slew of hats soon. Two from Monsivais, one from Simonds, one from Hat People, another from Froggy Went Courting (made by Olney), and finally... one from Mamie Blue. Will take pics and post impressions when I get 'em.

 

[Tukwila]

I have an order in with Jonathan at Cordova for a custom cap for myself, but this inexpensive hat for Lil' Tuk is something she can wear and not worry about getting grabbed by another kid or smunched in her book bag.

She has quite a collection of cool fedoras, plus a western, but the cap should fit the high school environment better.

 

[ScottyD]

Yeah I think I'm going with Cordova next after I get these 6 hats in. I also have my eyes on a few other Etsy based retailers and a guy on eBay as well.

Anyone ever buy from countrysidehatsandsocks on eBay? His prices are great and if I can tell correctly, it looks like either he or someone else in Scotland are making them.

Also looking at HatsWithAPast... https://www.etsy.com/shop/HatsWithAPast?ref=l2-shopheader-name
Her stuff has a more modern look, but it looks like quality all around.

 

[Bushman]

Donegal tweet from Kevin & Howlin. I get compliments on this hat constantly. I had a man ask me where I got it while on the train last night. He looked dejected when I told him I bought it from a custom tweed shop in Dublin while studying abroad.

 

[Tukwila]

Head shot with the new Belfry "Maxine" cap Lil' Tuk picked up today.

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