The Cap Faction

[drmaxtejeda]

I bought two caps today.
This is the second one, from Keith Lo Bue's The Well Dressed Head.

The LE MANS - 1920s Style Flat Cap in Shrunken Sheepskin Leather with Horsehide Visor and Vintage Kimono Liner.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[drmaxtejeda]

And the first is made from the same fabric (1840's) as one of Alan's, but with the design in the second picture.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[Nico]

Hi All. I am new to this thread.
Just scored a coupe of flat caps to add to my headgear collection.
Gamble & Gunn British made 8 panel cap. Made from green Molloy & Sons Donegal Tweed.



Stetson Oregon Navy Wool 6 panel Flat Cap. Wool and linen blend, Herringbone pattern.

 

[Zombie_61]

^ I really like both of those caps Nico, and I think their sizes and shapes suit you very well!

 

[Nico]

^ I really like both of those caps Nico, and I think their sizes and shapes suit you very well!

Thank you for the kind words.

 

[Blackthorn]

Nice caps, Nico! Seeing the Gamble and Gunn, I may order one myself. Did you order from Gamble and Gunn themselves, or is there a web site that carries them?

 

[Blackthorn]

Never mind, I found them.

 

[Simonds]

So... We're finally in the full swing of spring and I wanted to add to the arsenal of caps for daily spring/summer wear. I've been looking for light weight materials in a variety of colors and/or patterns. It seems at first glance that wool based caps / hats have more variety. But in searching, I've found some pretty interesting options - linens (limited in patterns) coming in mostly solid colors; cottons with denims in a variety of colors and patterns and other cotton options like gingham and duck canvas. I'm sure a cap can even be made out of hemp or straw. Finally, there are some limited options in lighter wools like gabardine. or even tropical wools...

For my first cap, I decided to go with linen as a material. It's so smooth to the touch and so light. I have some Belgian linen bedding that is oh so comfy and great in the summertime heat, so I wanted something reminiscent for headwear. I really liked what Simonds had produced the last time with my work wear dotted striped denim cap, so linen it is...

1930's style linen 8 panel cap...

View attachment 165860
View attachment 165861

This hat is so dang comfy. The fit is great. Spot on -- to be expected with a Simonds cap. Worksmanship - top notch. This is going to be one of my favs for spring / summer daily use.

Other thoughts... I asked for the peak to be a little larger on this one - 2.5" vs. the 2" on the work wear 8 panel cap. I was hoping that that would translate to more room on the peak with less crown. Knowing what I know I would have asked for a slightly smaller crown to create the look I was going for. In the end, it's up to the artist's (cap maker's) interpretation of how the reproduction should be. After all this is a 30's style cap. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be if you catch my drift. Also you can't really flop the cap to the side like some other caps I have. It's straight forward. That's ok. Barry Simonds says he can make a cap with more of a baker boy, maybe big apple style that flops if you ask it.

One more thing... linen creases and wrinkles easily. It's part of the game. At least using one of those handheld steamers helps fix things up every few weeks...

Looks great!

 

[Simonds]

It's been a few minutes since I last posted here in the cap faction thread .Anyways here wearing a recent build made from a wool from Yorkshire. Have a wonderful day, all!

 

[Blackthorn]

Nice!

 

[Blackthorn]

It's been a few minutes since I last posted here in the cap faction thread, and wow how much easier it was to upload a photo here verses the merchant section! Anyways here wearing a recent build made from a wool from Yorkshire. Have a wonderful day, all!
View attachment 168187

I like how it lays down on your head instead of sticking up high like so many others. Can you do that on order to any of the caps you offer?

 

[Simonds]

This cap is interfaced, it's just the shear size of the crown and weight worn with a tilt I guess that makes it look this way? I do make unlined models.

 

[Nico]

Out and about on this cool autumn day. Wearing my Gamble & Gunn cap.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Just bought this cap from Keith Lo Bue

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[ScottyD]

That's a very funky design @drmaxtejeda. You are very bold my friend.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Just bought this cap from Keith Lo Bue

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

I love it! It’s very Alanesque.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I love it! It’s very Alanesque.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hahaha. Yes, it is. I was thinking that when I saw it.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[ScottyD]

Time for another review...

I had done a full on search of Etsy looking for all vendors that make flat caps and 8 panel caps and eventually came to Hats With A Past. To my eyes, it looked like the proprietor Bonnie Shaffer was going for a more modern look with vintage flair. For men, she sells two basic styles of cap - 8/4 (8 panel) and the traditional driving cap (Ivy) in both a thinner and wider cut. She also makes womens hats in a few vintage styles as well. While I'm more drawn to the styles from the likes of Cordova, Monsivais, Simonds, and Keith Lo Bue, I knew there was something there with Bonnie's workmanship and attention to detail. Even more so, I was completely sold when I saw the selection of fabrics that Bonnie has to offer. I was immediately in love with this mini houndstooth gabardine type fabric in brown and beige. Plus it was lightweight, so I figured it'd make a nice all season cap. In order to balance out my recent binge of 8 panel caps, I decided to go with the flat cap with a more wider cut.

This is the result...

So first things first... Bonnie works quickly. I was quoted 2 weeks turn-around time and Bonnie delivered. Side note: I've found most of the vendors quote about a month for lead time. When I got the cap I was immediately impressed with the quality of the cap. The materials used - top notch. The sateen lining so smooth. The gabardine wool has this wonderful drape and smooth feel as well. I feel like the design, while not as wide and floppy as an 8 dart, has enough of a vintage look to it to satisfy the most discerning dapper dandy. The fit is perfect as well.

What's not to like? No complaints here. This is one of my favorite all-season caps. I probably wouldn't wear it in the dead heat of the summer though.

Since, I love Bonnie's (Hats With A Past) selection of wools, I think I'm going to go with an 8 panel in a wider cut next time, probably this fall.

You can find Bonnie at hatswithapast.com and Etsy as well.

 

[Blackthorn]

Etsy says she's taking a break. You were lucky and got one of her caps.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Looks small for your head shape. I am sure it’s a nice cap. [emoji3]