The Cap Faction

[Adnamira]

May I ask why everyone is so enamoured with leather sweatbands? I think they are a necessary evil in felt hats, but I don't understand the charm in a cap - I'm not a big fan of that horrible, greasy slick feeling if it gets warm and you start to sweat. They are prone to shrinking if you leave them in the sun. How do you clean a cap with a leather sweatband - dry cleaning? Maybe they give the cap some shape, but on the other hand, like a felt hat you may have to be careful how you sit them down. Is it just a case that a leather sweatband is seen as more authentic, or is there some practical benefit that I don't understand?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

For me the feel of a leather sweatband is way more comformable on my head. The coth bands are just there you may feel the roughness of the cloth. The leather sweatband is just a smooth feeling on the old cue ball.

 

[Adnamira]

Yeah, I guess some cloth bands can be a bit roughish. I have a black akubra with a satin lining and boy is that fella hot - I'm gunna rip out the lining - but I don't find the feeling of your skin sticking to the leather that comfortable... so I haven't really searched for a leather band in a cap. Just ordered this Zasu cap - it looks well done. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250954719787?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Gunna be interesting to examine that crown - seems to be an octagonal kind of pattern at the apex instead of the usual triangle eight panel, perhaps to lengthen the crown? Eight panel lining is a good idea, I reckon - will shape the same way as the crown.

For me the feel of a leather sweatband is way more comformable on my head. The coth bands are just there you may feel the roughness of the cloth. The leather sweatband is just a smooth feeling on the old cue ball.

 

[Adnamira]

I could be swayed on the leather hatband business, but there is no way anyone can convince me that polyester satin linings are a good thing. What is the point of having a breathable fabric like wool that is comfortable in changing temperatures, then sticking non breathable, perspiration inducing, stinky piece of crappy polyester inside of it?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Interestingly, 8-panel caps are almost (though not completely) unheard of in British vintage hats. The 'flat front' hats are pretty much all one finds, with a smattering of 8-darted models in amongst 'em.

bk

Thanks. Pre-1940s flat front caps (as opposed to eight-panel caps and eight-dart caps) are very difficult to find these days, especially in the U.S.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Just ordered this Zasu cap - it looks well done. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250954719787?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Gunna be interesting to examine that crown - seems to be an octagonal kind of pattern at the apex instead of the usual triangle eight panel, perhaps to lengthen the crown? Eight panel lining is a good idea, I reckon - will shape the same way as the crown.

Yes, let us know how this cap is I value your thoughts on caps. Might take a few days to get to Woop Woop Australia.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Interestingly, 8-panel caps are almost (though not completely) unheard of in British vintage hats. The 'flat front' hats are pretty much all one finds, with a smattering of 8-darted models in amongst 'em.

bk

Is there anyone making vintage pattern flat panel caps? Marc has some great ones and I have seen some of the older English ones posted.But I haven't seen anyone doing a repo of the flat panel caps from the 20's and 30's.

 

[flat-top]

Another beauty from Adjustable Costume:

 

[Razzman]

I looked at the Zasu Caps. They look well made, however they don't appear to have any interior hatband at all! The sizes are listed as about 7 1/4 or about 7 3/8. Looking forward to your thoughts after you receive it.

 

[Adnamira]

I looked at the Zasu Caps. They look well made, however they don't appear to have any interior hatband at all! The sizes are listed as about 7 1/4 or about 7 3/8. Looking forward to your thoughts after you receive it.

No they don't seem to, do they. There are a few things about them that don't seem convential, but they seem to have a bit of dimension about them. Oh well, there's only one way to find out what they are like. The one I ordered is 7 1/2, which is apparently 61cm, so it might be a little big.
Ralf Reynolds, the fella who makes them, is the guy playing the washboard in this. The caps those girls are wearing certainly aren't stingey in the brim department -
[video=youtube;8OeeNNVsMQw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OeeNNVsMQw[/video]

 

[esteban68]

Here's one I got the other day, not any real vintage but older than 2001 I suspect as thats when M&S stopped using the St Michael logo, also made in UK which is nice in 100% wool;

...apologies for the photos.

 

[bowlerman]

I thought this hat was begging for this shot. I wish I was on a boat on the Atlantic.

 

[Adnamira]

Lovely textured fabric in that cap, Bowlerman. Good look.... but smoking is bad for you

 

[riccardo]

Hi to all,
I've just bought two caps:
the first one is a Stetson hatteras , it is an newsboy hat; the second one is an inexpensive basque made in Italy 100%wool.
I like very much both, they are so warm and they wear very well. I think I'll go to repeat this experience.
God bless You.

 

[Razzman]

Great looking caps gentlemen! Flat-top, that one is a beauty. I've never come across a vintage newsboy. The Town in which I reside has a couple of vintage shops and a Salvation Army store.

 

[bowlerman]

Lovely textured fabric in that cap, Bowlerman. Good look.... but smoking is bad for you

Thanks Adnamira. I think the look only really works with my hair tied back (or cut off, I suppose). If you looks carefully, you can see a small part of my pipe collection on the shelf in the background... Honestly I hardly use them anymore, but they're difficult to get rid of.

Interestingly, the day I wore that cap out in town, I'm sure I saw two dozen people or more, of all ages, wearing flat caps too.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

A new one from France in a grey gabardine material. Tous Les Sports. 8 darted single piece of fabric top. Could be from any time 50s and back. But probably 50s.

This is a great liner!

The "Chevalier" shot.

A non-functional, purely for show strap across the back of the bill.

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

.
So freakin' great, Baron! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Folks, I got perhaps a niave question. I went back thru a bunch of the pages on this thread and could not find the answer. So here goes; What is the reason for the snap on the front bill of the cap? Origination? Curious about this feature.

Thanks in advance, Eric -

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Great one BK looks just Like my Mr Freedom one.