The Cap Faction

[Adnamira]

Do you think so? At least they are stating the shipping costs which will be EURO 39,--.

Ah well, just as well they don't have my size then - it would be a little pricey for me, but she's a bewt!

 

[Woodfluter]

Adnamira, it it helps any, the shipping for two was very little more for two than for one ($12 vs $11.13). Don't know how that would translate to your antipodal location, but something to consider. Hats Plus also said they expect more from City Sport come Fall (up here, Spring to you).

 

[Adnamira]

Adnamira, it it helps any, the shipping for two was very little more for two than for one ($12 vs $11.13). Don't know how that would translate to your antipodal location, but something to consider. Hats Plus also said they expect more from City Sport come Fall (up here, Spring to you).

Thanks, Woodfluter... that would be the way for me to go then. One cap would cost me $35 to ship, so if I could average the $20 then that would be reasonable. Ah, that works in my favour in that I seem to be getting some good prices on winter caps at the moment, but works against me when I see something I like that is sold out because it's the end of the season.

 

[St. Valentine]

For some strange reason there don´t seem to be many places where Citiy Sport caps are offered in Germany.

 

[Adnamira]

For some strange reason there don´t seem to be many places where Citiy Sport caps are offered in Germany.

It has struck me as unusual that a Belgium company would give themselves an English name. Apparently the company is Declercq and Declercq, but they trade as City Sport, even in France. Your Thompson cap reminded me of a City Sport Donegal marl mix cap, but City Sport stitch their brims instead of having snaps. Now if they made one of their newsboys with snaps and eight panel cotton linings, I'd be in heaven, but I think they are made for a price and deliver it with an attention to detail that is good for an affordable factory made cap.

 

[St. Valentine]

Unfortunately they don´t seem to have an online shop but work with distributors. I think I will try one of Mamie Blue Paris caps instead. They look nicely retro too. Surely enough I will need a summer cap as well, don´t I?

 

[Adnamira]

Unfortunately they don´t seem to have an online shop but work with distributors. I think I will try one of Mamie Blue Paris caps instead. They look nicely retro too. Surely enough I will need a summer cap as well, don´t I?

I think they are a comparitive style cap, actually - similar linings and sweatband - but eight dart and you get a snap. The only reason I went for City Sport was for the Donegal tweed and the style probably works for my wardrobe a bit better. I reckon those Retro Sports would look excellent with a suit, which I don't get the opportunity to wear much, unfortunately, in the Australian bush. Well, once people in the bush would get dressed up in their suits and sports jackets; these days you cop flack for being dressed up if you wear a half decent button up shirt... the bogans have taken over.

 

[seabass]

woodfluter
i just ordered the city sport brown linen. thanks for the info & pics...
Try the retro-sport linen its nice also

 

[seabass]

I think they are a comparitive style cap, actually - similar linings and sweatband - but eight dart and you get a snap. The only reason I went for City Sport was for the Donegal tweed and the style probably works for my wardrobe a bit better. I reckon those Retro Sports would look excellent with a suit, which I don't get the opportunity to wear much, unfortunately, in the Australian bush. Well, once people in the bush would get dressed up in their suits and sports jackets; these days you cop flack for being dressed up if you wear a half decent button up shirt... the bogans have taken over.

Adnamira retro sport has some cotton caps that have the working class feel, more joe 6 pack which is great for me.

 

[Chepstow]

Because you guys got me hooked I have ordered two more caps which arrived yesterday.

Frank

Frank, great Caps. both looks very good! What is the different between your first Cap from Bela and the new one! It´s the liner heavier?
Or what´s drops the sides down!

 

[Adnamira]

Thanks, Seabass. I've just being getting into the tweeds and herringbones for winter, but I think I will look at a couple of retros later in the year. I think a nice light shade one would go well with a charcoal blue, superfine suit that I have - I might have to go to the Melbourne Cup or something to give myself an excuse to put on the glad rags.

 

[Adnamira]

Oh, some of them do have a cotton lining too! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CASQUETT...tements_AccessoiresHommes&hash=item2a111c1277

That is a big plus for me. On the farm in winter I wear wool vests under cotton pull-overs or oilskin jacket - the pull-over stops the wool knit from snagging on things. I can tell you from experience that when you are working on a day where the weather changes, wool will keep you warm, but you don't have to put it on and take it off as much as the temperature changes. For the level of warmth you get from wool, you don't seem to get as overheated as quickly in it as anything else. Polyester is the worse for having to take off and put back on again all the time. That's why I think it is a pity to put polyester inside a wool cap - it instantly ruins the thermal range of wool. I've compromised with Wigens and City Sport in that regard, because I'm unlikely to be working in these caps, but still, how much dearer is it to use cotton than a polyester lining?

 

[seabass]

Thanks, Seabass. I've just being getting into the tweeds and herringbones for winter, but I think I will look at a couple of retros later in the year. I think a nice light shade one would go well with a charcoal blue, superfine suit that I have - I might have to go to the Melbourne Cup or something to give myself an excuse to put on the glad rags.

I got a bunch of pals from Melbourne. My brother goes there a lot plays music there. I also train operators to drive 2 vintage streetcars from Melbourne....a 1926 car & a 1946 car

 

[Adnamira]

I got a bunch of pals from Melbourne. My brother goes there a lot plays music there. I also train operators to drive 2 vintage streetcars from Melbourne....a 1926 car & a 1946 car

Have you got them wearing retros? You gotta pay $100 for a Kangol in Australia - bugger that, you are better off with any of the caps shown in this thread. I've not been to Melbourne - it's about 700km from here... but it is crime that I haven't been to a Melbourne Cup, which is as much about getting dressed up and drinking a lot than watching the horses. I really should make a point.

 

[seabass]

Have you got them wearing retros? You gotta pay $100 for a Kangol in Australia - bugger that, you are better off with any of the caps shown in this thread. I've not been to Melbourne - it's about 700km from here... but it is crime that I haven't been to a Melbourne Cup, which is as much about getting dressed up and drinking a lot than watching the horses. I really should make a point.

naaa just cheezy poly/wool uniforms at work
my Melbourne pals are rockabilly,s My brother sometimes wears a porkpie to Australia oh yea he gets free Kangols if he wears em at concerts
he has a bunch of those kangols
he gave me a few kangols years ago, never wore em

 

[Woodfluter]

Yep Seabass, I figure one of Mamie Blue's caps is in my future. Just waiting a bit to see if something turns up in a fabric that I really want and the right size. How do they run? True or (+) or (-) ?

To me, the darted style is superficially similar but quite different from the 8/4. I like it for the reasons you named.

Adnamira, I agree about wool being the most temperature-versatile material, especially when working. But I don't seem to have the same problem with polyester linings, mostly. And I sweat a lot. Yeah, I'd rather cotton too. Yet better, a very fine wool!

In hats, I've made some linings removable, but the biggest contributor to comfort was cutting the blamed plastic liner tips out. At first I was very reluctant to do that to any vintage hat; then I decided that I wouldn't be wearing them much if I didn't. But polyester liner in or out with my Akubra Feds doesn't seem to be noticeable after the plastic was scrapped, even under a range of temperatures. Speaking for me only, mind you.

 

[Woodfluter]

Caps at the Movies

I wanted to post some stills but don't know how to capture an image from a trailer video (if that's possible).

Well anyway, my sweetie (my wife, but I prefer not to split hairs) and I went to the movies for the first time in quite a while. We saw "The Artist". Loved it. I wore the City Sport blue Donegal tweed to that, and we ran into friends at the theater. Anyway, this is a vintage cap flick, in case you didn't know. I didn't, and my choice of headgear was purely accidental.

Hats make an appearance here and there, but there's a lot more of caps. Some 8/4 types are more bulbuous, like those I've seen in old period photos of working-class stiffs, and flat caps, and in the movie those were generally worn by the the stage hands and gaffers and photographers (I'm relying on memory here, so cut me a break, OK?) Rather similar to the Hat People offerings, and perhaps a bit more so to Hepville's - except for the flat caps. The movie stars and executives and wannabees wore caps with profiles more like City Sport's model 420 and the vintage ads we've seen posted herein.

No profound insights here, but wanted to point out that I've seen quite a variety of cap styles in period movies and old photos, so some generalizations we've all read here might be a bit sweeping, ya know? Also consider that ads play an important rôle in our perception of what was stereotypical of a certain period; and then again ponder just who those ads were targeted toward. Namely, those with more funds and refined tastes.

I suspect that we oftentimes forget how much folks in the past were like us, and were similarly attracted to variety, and also sensitive to what seemed "outrée"; and also varied in tastes.

Cheers y'all,
- Bill (the flute player)

 

[Adnamira]

Well, Woodfluter, most sport jackets have satin linings, so I guess it is not that bad in winter apparel. I guess the advantage with Satin linings is that they are less bulky than cotton linings. The hottest caps I've had are the ones with spandex/polyester shells like a Kangol Hudson or Coal cap that I had; the kangol had a cotton lining with a polyester shell and it was very hot for the weight of the cap. In felt hats, the lining tends to conform to the crown so it is not touching your head. One thing I like about cotton linings is that they don't make that crinkley sound when you are adjusting them on your head. In saying that - polyester socks are a definite evil!

I agree with you also about how there must have been variety in hat style within periods. I sometimes wonder about 'the authentic' look. There must have been some variety, especially if some wool caps were being made and sold on the street - I doubt they would have been blocked and structured like the more expensive tailored variety.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I like the 8 dart cap as it doesn't Mushroom shaped as the 8 pannel model does.

As you can see from this early Stetson cap the Fad. The cap came in both plain(8 dart) and 8 pannel models.

The 8 dart model was more popular in the 20's which is my favorite cap era.

 

[Razzman]

Woodfluter, the City Sport caps look greatk!