The Well-Dressed Head: Vintage Caps for Men: November 2013

Cap10: 1960's/70's Replica of a 1920's Eight-Panel Newsboy Cap

Here's an excellent 1960's or 1970's newsboy cap, in the style of the early 20th-century. The generous proportions on this 'applejack' cap gives that classic newsboy look. Brown, grey and cream weave (feels like 100% wool, but with wool blends in vogue in the '70's, I can't be completely sure). Satin lining. Perfect brim and snap closure. No size tags, lining stamped 'Grand Prix.' Some wear to the headband lining material, but no major problems. All around very good/excellent condition. A beautiful cap.

Like all the caps I sell, this has been carefully washed to remove dirt and oils, the leather protected and dressed and the cap reshaped to its original glory.

SIZE: Large - 7 3/8 / 7 1/2" / 59/60cm / Approx. 23 - 23 1/2"
(I'm a 7 3/8", and it is comfortable and just a little roomy)
(For information on measuring your head, please click here.)

Cap dimensions: 10 1/2" diameter / Brim length at center 2"

$US79.00 + shipping worldwide

NOTE: This cap can be resized UP a size or two, making this a great cap for extra-large heads!

To purchase, simply fill out the contact form to the right, including your email and mailing address. Specify 'CAP10' and I will send you a PayPal invoice with appropriate shipping.

Cap09: 1950's Cotton Belted-Back Flat Cap

This smart plaid cotton 'Funkap - Ivy League' cap from the 1950's was nursed back to life after over a half-century of neglect. The leather sweatband, while intact, was bone dry and in need of some TLC, and the cotton fabric was dingy and dim.

A few days of leather intensive-care brought the leather back to life, and a gentle wash brightened the cap up fantastically. It's now raring and ready for a deserving head.

This cap was brought up gently to a much more reasonable 7" medium from a small 6 5/8"
.
Like all the caps I sell, this has been carefully washed to remove dirt and oils and the cap reshaped to its original glory. I love the double snaps on this one.

There are areas of the fabric that didn't brighten fully up, the back buckle has some wear, and the leather, while supple and strong now, remains a bit grainy from its age and condition (see last image for texture). Doesn't affect its wearability, though. I wish this one fit me.

SIZE: Medium - 7" 56cm
(For information on measuring your head, please click here.)

Cap dimensions: 9 x 7" / Brim length at center: 1 3/4"

$US59.00 + shipping worldwide

To purchase, simply fill out the contact form to the right, including your email and mailing address. Specify 'CAP09' and I will send you a PayPal invoice with appropriate shipping.

Cap 04: 1960's / 70's Pendleton Wool Eight-Dart Cap

Here's an outstandingly beautiful plaid wool lined 8-dart cap from the late 1960's / early '70's by the venerable Pendleton company from Portland, Oregon. This one would stay in my private collection if my storage were a bit more expansive! The colors are rich and different from the usual fare from this time period. The cap is in excellent condition, with only minor wear to the label printing in the lining. No snap on the brim of this one, so as you can see in one of the images, it can be worn well with the crown front up.

SIZE: Medium - 7 1/8 / 57cm / Approx. 22 1/4"

(For information on measuring your head, please click here.) 

Cap dimensions: 10" diameter / Brim length at center 2 1/4" 

$US69.00 + shipping worldwide  

NOTE: This cap can be resized up or down a size or two. Let me know your requirements and I'll let you know if it can be done.

To purchase, simply fill out the contact form to the right, including your email and mailing address. Specify 'CAP04' and I will send you a PayPal invoice with appropriate shipping.

[SOLD] Cap 05: Engineering / L&N Railway 1970's Hickory Stripe Denim Cap

Here is a formerly-deadstock railway engineer's cap in a pristine grey/blue hickory stripe denim. Although this cap was made around the 1970's, the style of cap has been largely unchanged since the 1930's. I washed it by hand to freshen and soften the denim and removed the size tag, which stuck out conspicuously under the brim. I wore it twice. An eminently cool cap.

L&N Railroad stands for Louisville & Nashville Railroad, was active right up until the early 1990's. Some great images of the line in its heyday can be seen here.

SIZE: Large - 7 3/8" / 59cm / Approx. 23"
(For information on measuring your head, please click here.) 

Cap dimensions: 8" diameter /
Brim length at center 2 1/4" 

$US59.00 + shipping worldwide  
SOLD

NOTE: This cap can be resized UP a size or two. Let me know your requirements and I'll let you know if it can be done.

To purchase, simply fill out the contact form to the right, including your email and mailing address. Specify 'CAP05' and I will send you a PayPal invoice with appropriate shipping.

Cap 01: 1960's Replica of a 1930's Newsboy Cap (Sold)

The mid-1960's saw a resurgence in 1930's cap designs. The generous crown on this 100%wool tweed cap gives that classic newsboy look. Brown and tan weave with spots of red and blue. Unlined interior with taped seams and full leather sweatband. Solid brim and snap closure. No tags. All around excellent condition. A seriously stylish cap.

Like all the caps I sell, this has been carefully washed to remove dirt and oils, the leather protected and dressed and the cap reshaped to its original glory.

SIZE: Large - 7 1/4 to 7 3/8" / 58/59cm / Approx. 22 3/4"

(For information on measuring your head, please click here.)

Cap dimensions: 10" diameter / Brim length at center 2.5"

$US99.00 - SOLD

NOTE: This cap can be resized UP a size or two. Let me know your requirements and I'll let you know if it can be done.

To purchase, simply fill out the contact form to the right, including your email and mailing address. Specify 'CAP01' and I will send you a PayPal invoice with appropriate shipping.

Cap08: 1940's Kangol 'stingy' Flat Cap [SOLD]

A nice and clean early example of the British stalwart Kangol's wool flat cap, from the 1940's. A real stingy (small diameter, close to the head) design, it's a real grab-and-go piece of headgear.

Hard to capture the color, but the underside shot gets it closely - a dark, rich brown/olive earthy tone. The wool is in excellent condition. Printed label on inside of crown is only just barely there now (see pics).

The tag is no longer with us (see pic), but due to the ribbed fabric band it stretches to fit anywhere from a size 7" up to my big 7 3/8" dome with little trouble.
Like all the caps I sell, this has been carefully washed to remove dirt and oils and the cap reshaped to its original glory.

SIZE: Medium/Large - 7" to 7 3/8" / 56/59cm

(For information on measuring your head, please click here.)

Cap dimensions: 9" diameter / Brim length at center: 1 7/8"

$US49.00 + shipping worldwide SOLD

To purchase, simply fill out the contact form to the right, including your email and mailing address. Specify 'CAP08' and I will send you a PayPal invoice with appropriate shipping.

By Way Of INTRODUCTION.

Now here's a bold new concept, indeed.

It seems these days you see chaps all around wearing vintage-inspired 'bunnets', most of which ignore, or worse, blight the sharp, distinctive contours of the cloth caps of the early 20th-century. Now, here is made available a remarkable and swiftly growing collection from which the public may purchase original, vintage caps spanning the last 100 years, from the comfort of their easy chairs.

Additionally, and not of no consequence, these caps can now, for the first time offered, be SIZED to the customer's head, so that one need not be prevented from owning the desired design and example of choice. Using a series of closely-guarded techniques, caps previously too small for the average adult can be stretched, safely and gently too, to adorn even larger size menfolk. A valuable, and if it may be said, unique offer in all of the world.

So now, thus informed, the reader may examine the stylish and authentic caps herein, and if a model is deemed outstanding, won't you purchase it for yourself or as a treasured gift for a man to whom you believe would accept it approvingly, and wear it proudly.

A final word of counsel is proffered in closing. Keeping at the forefront of your mind that these are antique and in some cases quite rare articles, dawdling, dithering or any other form of shilly-shally may result in the item in question vanishing due to another patron's promptness.

Yours in CAPtivity,

K. Lo Bue, proprietor.