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CChocobo (Cyrus) asks:

Q: Any tips on how to properly shrink a New Era cap?

Our answer follows after the jump.

question-strictly-fitteds-baseball-cap-blog-hat-cap

Via Twitter @DemeterBen asks

Q: Can I get an official ruling on leaving stickers on a new hat? Company stickers stay but bar codes and price tags are out.

A: Our official ruling: If the cap is not new and unworn, the stickers remain. As soon as it goes on, ALL tags and stickers come off.

Beware the “circle of death”. Over time your wool blend fitted baseball cap fades with exposure to sunlight. Most likely you will not notice - until that sizing sticker falls off. The result is a bright patch, shades lighter than the rest of our your brim. #FAIL The only other option is to replace the sticker, which is frankly, irriating. I’ve tossed out at least 4 caps because of this over the years.

The fade factor aside (this isn’t an issue with 100% polyester), the question to ask yourself is: “What do I have to prove, why and to whom?” The trend of keeping the tags / stickers / labels on caps has been with us for decades as a status symbol; proof that the cap was authentic and new. Do you need that co-sign to be fresh? Absotruthly not. In the end, style is a personal choice. Choose your own adventure - always do you.

Got a question for us? Send us a tweet at twitter.com/StrictlyFitteds

As consumers, seldom do we think about the design and manufacturing processes, partnerships, and overall hardwork that goes into creating the products that we buy. Recently on VAULT’s blog, Vault publicly acknowledged and thanked BENNY GOLD for all his hardwork over the years in designing the logos and graphics that adorn their coveted New Era 59Fifty fitted caps. As a sign of gratitude, Vault has sent him a package of goodies.

As simple as this gesture is, it’s great news for the consumers to see. Too often do we here about the negative aspects of business; partnerships ending, bridges being burned, companies calling out other companies, etc. In a world where many businesses are struggling to survive, it’s redeeming to see that as humans, we can appreciate the hardwork put in by others.

2009 was a big year for Benny Gold, and with 2010 marking the opening of his headquarters in San Francisco, this gesture only adds to a great start of a positive year for both Benny Gold and Vault.

fitted baseball caps

The year has come and gone and its time to make those oh so hard top 5 picks of fitted baseball caps. Click below to check out my selections for 2009.

1. St. Alfred x New Era “A” 59Fifty Fitted Cap

The way that the A was executed got me because its just so artsy. I love the hat because its the first initial in my name. St. Alfred never disappoints, always releasing quality goods. It was sold at Kicks/Hi and St. Alfred.

1. APPLEBUM x NEW ERA Danchi 59Fifty Fitted Baseball Cap

APPLEBUM really finished 2009 strong by sneaking this gem in before year’s end. It actually got me so surprised that I actually had to re-do this whole list… The Danchi 59Fifty fitted cap is a portrait of various Danchis (small, government subsidized apartments) across Tokyo encompassing the entirety of the cap. It shows the reality of urban decay yet the surreal colorings of the apartments offer a different type of beauty in it’s own right. A flawless victory for Applebum and a nice piece of art that many can appreciate for years to come.

Caps and Hip Hop go together like PB&J - no news flash there. However, FIF’s latest video “Do You Think About Me” bears mentioning. Director Chris Robinson (Thanks for those Robot Films checks.) has framed up some eye catching fitted Kodak moments. First would be Mr. Jackson catching a face full of ice water while wearing a NY Yankees 2009 World Series patch edition 59Fifty. (No stunt double even.) This would have been a prime product placement for the new waterproof Yankees caps we previewed earlier. Consider that a suggestion to the G’s and Gents in the audience. Shout to Toasty of WINFIELD CAPS.

fitted baseball cap

There can be only one Champion, but this past World Series was truly a win for the sport of Baseball. There were no givens. It was an emotional roller coaster; a hard fought battle. In the end, both teams brought out the best in each other. It’s passion that drives us - struggle that refines us. Personally this was a battle of the heart.

It’s not often that a baseball cap gets credited for saving lives, but SMART CAP gets that honor. Invented by Australian based CRC MINING, this cap is fitted with sensors that monitors a drivers brainwaves for signs of fatigue. If fatigue is sensed, the sensors sends signals to a monitor within the truck’s cab that flashes and urges the driver to take a rest. As the picture suggests, this technology might possibly be expanded to cellphones as well. Does the cap actually work? Heck yes it does… The cap has been credited with reducing the fatality statistics from 40 in 2007 to 27 in 2008. CRC Mining hopes to make these caps readily available in the near future.

VIA: GIZMODO VIA METRO

We’ve been silent for a while now, but enough is enough. Interesting campaign there NIKE. Questionable, but interesting. One suggestion though. Get that #$@&*!! tag off the cap. Puppet or not, let’s have some dignity. The trend was stupid back in the 80’s and even more ridiculous in 2009. The Black plague is retro, but no one wants to see that come back. Teach the children well! This has been a public service announcement from Strictly Fitteds.