I hope y'all don't mind that I took last week off but I was worn out from Turkey Day and that's too bad because I had a Part II edition of the previous week's Fresh Fitted Friday by featuring the current Buffalo Bisons cap. What sparked the two-part series is news of New Era Cap closing their manufacturing plant in Derby, New York.
Over the past few years New Era has shifted a good chunk of its production overseas making it increasingly difficult to find US-made caps. I would imagine that in a few years those hats are going to come at a premium on the secondary market similar to the 100% wool/grey-bottom craze that began after New Era switched to the 100% polyester/black-underbrim build in 2007.
So what's the correct course of action here for a cap addict? Do I lie down and die because there's nothing I can do? Do I take a seam-ripper to the New Era logo on my hats? Do I stop buying New Era hats completely and just stick to Ideal Cap Co. and Ebbets Field Flannels? To be honest, I'm not sure but I'm certainly not making a pilgrimage to Buffalo to visit an abandoned cap factory any time soon.
Maybe I need to step back and just appreciate the fact that New Era caps have brought me joy in life thus far.This might also be a window for an up and coming cap producer to arrive on the scene. Just because New Era decided to close up shop doesn't mean that someone else can't take their place. With that in mind, I present to you this week's Fresh Fitted Friday selection:
Because this cap is too small for me, it's going to have to go on the Trading Block so please don't hesitate to reach out if you want this or any other cap from that list and you are willing to part with any of the following part with any of the hats on my Wish List.
Over the past few years New Era has shifted a good chunk of its production overseas making it increasingly difficult to find US-made caps. I would imagine that in a few years those hats are going to come at a premium on the secondary market similar to the 100% wool/grey-bottom craze that began after New Era switched to the 100% polyester/black-underbrim build in 2007.
So what's the correct course of action here for a cap addict? Do I lie down and die because there's nothing I can do? Do I take a seam-ripper to the New Era logo on my hats? Do I stop buying New Era hats completely and just stick to Ideal Cap Co. and Ebbets Field Flannels? To be honest, I'm not sure but I'm certainly not making a pilgrimage to Buffalo to visit an abandoned cap factory any time soon.
Maybe I need to step back and just appreciate the fact that New Era caps have brought me joy in life thus far.This might also be a window for an up and coming cap producer to arrive on the scene. Just because New Era decided to close up shop doesn't mean that someone else can't take their place. With that in mind, I present to you this week's Fresh Fitted Friday selection:
Red, white and blue batterman in honor of caps that are proudly made in the U.S.A.— ok I'll stop now. |
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