The Anatomy of a Fitted Hat
BY GRACE SALVANT
11/8/07
Life & Style
Life & Style
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You will rarely catch Jay-Z, Fabolous, or LL Cool J without one. They come in different colors, sizes and designs, and most men have at least one; the fitted hat. Whether it's yielding a baseball team logo or initials of a hometown, a fitted hat is the "finishing touch" to a man's ensemble.
"I only have one" says Bowie McGilligan, a sophomore English major from Wisconsin. "But it goes with most of my outfits."
Although there are many components that make each hat different from the rest, there are basic elements that are highlighted: the brim, the size and most importantly, the logo.
"I wear a fitted mainly because I like to rep where I'm from," said Erick Vilson, a senior audio production major from New York, who owns about 40 fitted hats.
Sophomore biology major Martin Corniffe agrees. "All I wear are fitteds' that have the letter D on them cuz I'm from Detroit."
Fitted hats have been a trend within the fashion industry since the early 80's. Back then, the wild colors were in style and would be seen gracing the heads of young men at all angles including backwards and shifted to the side. Those trends have returned and have done so with a vengeance in today's fashion world.
Many of those interviewed reported that although they do agree that the logo on the hat is a vital component when shopping for one, it is not as important as its color scheme.
"If I am getting a hat, it must mean that I got an outfit to match it," said Robert Parker, junior marketing major from Tampa, Fla. "I like colors," Vilson said. "I always try to find a hat to match my sneakers."
Any design imagineable, from pin stripes to tie-dye, can be printed on a hat to enhance its wearers style and unique appeal.
But where do these young men find these hats?
"I personally go to New York to spots like 125th street in Harlem" Vilson said. The 'mom and pop' stores, like this one called "My Shirts" in Patterson, N.J., usually have the more exclusive hats. Stores like Footlocker and Champs are too main stream, so they only have the basics."
"I only have one" says Bowie McGilligan, a sophomore English major from Wisconsin. "But it goes with most of my outfits."
Although there are many components that make each hat different from the rest, there are basic elements that are highlighted: the brim, the size and most importantly, the logo.
"I wear a fitted mainly because I like to rep where I'm from," said Erick Vilson, a senior audio production major from New York, who owns about 40 fitted hats.
Sophomore biology major Martin Corniffe agrees. "All I wear are fitteds' that have the letter D on them cuz I'm from Detroit."
Fitted hats have been a trend within the fashion industry since the early 80's. Back then, the wild colors were in style and would be seen gracing the heads of young men at all angles including backwards and shifted to the side. Those trends have returned and have done so with a vengeance in today's fashion world.
Many of those interviewed reported that although they do agree that the logo on the hat is a vital component when shopping for one, it is not as important as its color scheme.
"If I am getting a hat, it must mean that I got an outfit to match it," said Robert Parker, junior marketing major from Tampa, Fla. "I like colors," Vilson said. "I always try to find a hat to match my sneakers."
Any design imagineable, from pin stripes to tie-dye, can be printed on a hat to enhance its wearers style and unique appeal.
But where do these young men find these hats?
"I personally go to New York to spots like 125th street in Harlem" Vilson said. The 'mom and pop' stores, like this one called "My Shirts" in Patterson, N.J., usually have the more exclusive hats. Stores like Footlocker and Champs are too main stream, so they only have the basics."
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David Osaduke
posted 11/11/07 @ 9:07 AM EST
Most interesting article. Have never heard the expression "fitted hat" in my city before. You are talking about caps, aren't you?
I've only made and sold hats that fit the wearer. (Continued…)
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