Iconic Hats: Newsboy Hats and Ivy Hats

[This is article #8 in a series on iconic hats. It joins The Top Hat, The Bowler, The Fedora, The Cowboy Hat, The Beret, The Baseball Cap, and The Fez.]

^{Newsboy caps and ivy caps – variously known as flat caps, baker boy hats, driving caps, golf caps, English caps, eight-quarter caps, etc. – date to pre-World War I and historically are associated with the working classes. In pictures from this period, as well as in literature, one finds factory workers, laborers, construction workers [there is a famous 1932 photograph by Charles C. Ebbets of construction workers on a beam over NYC - Lunch Atop A Skyscraper -where most are wearing a newsboy or ivy cap], etc. wearing variations of cloth caps. Because this headwear was cut-and-sewn primarily from either cotton or woolen fabrics, variations were plentiful and a man could easily distinguish himself from the next by his choice of color, material (e.g. tweed, herringbone, etc.), or style (cut). Furthermore, these caps were inexpensive when compared to the full size hats of the day like bowlers, top hats, or fedoras, so a person could own more than one and, if so inclined, change his hat from day to day. Because of the small size, soft nature, and portability of these caps, their popularity spread to young professionals, college fraternities ("ivy" cap as in Ivy League), sportsmen ("golf" cap as worn by the likes of Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan), etc. A man accustomed to dressing up for work during the week with a full size hat, could now wear this informal cap on the weekend signaling his "time off" while he pursued leisure activity without stepping down in class.}

^{Today, the popularity of ivy and newsboy hats is perhaps second only to its ubiquity in the early 20th Century. The English-born Kangol 504 cap helped to revitalize this style in the mid to late 1990s. Movie stars, musicians, golfers, fashionistas, skate boarders, people young and old, can be found on a daily basis wearing a newsboy or ivy cap frontwards, backwards, or sideways. . Those who determined that this was "my style" quickly learned that the variations of this headwear style are virtually limitless. Many – like my father – make a hobby of collecting caps and make certain to pick up one or two while traveling in the British Isles or Europe.}

^{Fred Belinsky
VillageHatShop.com} 

 

Comments

[Air Rift]

Significantly valuable your recently amazing post for my attitude. I currently have attained much because of your existing blogs in addition to thus this is my best repute to say on this good feelings together with you.Wish a lot of people could advance much more through the address as well as computer.Offers thanks.

[Round and Brown]

attained much because of your existing blogs in addition to thus this is my best repute to say on this good feelings together with you.Wish a lot of people could

[ed]

good

[jordan 7]

So wonderful posts,like all them.I think you are a happy one.don't stop writing so good post.hope you will get more and more celebrites from other people.thanks for your thoughts about something.

[Best Kippah]

Having a 20th century post amazing..these caps introduces for a very long time .Its a good one..nice sharing.

[Nike Vandal]

Interesting article as for me. It would be great to read a bit more about that topic.

[air jordan 2]

After reading the you nice article. Dear friends, I have just one word to say right now,you are so brilliant. You have a good personality. Good job you do. WISH YOU HAPPY EVERY TIME.

[uggs outlet]

You are right about employees being pushed harder and harder in down times and some employees are not handling the stress of that very well. Certainly, managers need to be aware of the stress level of their staff and make employees aware of company resources that help.

[uggs outlet]

well its soo good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the thing which i was looking for my research.

[cheap air jordans]

The investment future person will be, will be loyal to the reality person#.