Toronto Blue Jays World Series New Era Fitted Hat

When you love a hat, you buy it as many times as you can.  The Blue Jays World Series patch is one of those hats that I need to own multiple times.  What’s funny is, I didn’t even know I owned this extra hat; but I just happened to find it in my collection one day and was pleasantly surprised.  While most people wouldn’t care that it’s an extra hat, for me it’s special because it’s slightly different from my other World Series patch hat because this one is wool.  I love wool hats because I find them more comfortable and their quality is best.  So if New Era releases this hat again in the future, you better believe that I will be buying it again.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wl2SC7oeDY

'47 CLEAN UP Adjustable Hat

I’ve been a die-hard '47 Brand fan for years now, specifically their “Franchise” style hat.  I’ve owned various teams and colour hats, but always in the Franchise style.  Yet I never bought an adjustable version because I didn’t see the purpose of buying another style hat if the Franchise was already perfect.  This all changed recently one day when I noticed two Maple Leafs hats that came in the current Leafs logo from '47 Brand.  However I was shocked when I picked them up to find out that they weren’t the Franchise style, but rather an adjustable style called '47 CLEAN UP.

While in my hands I noticed that the quality was really good.  I then tried them on, and they also looked good on my head (after a little adjusting).  I then decided to give them a try, and so I bought them.  My only concern was the buckle on the back.  When I was younger I owned a Celtics hat that had a leather strap-on, and the metal buckle would always dig into my head when I hit something.  Anyway after a few weeks of wearing these hats, I have to say the buckle and strap hasn’t been a problem and in fact I haven’t even noticed it (I sometimes forget that I’m wearing it).  So overall I’m glad I bought the '47 CLEAN UP and I highly recommend it.

'47 Brand:

www.47brand.com

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ke0WvsSnSSg

Zelda Hylian Shield Hat

I’m not much for wearing video game apparel, but when I first saw this hat I knew I had to get it.  It features the Hylian shield from the Legend of Zelda on the front and comes in this blue colorway.  It also has a strap on the back so you can adjust it to any head size, thankful it fits my big head.

The hat was made by BioWorld, a company that makes a lot of video game and pop culture apparel.  I’m not much for wearing video game stuff (I hate the attention I get), but the design on this hat is simple and clean.  It’s so nice I had to collect a few more hats, lol.

BioWorld:

www.bioworldmerch.com

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/vdhxOZjMPvo

New Era Retro Classic Collection Blue Jays

When it comes to material goods, when I see something that I love I tend to buy it in multiple versions because I’m always cautious that I might never see them again.  This time it’s a New Era retro fitted Blue Jays hat.  Unfortunately just after this release the New Era company announced that they were closing down their New York plant and moving all production to China (though a small number would be made in Miami).  This particular Blue Jays retro hat was made in the USA, so it’s of particular importance to me.

For some reason Made in USA hats are or rather were better quality than those made in China.  This hat is of no exception, it’s beautifully made.  The material is quality, the stitching is clean, and the fit is exact.  This is actually the second version that I’ve bought in this retro style; the first one was all blue, and this version the front is white.  While it’s sad to see New Era hats no longer made in USA, I hope they continue to make fitteds with this kind of quality.

Toronto Blue Jays:

www.bluejays.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LQydIYsZiA

New Era MLB Retro Classic Collection

New Era’s MLB Classic Collection is a throwback to their 90’s Pro Model fitteds.  These retro hats feature 100% wool material, a New Era tag, grey underbrim, white sweatband, flat embroidery, and are made in the USA.  This release has revitalized my interest in New Era fitteds after years of poorly made polyester hats.  I knew it was time to quit collecting on-field fitteds as soon as the MLB batter man was missing his hat, and occasionally the ball on the logo.  Thankfully New Era has corrected all their quality control issues and has made an immaculate product.  Every stitch is perfect, the crown is true the original, and the sizing is correct (past hats could be off by 3 sizes).

Please note that unlike their Heritage Wool series from a few years back the MLB Classic Collection doesn’t have 3D embroidery, the New Era logo on the side of the hat, or a black sweatband.  Admittedly these are more subjective preferences on a fitted that I’m personally indifferent about.  Although I do love seeing the return of the white sweatband, a feature that I used to hate but I have now grown to love.  Just seeing a brand new pristine white sweatband just makes it look so much better.  For now I have only purchased the Away blue, Blue Jays fitted but I do plan on getting the whole Jays collection eventually.

New Era:

https://www.neweracap.com

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/hW-TJnAGB0A

Removing the New Era Logo

New Era makes amazing hats.  However, since I first fell in love with their on-field 59fifty from the late 90’s, I decided that I only want to buy hats that resembled those glory days.  Back then hats were 100% wool, made in the USA, had grey under brims, and didn’t include the New Era logo.  So my reason for making this post isn’t so much to disrespect New Era by removing their logo, but rather it’s to customize my hat to look the way those older fitteds used to look.

In order to remove the logo, the first thing I recommend is to have lots of patience because this task takes lots of time, and concentration.  You want to begin by using a sharp knife that gets under each thread and individually cuts them (while I have seem other customizers use a seam cutter to remove the thread I don’t recommend one because it can warp the wool material).  As your cutting the threads, you also want to use tweezers to detach each thread.  And finally you want to use some tape (I use painters tape) to clean off any excessive threads, which will also leave the wool spotless.  Once you’re done your fitted should resemble a New Era fitted from the past.

New Era:

http://www.neweracap.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJKiDLWijE

St. Patrick’s Day Kelly Green Yankees Hat

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  This is my green Yankees hat that I like to wear every year around St. Patrick’s Day.  Besides the Kelly green colorway it comes in, what makes it special (lucky) is the shamrock on the back.

Brand: Twins Enterprise (47’ Brand)

Team: New York Yankees

Style: The Franchise, "MLB Kelly Franchise"

Additional: Kelly Green colorway, white Shamrock on the back

47’ Brand:

www.47brand.com

Blue Jays Retro Solid Blue Fitted Hat

This style of hat was worn by the Jays from 1989 to 1996.  Although it was occasionally used at home games, I consider it a road game hat.  I like it because the front panels aren’t white making it perfect for everyday use because the dirt won’t show up as easily.  I also like that the underbrim is green, a distinctive feature that honours the hats from the 80’s.

Brand: New Era

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Style: 59Fifty, Fitted, Cooperstown Collection

Additional: Made in USA, 100% Wool, Green Underbrim

New Era:

www.neweracap.com

Dodgers New Era MLB Retro 1981 World Series Patch Fitted

This hat is part of New Era’s World Series patch collection, which features a World Series patch for teams that have won the World Series in the past.  To celebrate my birth year I decided to buy a Los Angeles Dodges version because they were the Champions back in 1981.  New Era tried to stay faithful to the original on-fields by excluding the MLB “batterman” logo on the back, and yet retained contemporary style by using 3D embroidery and a grey underbrim.  While I appreciate the effort, I miss the MLB logo and would have preferred its inclusion.  Besides that, this is a beautiful fitted that I will wear on special occasions.

Brand: New Era

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, L.A. Dodgers

Style: 59Fifty, Fitted, MLB Retro World Series Patch Collection

Additional:  Made in China, 100% Wool, Grey Underbrim, No MLB logo on the back, Embroidered 1981 World Series Patch

Dodgers 1981 Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_World_Series

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgBbyL9UbKA

Blue Jays New Era Heritage Series Fitted Hat

I’ve been a hat collector for a few years now, and one of the things I keep kicking myself over is that I never took care of the hats I bought years ago.  I just used to wear them and not care how they looked.  I didn’t even clean them when they got dirty.  I was fine with that until New Era stopped making wool fitteds and I couldn’t buy them anymore.  Once that happened I started to clean and maintain my wool fitteds so that they could last me as long as possible.  Thankfully New Era never forgot about wool fitted collectors and has released wool fitteds consistently, though in limited runs.

The wool fitted that I’m showcasing here is part of their Heritage Series collection.  The hats are 100% wool and are made similar to the classic MLB hats from the mid 90’s with 3D embroidery, a flat MLB logo, and a grey underbrim.  A nice detail about this fitted is the return of the white sweatband; a feature that I used to hate (it’s funny how you miss something when you don’t have it anymore).  My only complaint about this collection is the inclusion of the New Era logo on the left side.  Other than that this is a beautiful hat that reminds me of the greatness of those 90’s fitteds, and I am delighted that I can now wear one with the current Blue Jays logo.

Brand: New Era

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Style: 59Fifty, Fitted, Heritage Series

Additional:  Made in China, 100% Wool, New Era logo on the side, White Sweatband

New Era:

http://www.neweracap.com/en_us/explore/New_Era_Heritage.aspx

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xjvcEs8rJ4