Recently I have started wearing baseball caps and I learned a lot from your videos. You have the most informative channel that really goes into detail. Thanks very much!
@@dreinthe616 we would love to have you in our 59fifty group. FHS facebook.com/groups/372471383182997/?ref=share Your thorough, concise videos are a great help to our members! Peace from Canada *closed group drop my name. Derek Irwin*
@@johnathondoeofficial I am familiar with the group, and have a lot of respect for what you do with it. Thanks for the praise, and I would love to contribute, but I have thus far stopped short of having any accounts with Facebook. Nonetheless, I appreciate the invitation and may utilize it sometime in the future if things change
Mate you are a god send! This worked a charm for my Giants 59Fifty cap which was too boxed for my head. After trying this I have a nice curve that make the hat not look so weird on my head when I now wear it. Thank you!!
@@dreinthe616 yeh mate it's made a huge difference. I actually played a around with it a little more once I got the hang of hearing it up and moulded it pretty much to my liking. Now I always wear the hat whereas before I would only sporadically wear it because I didn't like how it sat on my head. Thank a million mate 👍🏽
I'm with you. I've noticed that the wide production variances in 5950s means that some are very boxy, and some are rounded. Likewise, some of the low profile ones that I own are almost too low profile.. they feel like a 5950 and a yarmulke had a baby..
Yes!!!! I was so mad when I first received my hats and they looked so stupid. I threw them in a box and forgot about them. A year later I did TH-cam search and found your video. Going to try this today
Cool, good luck with it... I've got plenty more videos on how to stretch, shape and otherwise edit your fitted caps, so go check out my channel when you're looking for more. Thanks!
Gonna have to try this on my Arizona hat I almost returned it Cause I absolutely hated the squared look to it when just a couple weeks before I bought a white Sox hat and it was rounded. Thanks for this
Hey man, First of all, your videos are nothing short of incredible. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and taking your time to help other hat enthusiasts. I have a question, can you utilize a size 1 soccer ball to shape the back as well? I’m trying to get a crease free, stiff look all around, like how the crown is on the 59fifty. TIA!!!
It's all about the form you use - here I used the soccer ball for roundness, but if you wanted more flat you could look for something like a pot or saucepan with a smaller radius on the bottom, and a small enough diameter to fit in the cap. Then substitute that form for the soccer ball during the techniques that I showed, thanks.
Your vids have helped me out so much. Thanks for posting. I use to not be a fan of 59fiftys now they are all i buy now that you have showed us pro tips on how to make them great hats. Thanks sir!
Great video! Thanks, I have actually stopped buying caps by mail (eg Lids) because of this weird shape. Might well help to get myself a size 1 soccer ball. I wish there was something solid and heat resistant to put in there (bocce ball too small, hmmm) so I could touch it up before I wear it by just sticking the hard ball in there and heating it up a wee bit from the outside of the cap (while working it over the ball if necessary). I’ll keep thinking, gotta be something perfect size and hard composition (candlepin bowling ball? Lol). Thank you for your videos.
You are welcome, thank you for the comments... and maybe there are some places out there where you can get an actual mannequin head from an old retail store. I've often thought that might be the best form, but harder to find than a soccer ball!
Could you just place the cap on your head and press the crown against your actual head after you heat it up so it takes your head form, or do you think it’ll be to hot?
Good question, yes, you can do that, in fact I showed that method in my very first posted video on stretching and shaping... but if you've got short hair or a receding hairline it gets really hot and uncomfortable. It can also leave 'grooves' in the buckram where you hold your fingers, so the ball is better for smoothness too, thanks.
How do I remove the pointy top of my trucker hat? Would love to send you a pic or what I’m talking about. But I bought adidas trucker hat and not a fan of the high point top
It's pretty tough to do that because the fold there is very stiff, almost all truckers are made in this way. But that style of 5-panel caps is now coming back strong with the 9Forty A-Frames and Golfers from New Era, and the Hitch from 47 Brand.
I would say yes, but you’ll need to carefully control the time and distance you expose the cap to it. And proceed slowly until you know the buckram becomes soft and able to shape.
It's a lot harder than it seems - there is a lot of material and volume in the crown, and it has to go somewhere when you try to reduce the height. In the third portion of my first video I show a way to heat with a hair dryer and mold it a little more to your head, you can see that here if interested - th-cam.com/video/8N-EL-rmgIc/w-d-xo.html - thanks.
Will this work with a trucker hat? I just got a new cap and it’s outrageously boxy and high and makes me look like my head is about 6 inches taller under the hat. I hate it! But it’s a beautiful cap so I don’t want to give up on it!
Depends on if it has the buckram (stiff plastic/linen woven fabric) under the front two panels. You can find a video on my channel "Stretching and Shaping Mesh Back Fitted Caps" if that's the case. But this technique won't work if its a foam trucker, thanks.
Have never done that, but I don't think it has much chance of success. Heat and moisture are important in shaping, but so is the presence of some kind of form (whether an insert like this or a hat jack). I don't think passively leaving it out in the sun will do anything for it.
I've answered that question in the comments here a few times - you can use this process of steaming, but you just need to find a different form that has the shape you are looking for, thanks.
Great video as always Doug, have you ever did the inverse process? I mean, shaping a rounded crown into a more square shape, I'm asking this because I prefer a more square crown because of the shape of my face and head. Thanks!
I've never done it personally, but I think the easiest way to do this would be to heat the buckram as shown in the video, and then press the crown and button against a flat surface like a table or countertop as the buckram cools off. Don't press too far, just try and hold it flat, close to the way you'd like it to look. Thanks for the question and good luck.
I did one showing three different ways to curve - th-cam.com/video/r5i3ZlAIMG8/w-d-xo.html - or you can find other how-to videos on my channel page, thanks.
awesome content sir....very precise and informative. I was going to purchase 9fifty but my head size is medium. So should I go for small-medium or medium -large size? I mean i prefer the one which is perfectly shaped.
The structured crowns in New Era caps have plastic fibers woven through the buckram, which gives the front two panels the stiffness. If your cap material is not stiff and structured, it probably won't hold a shape.
I will never understand why New Era squares the top of the 59FIFTY and the 9FIFTY. Nobody wants to wear a baseball cap feeling like they are wearing a box on their heads.
Believe it or not, there are many Fitted cap fans that prefer the boxed look - I've had many questions about how to create that shape. I think the best attribute of the structured crown and the buckram is that they retain the shape, so they can be customized to the wearers preference (to a certain extent).
@@Padres-sv1lr Your statement sounds clownish. Obviously, the majority of people like the flat brim, flat type style best. That is the reason it dominates in sales, genius.
I actually get that question quite a bit, may need to make a video soon. Anyway, just like I used a soccer ball as a round form, you could repeat the process but use a different form to mold the cap - maybe you could find a small pot or saucepan that has the flat top and a small radius... that might give the look you want, thanks.
I've not personally done anything with that area, but some viewers have commented that they apply either liquid or spray starch to those four panels... although I'd recommend having some support under those panels before applying any starch.
I'd curve the visor before shaping the crown... I usually like to shape the crown last, because it's the most sensitive, and it's best not to expose it to more steam/heat when curving the visor.
Shaping the buckram area of the crown will work with any cap that has the same kind of structured buckram that exists in New Era caps. This video was a standard 59Fifty.
It really depends the power from your hair dryer... with mine it was probably between 50 and 70 seconds. But that's why I say do it until the buckram gets soft under pressure from your fingers... that's the best way to know when you can shape it, and I don't want anyone to get upset if they start melting fibers based upon a simple time recommendation, thanks.
Interesting, its the rise in these flat brim hats they are trying to make it look more like those. I like the flat look in its own right but I think round when I picture a ball cap
No suggestions for that - it would be exceptionally hard to do, because to make it that much smaller you would need to be removing material... there's just nowhere for the material to go on a standard 59Fifty. Best hope is to shape it, and thanks for the comments.
I've never gone that direction personally, but as the title of the video suggests, it's probably a matter of finding the right form, then applying the techniques shown here, thanks.
Hi Doug. Great video! I really like the idea with the ball and plan to give it a try tomorrow. Regarding the hairdryer, what do you think about using steam instead to get the material soft and then use the ball? Or would you definitely recommend using a hairdryer instead? Thank you, really appreciate your ideas, great stuff!
It's the heat that makes the buckram "moldable", so you can do it with steam too. Just don't overdo it with the moisture absorption by holding it over the steam for too long. You can actually place the ball inside the cap, press outward, and then steam the front panels with the form in place. Thanks!
@@dreinthe616 Thank you very much Doug! I tried it this morning (with a hairdryer) and it worked very well! I did this with multiple hats now, it worked well for all of them. I have to say by using your advice the joy in my hats increased so much! I finally stopped looking like a train conductor when wearing my hats 😊 So thank you very much, you truly are an expert in this topic!! Did you ever try this with a different brand than New Era? I have a couple of 47 hats and the buckram is a bit different, softer.
The risk is distorting/deforming the plastic fibers running through the buckram - it might take on a "wilted" appearance, or look kind of shriveled in the front panels.
What would you recommend if the crown just seems super wide? I bought a minor league team 5950 hat the other day and it just looks massive on my head compared to my other fitted hats
I don't have any recommendations for that, it usually comes from excess material - and that material needs somewhere to go, so it's very hard to shape. Part of normal variation in NE caps, unfortunately.
Sometimes there's not much you can do that will lower the height of the crown. Best thing to do is to try and press it back the way I show in the last part of this other video that I created - th-cam.com/video/8N-EL-rmgIc/w-d-xo.html - thanks.
I want my hat to look like yours, it seems to have a wider crown, mine is really boxxy and narrow and square and it just looks narrow too on my head, is the hat you are wearing one you've made look wider? it looks like the crown is as wide as the peak goes, which is what i want, the one i got the crown appears much narrower than the peak, like just a narrow box, if you catch my drift
Yeah, I'm following you... the worst thing about New Era caps is the variation from cap to cap - even if they are showing the same size. I do a lot of steam shaping (go to my channel for some break-in and shaping tutorials), but sometimes it's just the base construction of the cap that limits what you can do, thanks for the question.
Do the hats you order online also fit too big? I’ve had two or three hats that I’ve gotten online that fit a little too big and also look boxy. I swear I’m a 7 1/4 so when buying in store they always fit just right, but not when I get them online.
Do you suppose after getting the initial shape, once the material is starting to cool, could you put in on and form it to your own head? I know you need to make sure it's not too hot, but I've got caps with a peak and really dislike that. I do want it round though so I need the best of both worlds lol Good video though, thank you!
Yes, you can definitely do that... I've done it before, and the trick is to press evenly enough with your palms, so that you don't get dents from your fingers. Also helps to put a light cloth over your head, like a bandanna, to insulate from the heat. Thanks!
@@bmiller.0 No videos like that, sorry - but I will say that steam is the oldest and best tool for manipulating any kind of fabric/textile... the most recent video I posted shows a couple of ways to use steam to smooth out parts of a cap.
A teapot is the other go-to... get it steaming, then you can hold the outside front panels over the steam and get the small soccer ball (or similar) ready to press from the inside. It doesn't take long for the steam to soften the material, so make sure you don't overdo it! Thanks
Great question, and yes I believe it does, if just a little bit... I actually had to put this on the hat jack again - partly because of the hat itself, but partly because of the shaping that I did. Thanks!
I sometimes wear my fitteds backwards, and it's not completely straight under the batter logo. There seems to be a slight drop in the middle and was wondering if I could try anything to fix it. Thanks in advance & good video I love breaking in these new hats
Cool, thank you. On your question, it's pretty tough to get that area to hold shape... in the front the buckram provides the structure, but when you get to those back four panels, it's just the fabric of course, and it tends to lay down a bit if it's not filled out by your head. Don't have a good tip for that one, but thanks for the question.
Hey Dre, love the videos! I used your steam method to curve the bill and shape the crown of a MLB on field cap, but I think I might've overdone it, since the buckram and the cardboard bill are really flimsy/soft and thin-ish now, although I never went as far as burning the material. It happened less than 24hrs ago, so maybe I should give it some time and it's gonna regain it's stiffness, or it's gone? Is this normal when re-shaping with steam? Thanks
Hey, sorry to hear that... I actually overheated a cap in the dryer a long time ago (lesson learned) and it stayed softer from then on. Hopefully it came back a little when it dried out, because I am not aware of any good ways to add the stiffness and structure back in. Thanks for your comments!
Starch for clothes in an aerosol can from walmart bring the stiffness back. But you have to shape it at the same time. Got some little creases out from my hat with some spray starch.
Does your 7 run small? Or does it feel like a true 7? I have a couple 7s that are incredibly tight on my head, and there is absolutely no way I could get them to a 7 1/4 without doing some serious damage to the hat. I am comfortable going 1/8" of an inch larger, but that's about it.
Depends a lot on the manufacturing site - I've got a couple of videos at my channel that look into this. And caps made in Bangladesh have gotten a reputation for having high and square crowns.
Even then mlb players have to work their hats in. So you expect a hat to be molded for each head on the planet? Good luck with that. Even hatmakers can‘t mold it. Every hat has to be adjusted to wearers head by wear or by heat
Thank you, appreciate it - and you might be interested in this other technique too, which was my most recent post - th-cam.com/video/e9pSynl4O7M/w-d-xo.html
Low profile is definitely the way to go, they’re always selling out too it blows my mind new era hasn’t noticed that to offer more selections in that style. To each their own but I don’t see how anyone honestly likes the look of a standard 5950. It’s like people have to do so much to it just to wear it, not for me I like to buy a hat, put it on my head and go
Hey thanks for the comment - it's always a personal choice... I much prefer the volume in the crown of the standard 59Fifty for comfort, and when you have a beard or a longer/larger face shape, the extra height in the crown provides more balance and a better look.
Hey Scott, thanks for the comment... I actually really enjoy the ritual of shaping and breaking in my caps - I guess 'customizing' a freshly purchased cap is as much a tradition for me as my morning coffee!
If you like that type of crown, you may be interested in finding current/new caps that are made in Bangladesh - some of those are a return to that full box look. I did a whole video about the phenomenon - th-cam.com/video/G5Kxr7Fp-u8/w-d-xo.html - ICYI, thanks.
Save time and buy the low profile 5950. Unless you want a NBA hat you can find some pretty good hats! Literally buy it and can just throw it on your head without looking like an idiot with a massive box on your head
Style is always a personal choice... there's a counter point that if you've got a larger face shape or chin, the low profile starts to look too small (with some "dad cap" styles, it gets even worse). Personally I find that the extra space in the standard crown helps a lot with comfort as well.
I agree I guess it’s just because my head is so small, in my opinion I feel like I look ridiculous in the standard. I absolutely can’t stand that big boxy look. I’ll never wear dad caps lol, not a big fan of straps....low profile just fits me best but once in a blue moon I’m forced to buy a standard because I love the hat so much and for whatever reason new era is limited with their low pros, which I don’t understand everyone I know loves them and they’re always sold out of the most popular sizes online
@@scottcraigen630 I hear you... it's really my beard that actually balances the higher crown on the standard model from an appearance standpoint. And the more recent 'large' collections like Clubhouse or BP seem to feature more low profile offers than a few years ago, at least from what I've observed. Thanks for your comments!
Recently I have started wearing baseball caps and I learned a lot from your videos. You have the most informative channel that really goes into detail. Thanks very much!
That's what I like to hear, you are welcome and thanks for watching!
Just tried it on my new bulls hat and it looks so much better after this thanks a lot will be doing this on ALL my new era hats
instablaster...
I love how quick and easy this was and really transformed the look of my cap and looks so original. Definitely the best cap guy on TH-cam
Glad it worked out well for you, and I appreciate the comments!
@@dreinthe616 we would love to have you in our 59fifty group.
FHS
facebook.com/groups/372471383182997/?ref=share
Your thorough, concise videos are a great help to our members!
Peace from Canada
*closed group drop my name. Derek Irwin*
@@johnathondoeofficial I am familiar with the group, and have a lot of respect for what you do with it. Thanks for the praise, and I would love to contribute, but I have thus far stopped short of having any accounts with Facebook. Nonetheless, I appreciate the invitation and may utilize it sometime in the future if things change
Mate you are a god send! This worked a charm for my Giants 59Fifty cap which was too boxed for my head. After trying this I have a nice curve that make the hat not look so weird on my head when I now wear it. Thank you!!
That's what I like to hear, glad I could help out!
@@dreinthe616 yeh mate it's made a huge difference. I actually played a around with it a little more once I got the hang of hearing it up and moulded it pretty much to my liking. Now I always wear the hat whereas before I would only sporadically wear it because I didn't like how it sat on my head. Thank a million mate 👍🏽
@@basilsubh9608yeah wear that hat! Haha.
I’ve got it rounded but it still isn’t perfect like a low profile, do you keep using steam over and over then?
Good video. I switched to low profile 5950 for this very reason, really don't like the flat/boxy look.
I'm with you. I've noticed that the wide production variances in 5950s means that some are very boxy, and some are rounded. Likewise, some of the low profile ones that I own are almost too low profile.. they feel like a 5950 and a yarmulke had a baby..
I don’t think anybody does. Even the mlb players hate it
anyone know my one of my caps has a more stiff front end
like the back of my hat is round and not flat like you usually see other hats
Where do u get ur low profile hats?
Yes!!!! I was so mad when I first received my hats and they looked so stupid. I threw them in a box and forgot about them. A year later I did TH-cam search and found your video. Going to try this today
Cool, good luck with it... I've got plenty more videos on how to stretch, shape and otherwise edit your fitted caps, so go check out my channel when you're looking for more. Thanks!
Thanks for the video! I just did this to about ten of my caps - such a game changer!
Awesome, I want to figure the opposite and square my crown more, any ideas yall
doug, what is your opinion on the Yankee With No Brim?
My opinion? Well, it was a missed opportunity to turn the brim into a mask, for going out during a pandemic...
Gonna have to try this on my Arizona hat I almost returned it Cause I absolutely hated the squared look to it when just a couple weeks before I bought a white Sox hat and it was rounded. Thanks for this
You are welcome, hope it helps to make it a better cap for you, thanks.
Hey man,
First of all, your videos are nothing short of incredible. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and taking your time to help other hat enthusiasts.
I have a question, can you utilize a size 1 soccer ball to shape the back as well? I’m trying to get a crease free, stiff look all around, like how the crown is on the 59fifty. TIA!!!
Is there a opposite method for making a crown flat if it comes rounded off ? I actually prefer the flat look
It's all about the form you use - here I used the soccer ball for roundness, but if you wanted more flat you could look for something like a pot or saucepan with a smaller radius on the bottom, and a small enough diameter to fit in the cap. Then substitute that form for the soccer ball during the techniques that I showed, thanks.
Yess please make a video of you doing the method the other way around!
Can you make a video going through the process of making your custom dre in the 616 cap?
I’m so glad you make these videos thank you for the info
Right on, I am happy to help - thank you!
how do i square it ?
How long do I keep the ball in the hat for?
Until it has cooled off close to room temperature again... those plastic fibers in the buckram need to cool off so they can maintain the form.
@@dreinthe616 does it work for a 20% wool, 80% acrylic cap?
@@dreinthe616 Oh I see what you mean. The two panels at the front are the buckram fibers that give it the shape..Thanks!
Your vids have helped me out so much. Thanks for posting. I use to not be a fan of 59fiftys now they are all i buy now that you have showed us pro tips on how to make them great hats. Thanks sir!
Really cool, thank you for posting that - appreciate the praise, and I'm glad I could help out with your opinion of the 59Fifty!
Does this work on a dri fit hat? Imperial Wrightson to be exact.
Should you curve the bill before rounding off the crown?
Yes, I usually do that... curving the visor can lend a little curve to the crown too, so it’s good to do it first, thanks
Is there a specific size of a skills ball needed? TIA
I think I mentioned during the video, but this is a Size 1, aka Skills Ball, thx.
Would this work on a mesh foam front trucker cap?
Life saver…Your doing the Lords work.
I just got a Mitchell & Ness SnapBack hat with a huge box. Wonder if this fix it?
I don't have a hair dryer, what should I do?
Good video thanks hat fanatic, I have like 2 hats that came like that and I hate it but am goin to fix my problem now 💪🏻
Right on, good to hear, thanks!
Good video, very helpful!
This is exactly what i was looking for, hate the flat crowns
Would this work if I wanted to make a round hat more boxy?
Please scroll through the comments, I believe I've answered that question once or twice already, thanks.
Great video! Thanks, I have actually stopped buying caps by mail (eg Lids) because of this weird shape. Might well help to get myself a size 1 soccer ball. I wish there was something solid and heat resistant to put in there (bocce ball too small, hmmm) so I could touch it up before I wear it by just sticking the hard ball in there and heating it up a wee bit from the outside of the cap (while working it over the ball if necessary). I’ll keep thinking, gotta be something perfect size and hard composition (candlepin bowling ball? Lol). Thank you for your videos.
You are welcome, thank you for the comments... and maybe there are some places out there where you can get an actual mannequin head from an old retail store. I've often thought that might be the best form, but harder to find than a soccer ball!
@@dreinthe616 Now thats a good idea. I'm gonna look.
Thanks Dre
I like the boxy look but all my fitteds came roubded
Could you put your hat near the fireplace as an alternative to the steam method?
The moisture from steam helps relax the fibers, and a fireplace is not a controlled source of heat, so I would say not.
Could you just place the cap on your head and press the crown against your actual head after you heat it up so it takes your head form, or do you think it’ll be to hot?
Good question, yes, you can do that, in fact I showed that method in my very first posted video on stretching and shaping... but if you've got short hair or a receding hairline it gets really hot and uncomfortable. It can also leave 'grooves' in the buckram where you hold your fingers, so the ball is better for smoothness too, thanks.
How do I remove the pointy top of my trucker hat? Would love to send you a pic or what I’m talking about. But I bought adidas trucker hat and not a fan of the high point top
It's pretty tough to do that because the fold there is very stiff, almost all truckers are made in this way. But that style of 5-panel caps is now coming back strong with the 9Forty A-Frames and Golfers from New Era, and the Hitch from 47 Brand.
will be doing this on my next 59
Was this oakland a's cap made in vietnam?
Can you use a heat gun ? On low temp
I would say yes, but you’ll need to carefully control the time and distance you expose the cap to it. And proceed slowly until you know the buckram becomes soft and able to shape.
Can you make just the crown of the cap smaller so it's not so high up on your head?
It's a lot harder than it seems - there is a lot of material and volume in the crown, and it has to go somewhere when you try to reduce the height. In the third portion of my first video I show a way to heat with a hair dryer and mold it a little more to your head, you can see that here if interested - th-cam.com/video/8N-EL-rmgIc/w-d-xo.html - thanks.
This is great!!! I recently got an Expos hat from NE that is crazy flat and this worked perfectly.
Right on, thanks for posting!
Will this work with a trucker hat? I just got a new cap and it’s outrageously boxy and high and makes me look like my head is about 6 inches taller under the hat. I hate it! But it’s a beautiful cap so I don’t want to give up on it!
Depends on if it has the buckram (stiff plastic/linen woven fabric) under the front two panels. You can find a video on my channel "Stretching and Shaping Mesh Back Fitted Caps" if that's the case. But this technique won't work if its a foam trucker, thanks.
link to the black with white cardenal hat?
I bought that one about six years ago, haven't seen one since... you're probably better off with a general search on the web, thx.
Can you set the hat out in the sun for a while and shape it?
Have never done that, but I don't think it has much chance of success. Heat and moisture are important in shaping, but so is the presence of some kind of form (whether an insert like this or a hat jack). I don't think passively leaving it out in the sun will do anything for it.
i perfer boxy crown. but some of my hat are round，and i dont like it. how i make it from round to boxy 😂
Same I like mine boxy too.
I've answered that question in the comments here a few times - you can use this process of steaming, but you just need to find a different form that has the shape you are looking for, thanks.
Great video as always Doug, have you ever did the inverse process? I mean, shaping a rounded crown into a more square shape, I'm asking this because I prefer a more square crown because of the shape of my face and head. Thanks!
I've never done it personally, but I think the easiest way to do this would be to heat the buckram as shown in the video, and then press the crown and button against a flat surface like a table or countertop as the buckram cools off. Don't press too far, just try and hold it flat, close to the way you'd like it to look. Thanks for the question and good luck.
@@dreinthe616 Dear Doug, thank you so much for your help and your prompt answer as usual. I'll give it a try and I'll let you know.
Do a brim curving tutorial
I did one showing three different ways to curve - th-cam.com/video/r5i3ZlAIMG8/w-d-xo.html - or you can find other how-to videos on my channel page, thanks.
U from gr?
What if you don't have a ball like that
Stuff a towel or t-shirts in there and try to press outward when it's heated.
awesome content sir....very precise and informative. I was going to purchase 9fifty but my head size is medium. So should I go for small-medium or medium -large size? I mean i prefer the one which is perfectly shaped.
I think you are talking about a 39Thirty? I usually go to the larger side, so I’d suggest the medium-large for you. Thank you!
Can this technique work the same on a 9fifty? Nice vid brotha
Yep, should work the same, since the front construction is the same - thanks!
Hey Dre. I believe u have seen a THE PERFECT GAME hat and in the inside there is like a thin material on the crown. Can I still shape the crown ?
The structured crowns in New Era caps have plastic fibers woven through the buckram, which gives the front two panels the stiffness. If your cap material is not stiff and structured, it probably won't hold a shape.
I will never understand why New Era squares the top of the 59FIFTY and the 9FIFTY. Nobody wants to wear a baseball cap feeling like they are wearing a box on their heads.
Believe it or not, there are many Fitted cap fans that prefer the boxed look - I've had many questions about how to create that shape. I think the best attribute of the structured crown and the buckram is that they retain the shape, so they can be customized to the wearers preference (to a certain extent).
And those people are straight up clowns. The worst thing to happen to new era is the completely flat brim box top trend that dominates fitted hats.
Why don't you just speak about what you like?
You don't know what other people like.
@@Padres-sv1lr Your statement sounds clownish.
Obviously, the majority of people like the flat brim, flat type style best.
That is the reason it dominates in sales, genius.
@@poseyjames4365 why do you care what I talk about?
I need that Orioles cap on the bottom right.
How can i do the opposite, i have a very round hat that use to be more square and i want ti reshape it back to a more squared look.
I actually get that question quite a bit, may need to make a video soon. Anyway, just like I used a soccer ball as a round form, you could repeat the process but use a different form to mold the cap - maybe you could find a small pot or saucepan that has the flat top and a small radius... that might give the look you want, thanks.
Any idea for how to give more form to the non- buckram part of the hat? i.e. the back part
I've not personally done anything with that area, but some viewers have commented that they apply either liquid or spray starch to those four panels... although I'd recommend having some support under those panels before applying any starch.
If you're gonna put a lot of curve into the bill, should that be done before or after you heat up and shape the inside?
I'd curve the visor before shaping the crown... I usually like to shape the crown last, because it's the most sensitive, and it's best not to expose it to more steam/heat when curving the visor.
Is there a way to square up a fitted if its round on the crown?
I've answered this question several times in the comments on this video, please scroll through to see some, thanks.
Is this just for low profile caps or all caps?
Shaping the buckram area of the crown will work with any cap that has the same kind of structured buckram that exists in New Era caps. This video was a standard 59Fifty.
Does this cause the hat to shrink
No, you're just shaping the buckram in the crown.
So how long specifically do you recommend to heat the cap with the hair dryer?
It really depends the power from your hair dryer... with mine it was probably between 50 and 70 seconds. But that's why I say do it until the buckram gets soft under pressure from your fingers... that's the best way to know when you can shape it, and I don't want anyone to get upset if they start melting fibers based upon a simple time recommendation, thanks.
@@dreinthe616 Appreciate it
Interesting, its the rise in these flat brim hats they are trying to make it look more like those. I like the flat look in its own right but I think round when I picture a ball cap
hi first time coming across your channel and thoroughly enjoyed it. Any feedback on making a high crown fitted into a low crown?
No suggestions for that - it would be exceptionally hard to do, because to make it that much smaller you would need to be removing material... there's just nowhere for the material to go on a standard 59Fifty. Best hope is to shape it, and thanks for the comments.
@@dreinthe616 thanks for the prompt response I appreciate the feedback. Keep the awesome vids going
Any suggestions how to square a crown on the fitted ? I just ordered a cap that came rounded
I've never gone that direction personally, but as the title of the video suggests, it's probably a matter of finding the right form, then applying the techniques shown here, thanks.
Hi Doug. Great video! I really like the idea with the ball and plan to give it a try tomorrow. Regarding the hairdryer, what do you think about using steam instead to get the material soft and then use the ball? Or would you definitely recommend using a hairdryer instead? Thank you, really appreciate your ideas, great stuff!
It's the heat that makes the buckram "moldable", so you can do it with steam too. Just don't overdo it with the moisture absorption by holding it over the steam for too long. You can actually place the ball inside the cap, press outward, and then steam the front panels with the form in place. Thanks!
@@dreinthe616 Thank you very much Doug! I tried it this morning (with a hairdryer) and it worked very well! I did this with multiple hats now, it worked well for all of them.
I have to say by using your advice the joy in my hats increased so much!
I finally stopped looking like a train conductor when wearing my hats 😊
So thank you very much, you truly are an expert in this topic!!
Did you ever try this with a different brand than New Era?
I have a couple of 47 hats and the buckram is a bit different, softer.
If you do overheat it, what will happen?
The risk is distorting/deforming the plastic fibers running through the buckram - it might take on a "wilted" appearance, or look kind of shriveled in the front panels.
What would you recommend if the crown just seems super wide? I bought a minor league team 5950 hat the other day and it just looks massive on my head compared to my other fitted hats
I don't have any recommendations for that, it usually comes from excess material - and that material needs somewhere to go, so it's very hard to shape. Part of normal variation in NE caps, unfortunately.
dre in the 616 damn man it’s so bad it’s like I’m chalking it up as a loss and never gonna wear it
That shape is honestly fire that’s the made in bangladesh
Is this the solve to my problem that the crown so tall
Sometimes there's not much you can do that will lower the height of the crown. Best thing to do is to try and press it back the way I show in the last part of this other video that I created - th-cam.com/video/8N-EL-rmgIc/w-d-xo.html - thanks.
@@dreinthe616 so maybe my head isnt for fitteds ;d??? - thanks
@@ViljanenV Sometimes that is true... but if you can find them, I would recommend the Low Profile version of the 59Fifty, which has a lower crown.
Where did you get your braves hat?
It’s from the Wool Flip collection, somewhere in 2017-2018, I bought mine from Lids.com at the time.
@@dreinthe616 Unfortunately for me it looks like it’s not being sold anymore. It looks really good in your collection
I want my hat to look like yours, it seems to have a wider crown, mine is really boxxy and narrow and square and it just looks narrow too on my head, is the hat you are wearing one you've made look wider? it looks like the crown is as wide as the peak goes, which is what i want, the one i got the crown appears much narrower than the peak, like just a narrow box, if you catch my drift
Yeah, I'm following you... the worst thing about New Era caps is the variation from cap to cap - even if they are showing the same size. I do a lot of steam shaping (go to my channel for some break-in and shaping tutorials), but sometimes it's just the base construction of the cap that limits what you can do, thanks for the question.
Do the hats you order online also fit too big? I’ve had two or three hats that I’ve gotten online that fit a little too big and also look boxy. I swear I’m a 7 1/4 so when buying in store they always fit just right, but not when I get them online.
Yes, the variation is really a problem - I made a video about it, too - th-cam.com/video/aeZ0olFQQyc/w-d-xo.html - ICYI, thanks.
They did you dirty sending you that hat like that 🤣
Ha, no doubt... seems like about half the caps I receive come this way these days!
Do you suppose after getting the initial shape, once the material is starting to cool, could you put in on and form it to your own head? I know you need to make sure it's not too hot, but I've got caps with a peak and really dislike that. I do want it round though so I need the best of both worlds lol
Good video though, thank you!
Yes, you can definitely do that... I've done it before, and the trick is to press evenly enough with your palms, so that you don't get dents from your fingers. Also helps to put a light cloth over your head, like a bandanna, to insulate from the heat. Thanks!
@@dreinthe616 do you have any videos on removing wrinkles from an unstructured trucker cap and forming those?
@@bmiller.0 No videos like that, sorry - but I will say that steam is the oldest and best tool for manipulating any kind of fabric/textile... the most recent video I posted shows a couple of ways to use steam to smooth out parts of a cap.
Hi Doug, saw your cleaning method on last video. Have you tried Horse Brush on your Caps, are you recommend it?
Hey John, I’ve never tried one - I’ve only used the foam or specific cap brushes from hat vendors. Thanks
Hey man, i really want to do this but i dont have a hairdryer. (smh) Do you have any alternatives to something else i can use instead?
A teapot is the other go-to... get it steaming, then you can hold the outside front panels over the steam and get the small soccer ball (or similar) ready to press from the inside. It doesn't take long for the steam to soften the material, so make sure you don't overdo it! Thanks
Does this make the hat fit a little more snug?
Great question, and yes I believe it does, if just a little bit... I actually had to put this on the hat jack again - partly because of the hat itself, but partly because of the shaping that I did. Thanks!
@@dreinthe616 thank you! Great video, I'll have to try this on a boxy hat this fits a little loose!
I sometimes wear my fitteds backwards, and it's not completely straight under the batter logo. There seems to be a slight drop in the middle and was wondering if I could try anything to fix it. Thanks in advance & good video I love breaking in these new hats
Cool, thank you. On your question, it's pretty tough to get that area to hold shape... in the front the buckram provides the structure, but when you get to those back four panels, it's just the fabric of course, and it tends to lay down a bit if it's not filled out by your head. Don't have a good tip for that one, but thanks for the question.
Hey Dre, love the videos!
I used your steam method to curve the bill and shape the crown of a MLB on field cap, but I think I might've overdone it, since the buckram and the cardboard bill are really flimsy/soft and thin-ish now, although I never went as far as burning the material. It happened less than 24hrs ago, so maybe I should give it some time and it's gonna regain it's stiffness, or it's gone? Is this normal when re-shaping with steam?
Thanks
Hey, sorry to hear that... I actually overheated a cap in the dryer a long time ago (lesson learned) and it stayed softer from then on. Hopefully it came back a little when it dried out, because I am not aware of any good ways to add the stiffness and structure back in. Thanks for your comments!
Starch for clothes in an aerosol can from walmart bring the stiffness back. But you have to shape it at the same time. Got some little creases out from my hat with some spray starch.
amazingly helpful
Thanks for the knowledge! This helped out a lot. I also found a 6in smooth styrofoam ball works great for this, almost identical to a skills ball
Question I got 6 5950 size 7 will the hat jack really give it a stretch close to 7 1/4
Does your 7 run small? Or does it feel like a true 7? I have a couple 7s that are incredibly tight on my head, and there is absolutely no way I could get them to a 7 1/4 without doing some serious damage to the hat. I am comfortable going 1/8" of an inch larger, but that's about it.
You should put the cap on after it and slowly turn side to side thats what people want to see the after shots please thanks my bro
I have done that a few times in newer videos, but did not do it a lot at the time of making this one, thanks.
I feel like the crown is getting taller these days. What is up with that? It’s annoying especially if you buy it online and they don’t accept returns.
Depends a lot on the manufacturing site - I've got a couple of videos at my channel that look into this. And caps made in Bangladesh have gotten a reputation for having high and square crowns.
Great video! Thanks for the ideas. Its crazy that you pay 40 or more for a cap then have to do all this just to make it look like it should
Even then mlb players have to work their hats in. So you expect a hat to be molded for each head on the planet? Good luck with that. Even hatmakers can‘t mold it. Every hat has to be adjusted to wearers head by wear or by heat
@@alistuzlak lol, you sound like a shill for new era. For 40 bucks yes I would like a round top cap. I don't know anyone with a flat top head
I don't like the round look, I like the box look
Whoa, found my answer I think!😂
Appreciate you man
Thank you - glad to help out
I have a small collection of MiLB hats, and some of them could use this treatment if I can get the wife to lend me her dryer.
man i love U!
greetings from germany
Thanks, man - appreciate the praise! Greetings from the USA!
How to size down your hat
You should watch my video here - th-cam.com/video/dd3OlK_w_Qw/w-d-xo.html - thanks.
just got oakland athletics very flat. Took the sticker off before realizing it. Otherwise would send it back
Dude this video is it, I get hats that are too boxy and square around the corner, it varies so much and really depends on who makes it
Thank you, appreciate it - and you might be interested in this other technique too, which was my most recent post - th-cam.com/video/e9pSynl4O7M/w-d-xo.html
Just buy the low crown or low profile 5950. Then you don’t have to shape them.
Yup that's what I did, it looks better on bigger heads too like mine.
Low profile is definitely the way to go, they’re always selling out too it blows my mind new era hasn’t noticed that to offer more selections in that style. To each their own but I don’t see how anyone honestly likes the look of a standard 5950. It’s like people have to do so much to it just to wear it, not for me I like to buy a hat, put it on my head and go
Hey thanks for the comment - it's always a personal choice... I much prefer the volume in the crown of the standard 59Fifty for comfort, and when you have a beard or a longer/larger face shape, the extra height in the crown provides more balance and a better look.
Hey Scott, thanks for the comment... I actually really enjoy the ritual of shaping and breaking in my caps - I guess 'customizing' a freshly purchased cap is as much a tradition for me as my morning coffee!
That's what I do, when possible. Some of the harder-to-find hats aren't available in the low profile form.
I can not find that hat anywhere.
It’s on hat club. Ordered it yesterday
Gonna try this on my 9Fifty.
Might need a giant runic cube to square my hat
By the time stores are open. New era has its reblocking service. It is free :)
szikam tego ale 39thirty i kurwa nie moge nigdzie znalezc
New era started with boxy crowns…. Up until the late 90s they were always boxy and this is why I only collect vintage hats !
If you like that type of crown, you may be interested in finding current/new caps that are made in Bangladesh - some of those are a return to that full box look. I did a whole video about the phenomenon - th-cam.com/video/G5Kxr7Fp-u8/w-d-xo.html - ICYI, thanks.
Save time and buy the low profile 5950. Unless you want a NBA hat you can find some pretty good hats! Literally buy it and can just throw it on your head without looking like an idiot with a massive box on your head
Style is always a personal choice... there's a counter point that if you've got a larger face shape or chin, the low profile starts to look too small (with some "dad cap" styles, it gets even worse). Personally I find that the extra space in the standard crown helps a lot with comfort as well.
I agree I guess it’s just because my head is so small, in my opinion I feel like I look ridiculous in the standard. I absolutely can’t stand that big boxy look. I’ll never wear dad caps lol, not a big fan of straps....low profile just fits me best but once in a blue moon I’m forced to buy a standard because I love the hat so much and for whatever reason new era is limited with their low pros, which I don’t understand everyone I know loves them and they’re always sold out of the most popular sizes online
@@scottcraigen630 I hear you... it's really my beard that actually balances the higher crown on the standard model from an appearance standpoint. And the more recent 'large' collections like Clubhouse or BP seem to feature more low profile offers than a few years ago, at least from what I've observed. Thanks for your comments!
Because my fitted is so big
Man my head must really be round if it made the flat of my pirates hat round
New era quality control is a complete joke.