A Little Bit of New Era Legacy: Exploring the Iconic Streetwear Cap Line
In the busy world of today, not many of us have the time to spend hours on searching for trendy clothing pieces and even more hours on styling them. And yet, despite all this, we still want to look our best with what we can. This would explain why the streetwear style with its humble beginnings has become so universally appealing and accepted.
What’s special about it, well apart from the fact numerous celebrities have adopted it over the years, is the ease with which you can implement it into your own wardrobe. What’s not to love about it? It’s comfy, it’s versatile, it’s easy to style with a jersey as much as a dressier shirt or even a blazer, and no, you don’t have to give up what you stand for, what you like and dislike, to mix it up with your existing style.
To give you an example, it’s as easy to welcome it into your life as purchasing an iconic New Era cap 9Forty design that’s equally durable and comfortable. Why New Era out of a world of streetwear-related brands? Because this one, in particular, is to baseball what Nike with the Air Jordans is to basketball.
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What Made New Era So Popular?
This brand has become synonymous with the hat industry ever since becoming the official supplier of on-field headwear for Major League Baseball in the USA in 1993. After this, it became the exclusive supplier too of Minor League Baseball, the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the Hockey League among others.
The classic design they’ve maintained over the decades with the 1940s adjustability and elastic backing has turned into a synonym of authenticity and a staple of streetwear many are after when looking to buy a cap. Whether it’s the retro snapback 9Fifty, the stretch 39Thirty, or the in-between New Era cap 9Forty known for its adjustability you can choose based on your preference and taste.
There are additional picks that suit many, such as the relaxed 9Twenty, the original fitted 59Fifty, and the low-profile 59Fifty, and they all come with the flagship embroidery that sets these caps apart. Available in a range of colours, with logos from the range of sports, it’s not that difficult to find the one that’s your perfect fit, both in terms of a match for your head and size, as well as for your colour preference. Of course, they’re also available without any decorations, patches, and embroideries if you’re into going as minimal as possible with the décor elements.
9Fifty
Inspired by the snapbacks of the 1980s, this New Era classic comes with a squared-off visor, as well as a tapered back opening both of which provide the retro look many are seeking. It may resemble the 59Fifty but only in the structured crown and flat brim, as they differ in the open adjustable back the 9Fifty is equipped with.
Although the most typical size you can find this cap in is the One Size Fits Most, there are also the Small/Medium and Medium/Large the brand produces however they may be rarer as most shops don’t have them. Thanks to the adjustable plastic-style snapback, this classic is fit for people of different head sizes, and as such turns out to be a great option for kids who need to change caps as they grow.
39Thirty
If you’re after flexibility, then look no further than this baby. A lot of thought went into creating this unique design, the preference being placed primarily on the choice of fabric and shape to offer a stretch fit for a flexible style. You’re going to like the interior sweatband which besides the primary purpose also adds to the elasticity and flexibility due to being made from elastic spandex. As such, it can fit multiple head sizes. Same as the low pro 59Fifty, the 39Thirty comes with a low profile.
9Forty
As mentioned, this is the perfect mid option if you want the best of both the 39Thirty and 9Fifty styles. The 9Forty cap features a low yet rounded profile, plus a low crown, and is known to be a highly flex fit hat thanks to the variety of closure styles, including snapback, Velcro, and strap back. It’s not fit for every head size, however, so we can’t say that it’s a One Size Fits Most as it can look weird on larger heads. If your head is bigger than 7 5/8 then it’s best to choose another option.
59Fifty
The original of what we know as the fitted baseball cap, this has become an icon in streetwear as much as in sports. When you think of a New Era cap, this is probably most likely what comes to mind as most sportsmen and celebrities have worn it over the years. With a high-structured crown and a flat visor, it’s the perfect fit for anyone after a high-crowned look.
Low Pro 59Fifty
If you love the timeless 59Fifty but don’t like the high crown, then this is just the alternative you need. It offers everything the original does, with the difference of the crown, and the slight curving visor, making it ideal for anyone after a closer fit, as well as anyone with a more sloping forehead or an oval-shaped head.
9Twenty
This cap is famous for its unstructured and low profile, plus the one size it can be found in – the One Size Fits Most. As a homage to the old baseball caps worn at the beginning and middle of the 20th century, it’s not surprising this style is also known as the dad hat. Comfortable, easy to wear, and even roll, it’s perfect for anyone after a vintage cap.
29Twenty
Similar to the 9Twenty for the unstructured and low profile, this cap is also retro but comes with a fitted design. It’s equally comfortable and can be easily flattened, so you can fold it any way you see fit without the worry it would lose its shape. It can be found in a faded look if you’re after an authentic retro look.
19Twenty
A true copy of the 29Twenty, this offers everything the alternative does, except that it is a flat brim instead of a pre-curved. As a classic, it exclusively comes with vintage logos as ornaments, which makes it a rarity among retro styles.
