User:Iasiello

History of Sport Hats Sport hats have been around for awhile, in baseball hats have been around since 1849. Most hats are part of the uniform or for fan apparel. The style of sports hats has changed drastically over time from 1849 in the MLB with straw hats or none at all, to the fifty-nine fifty fitted cap. The MLB and other professional sport leagues have made these hats more popular with their fan support. One style of sport hats that have been around for awhile that has been in and out of the “spotlight” is the Snapback. Sports hats have been worn for multiple purposes. [Dressed to the Nines] Whether it’s a fitted cap or a snapback, both styles of sport hats are also worn for casual fashion.

Back in 1849 baseball players would wear straw hats, or none at all. [Dressed to the Nines] In 1903 the “Philadelphia Style” hat was invented it had a stitched brim. The Philadelphia Style is part of the foundation for hats of today. This is when the snapback hat first came on the scene. For the next fifty years the snapback hat was one of the main style of hats that is worn by all the MLB teams and fans. Baseball players at this time would wear any hat of their choice because the teams didn’t have a mandatory hat to go with their uniform. [Crystal Howard, of the New Era Cap Company] In the 1980’s snapbacks were made for other sports. [Snapback hats USA]

In 1900’s the “Brooklyn Style Cap,” became a popular hat of baseball. The main competitors for hats were New Era, Wilson, Spalding, Rawlings, and Roman Pro. These companies were all competing to take over the industry. In 1934, the Cleveland Indians were the first MLB team to have New Era hats for their home and away uniforms. In the 1940’s latex rubber changed the way brims were made. [Top Tenz] In 1954, the fitted cap changed for the better, and is known as the 59fifty. [Weebly Fitted Cap History] In the 1980’s New Era expanded their customer span. [Weebly] This expansion made the 59fifty an everyday item. [BBC News]

Today, Snapbacks and the 59fifty are the main casual head wear. The trend that makes them popular is wearing what the pro’s wear. Not only do the professional athletes wear these hats, but Hip-Hop/Rap artists also wear these hats. In the 1980’s you’d see NWA wearing snapbacks, and today you commonly see Hip-Hop/Rap artists like Mac Miller and Wiz Khalfia wearing them as well. Most Hip-Hop/Rap artists wear the 59fifty.