While I don't intend to turn this webpage into a blog just about hats, our posts about breaking in New Era 59Fifty caps bring in the greatest number of hits. I've received a couple of e-mails about how to break and "curve" the bill of caps, so I thought I'd offer a few tips in a simple post.
As we've discussed before, not everyone likes to curve the bill of their cap. Some caps, including the official MLB spring training hats, come pre-curved. But what if you like the look of the official on the field 5950 - but would like to curve the bill just right? We're here to help.
I'd like to divide this post up into two sections. First, I'd like to talk about a product called Perfect Curve. Then, I'll talk about how you can break in a cap without Perfect Curve.
Perfect Curve's cap curver is a product I purchased at Lids a couple of years ago. On sunny days, I like to wear sunglasses with my hat, so I prefer a subtle curve, giving the sunglasses room under the bill. First I put on the cap and the sunglasses I plan to wear with them. Then I curve the bill using my hand to the desired position. Then I adjust the perfect curve to the setting where my bill has been curved. Leave the hat in the perfect curve for a couple of days, and you're set.
Without a product like Perfect Curve, you can achieve the desired effect using thick rubber bands. For an extreme curve (which I used to prefer), I've used cups or mugs and tied rubber bands around the bill. You'll find curving the bill like this tends to make the dome of the cap stick up less - a common problem for people wearing the 5950. I don't recommend curving the bill more sharply than you intend to wear it. Instead, be patient, let it sit for a couple of days.
