Breaking in a New 5950 Hat Part II

This summer, we came up with what has become our most popular post about breaking in a new 5950 cap.  Specifically, we've gotten a number of e-mails about shrinking the top of the cap or the "crown" of the hat.  

We've recently invented a new technique for shrinking the crown of these caps - so we thought a new post was  in order to explain our technique.  Once again, this is our most popular cluster of posts - so we invite you to visit our sponsors so that we can keep this page running.  

Step 1 of this new technique is to find a girlfriend and temporarily steal her blowdryer.  The WellDressedSportsGirlfriend was happy to oblige in this case.  Thanks, lady.  

As we mentioned in our previous post on this topic - the 5950 contains a plastic mesh frame beneath the caps logo to keep the crown firm.  The goal of this technique is to heat up the plastic on the inside the cap and shape it to your head.  Don't go overboard here - avoid heating up the cap too much and don't burn your head.

Reader Robb sent us the following tip for this stage: 

I wanted to pass on another suggestion (courtesy of my wife). I took her bottle of Downey Wrinkle Releaser and sprayed the whole outside of the bowl of the hat, with it on my head. I soaked it pretty well. I worked it in by smoothing it out hard with my palms. After it dried, I repeated that; but this time I blow dried it dry. I'm not sure if there was one portion of this procedure that was the kicker (I believe it was the wrinkle releaser/blowdrier) but the whole process has yielded a pretty good result.

Step 2 - Heat up the blowdryer and turn the cap over.  Start heating up the inside of the cap behind the logo.  

Step 3 - Once you've gotten the blowdryer warm and the inside of the cap is a bit loosened up, start pressing down on the crown of the cap, encouraging the plastic mesh inside to bend just a bit. You'll start to feel the heat on the other side of the cap.  Once you start to feel it getting hot shut off the blowdryer and give the cap a second to cool down.  Then put the cap on your head and hold your hands on top of the crown of the cap, shaping it to your liking.   

And there you have it!  Do this a couple of times and the plastic inside of your cap will bend to your liking.  It doesn't require any of the cap surgery that can result in breaking the hat and gives you an excuse to ask that girl you have a crush on for a favor.  Yup, we're just here to help.

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A Sports Fans Christmas Wish List

The holidays are quickly approaching.  Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for your favorite sports fan?  Well, we're here to help you out. In the following post you'll find our suggestions for how to shop for that sports fan on your list and will give you some specific ideas.    

The most important thing to know is what team or teams they are a fan of - purchasing a White Sox hat for a Cubs fan can be a huge mistake. Once you figure out what team they are a fan of and their size - if possible - try to match your purchase with their style.  

For guys - I'd take a moment to think about what type of place they typically shop.  Someone who likes the JCrew broken in look would probably enjoy one of these throwback shirts from Distant Replays.  For those unfamiliar with the terrain of shopping for sports merchandise - the term "throwback" is often used by sports fan to refer to shirts, jerseys, or color or logo schemes since retired by the team.  Its the sports version of "retro".  Throwbacks give off the image that you've been a fan of the team for a long time - more often than not they also look cool and relaxed.  The sort of gear you can wear with a pair of jeans on a weekend afternoon around the house or at a casual sports bar.  

If the guy your shopping for tends to shop at a place more like REI, a hooded sweatshirt might be the way to go.  Outerwear tends to be a little more expensive - but if the guy you know attends the games in an outdoor arena - the gear will probably be much appreciated as they try to battle the elements over the course of the season.  MLB baseball, in particular, makes a cool line of Therma Base jackets that are perfect for those early spring and late fall games.  

Speaking of baseball fans - the World Baseball Classic will return next spring.  This line of gear is pretty cool for sports fans you know that also have an attachment to places around the world like Canada, Japan or Puerto Rico.  

If you know the size of the person your shopping for - it is hard to go wrong with a t-shirt and hat combo, like this one from the Colorado Avalanche.  A number of colleges and universities - as well as professional sports teams make this kind of hat and shirt combo. 

Finally, the college bowl schedule is being announced as I write this.  If you know a fan of one of the teams that made it into a bowl game - why not buy your favorite sports fan a t-shirt of their upcoming bowl game?  Since the list is long here, Google will prove to be your friend.  

If you have a young man on your list who plays video games - we're obligated to remind you about Madden '09 - the latest in the long series of NFL games from EA Sports.   If they already have Madden - we like the NCAA franchise.  

Onto the ladies.  We tend to dislike pink gear, but if you know a woman that wears a lot of pink - nearly every team makes pink versions of their replica jerseys.  Instead, teams also make the same types of replica jerseys in a women's cut.  We're fans of this style.  These zip up hoodies are also really cute.  

Buying fitted hats can be a bit dangerous if you don't know their exact size, but this sort of "stretch" fit hat is becoming more common.  

Finally, the NFL has a useful page for tailgaters here.  If you're still stumped - all of the pro leagues offer gift cards.  If you live near the college or university that he or she is a fan of, you can swing by the school's bookstore for a gift card.  Check the links surrounding this page for other gift ideas. 

Happy shopping!  Have further tips for us?  Send us an e-mail at welldressedsportsfan@gmail.com

NHL Practice Jerseys

The NHL and MLB do something that I often wish other leagues would look into.  They both sell practice jerseys for all of their teams. Practice jerseys are often a bit more subtle than the regular jerseys of many squads.  If you don't mind the colors of your teams' primary jersey, then don't bother getting a practice jersey.     

If your squad happens to rock some atrocious color scheme, San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild - I'm looking at you, then the practice jerseys offer a nice alternative to looking like a Disney cartoon threw up on you at the game. 

Quick Tip: Once again, hockey arenas tend to run on the cool side - newer arenas have ice that is actually cooled from the bottom, but it pays to wear a gray hoodie underneath the jersey.  It makes the jersey look less baggy and keeps you warmer and more comfortable.  You can also get away with leaving your coat in the car on your walk to the arena. 

NCAA Basketball

I'm watching the Minnesota Gophers take on the Virginia Cavaliers on ESPN this evening.  This got me thinking about sports gear for basketball games.  We've discussed this from the ladies' side, but haven't talked about men's gear yet.  

Nothing looks lamer and more dated that an old, faded basketball jersey with some forgotten jerk.  In general, I avoid basketball jerseys all together.  They look cool on the court when you're actually paid or give a scholarship to play - but you look like a tool wearing one with no shirt to a game - I don't care how hot it is outside.  

In general, I think it is a pretty decent life rule to avoid being mocked on blogs run by female sports fans.  In general.

Instead, check out these performance t-shirts made by Nike.  Newer t-shirts can be pre-made with a sweet distressed look.  There are a lot of options.  I would recommend avoiding t-shirts with oh-so-clever basketball team slogans or sayings once you hit adulthood.  The Well Dressed Sports Girl and I haven't exactly come to a consensus on this last point - so we'll maybe open it up again for another post.