Who Watches the Watchmen?

March 31, 2018

Who Watches the Watchmen?

Upstate Stock Wool Watch Caps

Newborn babies lose a lot of heat through their heads, but so do I. And as we've been enduring longer cold spells this year it's been great having something to keep that head warm. This winter (and spring), I've been reaching more and more for a familiar favorite - the watch cap.

Steve McQueen

There are plenty of posts out there about the history behind watch caps, but to me what makes them so compelling is that they're supremely versatile - and not in the way that sites will B.S. around and say "this pair of walnut wingtips is supremely versatile," but like actually versatile. You can find innumerable examples of watch caps worn with anything from avant-garde streetwear to tailored clothing, and everything in between. Some of my favorite looks come from Nami Nguyen aka nami_man, who often pairs his smart attire with Vans and a watch cap while skating around Melbourne. For another tailored lean to the look, Simon from Permanent Style has produced his own line of cashmere watch caps since 2014. Probably the easiest way to wear a watch cap, though, is with casual Americana and workwear, of which my favorite examples come from Crafted Paris (seen below).

Photo - @nami_man

Buzz Rickson's - Photo @mrman_ig

Photo @craftedparis

You should have no trouble finding a wealth of watch caps out there, which span the range from very cheap to very expensive, as well as the breadth of fabrics and materials, patterns and colors. On the low end, there are several companies that make a no frills version which should work in a pinch - Rothco being the most common and widely available through sites like Amazon for next to nothing, though I bought a nice watch cap from J. Crew's Wallace and Barnes line this past season that I really like for not much more. Companies such as Real McCoy's, Eastman, and Buzz Rickson's also produce some faithful repros, though perhaps at a premium for historical accuracy (that is, until you compare them to the price of some actual vintage USN watch caps). Inis Meain and Drake's are perennial favorites, especially for donegal wools, and shops like Epaulet NYC, Dehen 1920, Mister Freedom, American Trench, Knickerbocker MFG, and 3Sixteen produce their own takes as well - I particularly like 3Sixteen's cotton indigo version with the pewter concho pin.

3Sixteen Watch Caps

Recently, I picked up a couple MiNYC wool watch caps (pictured above and below) from Upstate Stock during a recent sale after seeing some fits from Brent Whaley aka Whaleysworld. Of course, they don't look nearly as manly on me as they do on him, but we can't all be huge mountain men with great beards, now can we?

Upstate Stock - Photo @whaleysworld

I realize winter's technically come to an end, but - as with all things - the best deals are usually at end of season, and apparently it's going to be snowing next week in the northeast #outerwearforever #thedream.

PS - Apologies for not posting much lately - been looking at a first time home purchase, and if you've ever read this blog before you probably know I can go on a pretty deep dive just looking for a pair of socks. Compared to buying socks, this is at least...twice as important.