As someone who has tested over 500 hats across my 10+ years in the headwear industry, I can say with confidence that 47 Brand makes one of the best caps out there. Between the diverse selection, value pricing and focus on adjustability, these hats showcase quality construction that can handle daily wear and tear while repping your team in style.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll overview everything potential buyers need to know about 47 Brand based on my own evaluation of materials, workmanship and design. You‘ll get the insider expert scoop on why 47 remains many fans‘ number one headwear choice after 75 years and counting!
Who Is 47 Brand?
Founded in 1947 by Italian twin brothers Arthur and Henry D‘Angelo, the company began as a humble Boston street cart before growing into one of the most recognized headwear brands worldwide. The brand name itself nods the founding year and today 47 remains family-run with the D‘Angelos‘ sons holding executive leadership roles.
Specializing in caps repping pro and college athletics teams, 47 Brand has expanded into apparel, accessories and collaborations across pop culture and fashion. With over 1000 employee worldwide and 588K Instagram followers, this legacy brand continues resonating with younger generations through innovative partnerships.
Fun Fact: 47 Brand crafts the official sideline/batting caps for over 900 NCAA college programs!
By the Numbers: 47 Brand Market Share and Sales Impact
While newer brands like Lids and New Era grab headlines, 47 Brand remains the best-selling label for licensed headwear holding a dominant 38% U.S. market share.
To give perspective, research firm SportsOneSource revealed 47 Brand outsold runner-up New Era by over 7.8 million units in 2019 – nearly 2:1. We‘re talking 19 million 47 caps shipped to retailers!
Annually, 47 Brand grosses over half a billion dollars in wholesale sales revenue through 30,000+ retail partners in the states alone. Include international and we‘re talking serious market penetration here, my friends.
Clearly the numbers back up 47 Brand‘s clout – they know how to design hats fans covet. Now let‘s get into product specifics!
Overview of 47 Brand Cap Styles & Materials
47 Brand divides its caps across varied collections focusing on common structural and fabric elements. By far my favorites are the Clean Up and Franchise lines – ideal blending wearability, style and value.
Clean Up: Relaxed fit low-profile caps mixing cotton, acrylic or washed twill. Structureless crowns and curved visors scream vintage cool. The size adjustability ensures great fit too.
Franchise: Classic heritage 6-panel caps made from polyester. Structured crowns and visors available in fitted or adjustable versions accommodate most sizes. True and bright team color-ways.
Beyond these, the Cooperstown and MVP selections similarly combine fashion-forward styling with performance-ready fabrics. For colder temps, Knits cuffed beanies have the seasonal team spirit vibe on lock.
Evaluating 47 Brand Hat Quality and Workmanship
So how does 47 stack up to other hat giants like Flexfit, New Era and Nike quality-wise? As an industry expert, I assess caps across a range of criteria:
Fabrics – Most 47 hats utilize cotton, polyester or acrylic blends selected for durability, structured hold, breathability and coloring. No cheap thin material here!
Stitching – Examining inner sweatbands and external hems reveals meticulous stitchwork with no loose threads or gaps. Sign of precision.
Logos – Printed and embroidered team graphics stand out crisply without distortions, perfect sizing. No fuzzy imagery or cracking after washing.
Shapes – Structured crowns and curved visors maintain ideal shaping even after months of wear thanks to sturdy canvas and buckram supports.
Add in the attention to size adjustability and 47 checks all the quality boxes with flying colors. While less innovative than a leading-edge Nike or Adidas, the classics covered here provide tremendous value.
Now let‘s examine some actual consumer experiences with the caps.
47 Brand Fan Reviews and Testimonials
Scouring various rating sites reveals overwhelmingly positive 47 Brand feedback from actual purchasers:
"These hats are the most comfortable I‘ve ever owned. I love the ease of adjusting to fit my head size too. Go Cardinals!" Lids User
"Durable, high-quality and stylish. What more could you want in a ballcap? The embroidery and color-blocking on my Dodgers lid looks so legit." Amazon Customer
"I own 4 of the 47 Brand Clean Up style caps now. They just get better with age and wear. Timeless look even my teenage son tries stealing." BestCompany User
Fans highlight the smart design allowing diverse sizes to find great fit through adjusted closures. The caps withstand daily use retaining structure and team logos for years thanks owner care tips (more later).
The vintage-inspired styles also rate well for transcending fickle fashion trends. While my evaluator hat stays firmly on, I‘ll admit to rocking a few 47 lids in my personal collection!
How 47 Brand Hats Compare to Popular Alternatives
Curious how 47 stacks against heavyweights New Era, Flexfit, Nike and Adidas? Let‘s compare metrics:
| Brand | Style Focus | Price Range | Size Range | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 Brand | Heritage, athleisure | $$-$$$ | XS-XL | 8/10 |
| New Era | Fitted, performance | $$-$$$$ | S/M/L | 9/10 |
| Flexfit | Tech fabrics | $-$$ | One size | 8/10 |
| Nike | Lifestyle | $$$ | S/M/L | 9/10 |
| Adidas | Climalite tech | $$-$$$ | S/M/L | 9/10 |
- New Era – Unquestioned fitted cap leaders carrying premium pricing. Limited sizes. Known MLB partnership.
- Flexfit – Innovative fabric tech but trail in style options. One-size hats fit most.
- Nike – Elite performance with premium prices. Very limited size runs.
- Adidas – Similar tech and branding power as Nike. Pricier hats in general.
For everyday value across a spectrum of relaxed to structured caps, 47 Brand dominates selection and affordable pricing while maintaining quality construction that outperforms similar mass-market hats.
The competition boats strengths in proprietary tech or fittings catering smaller niches. But for the everyday fan wanting adjustable, hard-wearing caps, I suggest 47 over the field.
On the value tier, 47 outclasses competitors like Richardson, Otto, Capeline and American Needle featuring more robust fabrics, embroidery and shapely silhouettes. For a mid-market budget, no one touches 47 Brand breadth and quality combo.
Where to Buy 47 Brand Hats
Given the overwhelming fan and industry expert opinions, where should savvy shoppers pickup 47 Brand caps? Beyond the company‘s own web store, I suggest these leading authorized retailers:
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Lids – Massive selections with frequent promotions. I once snagged three hats for $75! Bargain heaven.
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Fanatics – Reliable source for authentic team merchandise. Site-wide sales can yield 30%+ off.
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Dick‘s Sporting Goods/Academy – Brick and mortar shops carrying selection of Clean Up and Franchise caps.
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Urban Outfitters – Youth-leaning aesthetic offerings like bold prints and collab drops.
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MLB Shop – Official baseball caps often discounted. Limited colorways.
I recommend signing up for email lists with your preferred retailers to receive new product alerts and exclusive coupon offers that may outdo main site deals. Consider lesser popular team hats that see steeper markdowns as well.
47 Care Tips – Washing, Storing and Customizing
Investing in quality headwear deserves proper care for longevity. Follow these expert 47 hat handling tips:
Washing: Turn caps inside out and wash on a cold, gentle cycle using mild detergent. Let air dry avoiding heat to maintain logos and shape.
Storing: If not displaying on hat stands, stuff crowns with tissue or socks to retain form. Avoid folding brims where creases can crack.
Customizing: Apply iron-on patches or pins towards the back rather than busier front logos for best results. Custom embroidery available through select partners.
And there you have the A-Z guide to finding, wearing and caring for the ideal 47 Brand caps to showcase your team pride in comfort year-round! Still have questions? Keep reading.
47 Brand Hat FAQs
Here I answer some frequently asked questions about these awesome lids:
How do 47 Brand hats fit?
With adjustable and fitted size ranges from XS-XL accommodating 6 3⁄4” to 8” head circumferences, you can dial in an ideal individualized fit. Consult the detailed size chart.
What customization options exist?
Beyond patches and pins, services like Stitches Custom Apparel allow adding names, numbers and phrases via embroidery. Limited custom offerings directly through 47.
What is the return policy and warranty?
Returns allowed within 60 days in original condition. No formal warranty listed but materials and construction built to last years.
Can logos crack or fade over time?
Proper care should minimize any distortion but contact customer service as hats expected to endure daily wear and tear without rapid logo degradation.
How long does shipping take?
1-2 weeks standard delivery. Expedited options available.
So there you have it – the insider advice to get the maximum value, head-turning style and endless team repping endurance out of 47 Brand caps after 75 years setting the standard. These timeless lids withstand the test of time thanks to smart design executed with care. Here‘s to keeping fans sporting signature style for decades more!
