Monthly Archives: February 2020

guide to ivy caps

Your Guide to Ivy Caps: Wearing, Washing, & More

Ivy caps have made a big comeback and that makes your friends at Delusion MFG very happy! In days gone by, these flat styled caps were extremely popular among men. But as styles changed, the ivy cap was somehow lost along the way.

If you’re bored with your looks and want to take your style game up a notch, you can’t go wrong with an ivy cap! An ivy cap is an easy-to-wear, fashionable flat cap that can make you look suave, handsome, and stylish.  This type of cap can be paired with just about any outfit and it’s guaranteed to take your style from ho-hum to wow! 

Today, the ivy cap is back and in a big way! Ivy caps are being worn by everyone from A-listers like Brad Pitt & David Beckham to common everyday people like you and me!

We’ve put together this guide to ivy caps to help you learn all about them. We’ll tell you what ivy caps are, how to wear & wash them, and lots more. When you’ve finished reading this information, you’ll be an ivy cap aficionado, so sit back, relax, and read on!  

What’s an Ivy Cap? 

An ivy cap is a rounded cap with a low profile. This classic style cap has a small, stiff brim on the front. Ivy caps have been around for centuries. Some other terms used for ivy caps include flat caps, scally caps, crook caps, and driving caps.

These caps date back to the 1500s when they first appeared in Britain. They became popular in America in the late 1800s, when they were commonly worn by men from all walks of life. 

Why You Need an Ivy Cap 

Do you feel like there’s something missing in your wardrobe? Maybe you get dressed from head to toe in the finest pair of pants, amazing shirt, and awesome shoes but look in the mirror and think there’s something not quite right. Well, imagine your reflection with a stylish ivy cap on your head! An ivy cap can add some flair to your fashion and complete your look, no matter what your style tastes may be. 

An ivy cap offers a minimalist style that’s both functional and fashionable. These caps come in a variety of colors & designs and can be made from many different materials. It’s common to find ivy caps made of wool, wool blend, cotton, linen, tweed, leather, and synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic. 

How to Wear an Ivy Cap

An ivy hat shouldn’t look big and sloppy, nor should it fit tight.  That’s why you need to get an ivy cap in the right size. An ivy cap is meant to fit your head snugly and comfortably. To ensure you get the correct size, either try on some ivy caps or use a hat sizing guide that you can easily find online.

An ivy cap is a true flat cap with a flat, smooth top and a stiff brim. These caps look best on square, oval, and rectangular-shaped faces. Why? Because they’re sleek and tapered caps that complement these face shapes. 

If you’re going to try on a few ivy caps, remember that they’re casual headwear. Don’t force a look by adjusting the cap repeatedly once on your head. Instead, simply place the cap on your head in a natural way, so it looks completely natural. 

An ivy cap should fit much like a baseball hat. It should hug your head and look good doing it. If you can easily slide a finger between your head and your cap, you’re good to go!  But that’s not all. You also need to wear your ivy cap straight and not backward.

If you want to wear a backward cap, go for a baseball hat because a short-brimmed ivy cap will look odd when worn backward, so don’t do it!

When you rock a good-fitting ivy cap that matches your clothing, you’ll look and feel awesome. If you pair up a plaid ivy cap with a matching shirt or sweater, you’ll come off as a proper gentleman wherever you go.

These classic caps are fun to wear and they can complete an outfit like no other hat type can. So by all means, buy yourself a few ivy caps and wear them often and enjoy the attention you get! 

What to Wear with an Ivy Cap

While ivy caps are very fashion-forward and versatile, they don’t go with every kind of outfit. An ivy cap goes great with a collared shirt, sweater, and casual shirts like polos. This type of cap also matches up well with a t-shirt, if the ivy cap is a solid color. 

A plaid ivy cap looks great when wearing a light-colored shirt during the spring. A plaid ivy cap can also dress up a plain colored holiday shirt, sweater or vest.

There are ivy caps to match any wardrobe, season, or mood you’re in.  For example, for some low-key luxury in the summer, you can wear a lightweight ivy cap with a t-shirt and khaki pants for a cool & laid-back look. Do you want to make a bold impact? Then wear a plaid ivy cap with casual wear or when spending a day on the golf course and look like a man on a mission.

A great way to set yourself apart is to wear an ivy cap when you’re going about your everyday activities or when you’re out having fun with friends. This type of cap is destined to make you look great, regardless of what you’re doing, so don’t think twice about wearing one whenever the mood strikes.  

Ivy caps are great to cool weather hats that are perfect for fall and early winter. You can even wear an ivy cap during the coldest part of winter if you pair it up with a matching scarf. 

How to Wash Ivy Caps 

Like other types of headwear, ivy caps do need tending to now and then. When your ivy cap starts showing dirt and grime, it’s time to give it a wash. But hold it right there! Don’t just mindlessly toss your dirty ivy cap in the washer and hope for the best. 

You have to read the label to find out what material your cap is made of. This way, you’ll wash it the proper way without shrinking or ruining it. Here’s how to wash ivy caps, according to the material they’re made of.

Wool ivy caps

Ivy caps made of wool need to be hand-washed using a special wool cleaner like Woolite. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. Once washed, don’t toss the cap in the dryer. Instead, lay your wet cap out on a towel and let it air dry. 

Cotton ivy caps

You can safely wash a cotton ivy cap in the machine if you don’t use the hottest temperature setting. Cool or lukewarm water works best. The best bet is to toss your cotton cap in with a load of dirty clothes that are of similar color. When your cap is washed, lay it flat to dry or hang it outside in the breeze to dry naturally.

Leather ivy caps

Leather ivy caps must be cleaned by hand using a special leather cleaner. This type of cleaner is designed to be rubbed into the hat and then buff-cleaned. It takes time to clean a leather ivy cap, but it’s well worth the effort once you see how nicely your cap turns out!

Linen ivy caps

Linen is more delicate than cotton and requires special care. To wash a linen ivy cap, toss it in the washing machine with a mild detergent. Then set the machine on ‘delicate’ and let it go. Your cap will be washed gently and will come out as clean as new. Then hang the cap up to dry or lay it on a flat towel. 

Tweed ivy caps

Tweed ivy caps should be washed like wool caps, using a special wool cleaner. Just be sure to use lukewarm water and gently squeeze the cap to get it thoroughly clean. Then rinse it carefully without twisting it and hang dry or lay it flat on a clean towel. 

Synthetic ivy caps

Ivy caps made of synthetic materials should be washed according to what the specific material happens to be. Just follow the label instructions to ensure your cap comes out clean and fresh without damaging it. 


Whether you’re an ivy cap newbie or a long-time fan, these classic caps give you fun & stylish way to add some oomph to your wardrobe. It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter or what taste you have. You can rest assured that there are ivy caps out there that will match your personal tastes and style. 

Ivy caps are synonymous with understated elegance. They’re fashionable, hip, and comfortable. If it’s time to add some classic styling to your look, get yourself a few ivy caps. Then have fun showing the world that you’re a man of good taste!

guide to cleaning white hats

Definitive Guide to Cleaning White Hats

There’s something unique and special about a great looking white hat. From knit beanies to white panel hats, these striking hats always look sharp. That is until they get dirty, discolored, or stained. Ugh. 

Whether it’s a beanie, 5-panel hat, or a dad cap, keeping your white hat clean is tough. If your favorite white hat isn’t all that white anymore due to dirt, grime, sweat or food stains, we feel your pain! So how in the world are you supposed to clean white hats? 

Cleaning any hat requires careful attention and even more so if it’s white. White hats need extra care since dirt, spots, stains, and even slight damage can easily be seen. To help you avoid making cleaning mistakes, we’ve put together this definitive guide to cleaning white hats.

Read through the step-by-step informational guide below to determine what method is best for the type of hat you have. Once you have a good understanding of how to clean your white hat, it will come out as bright and fresh as the day you first started wearing it. 

Prior to Washing Your White Hat 

If you were to toss your white hat straight into the washing machine without thought, disaster could strike. White hats, just like white clothes, require some extra steps when cleaning. 

You may be surprised to learn that the washing machine is not the only option for washing white hats. Depending on the type of hat you have and what it’s made of, you may need to wash your hat by hand or just spot-clean it.

We’ve listed a few things below you need to know before you even think about getting out the laundry detergent.  Be sure to follow these instructions so your white hat comes out the way it should; as fresh and clean as newly-fallen snow. 

Read the Labels and Follow the Advice 

Your hat most likely has some small labels sewn inside. These labels are there to tell you what material your hat is made of and how to wash it. Find out what material you hat is made of and follow the washing instructions. If a label says not to use hot water, then don’t! Otherwise, your hat will shrink, making it worthless to you.

If you see a ‘dry-clean only’ label, the chances are your hat is made of wool or a wool blend. This means the material is not machine washable. You’ll need to take your hat to dry cleaners and let the pros do the work. However, if you see a ‘hand wash only’ label, you can use a wool cleaner like Woolite to clean your hat in the sink. 

Be Cautious Using Bleach 

If you don’t see a ‘no bleach’ label and your hat is made of cotton or a cotton blend, it’s most likely safe to use bleach. Just like a bit of bleach in the wash cycle with your white clothes can remove dinginess and brighten up things, to make your hat whiter and brighter. 

But before you dump a lot of bleach into your washing machine or sink, read the label on the bottle. Using too much bleach can wreak havoc on your hat. In fact, bleach is highly corrosive which means it can eat right through the material to ruin it. So read the label and use the bleach exactly as directed. Otherwise, skip the bleach altogether and rely on the power of your laundry detergent to get the job done. 

Don’t Wash Your Hat in the Dishwasher 

Contrary to what you may have read online, it’s not a good idea to wash hats in dishwashers. Dishwashers spray high-intensity jets of very hot water on dirty dishes to remove stuck-on food. A hat is not constructed to take such a beating. Instead of coming out nice and clean, your hat will come out discolored, misshapen, and a size or two smaller due to shrinkage. 

Dishwashers are designed for washing dishes and nothing more. So if you’re thinking of trying to wash your hat in your dishwasher, get that idea out of your head because it’s not a good one! Continue reading for safe and effective methods for cleaning white hats.  

Old-Fashioned Hand-Washing a White Hat 

The old school method of handwashing white hats is a good one. This method does require a bit of prep time and patience. However, it’s all worth it in the end. Your dirty white hat will come out remarkably clean and white if you hand wash your hat correctly. This method works best for white hats made of cotton, cotton blends, wool, and synthetic materials. 

What You’ll Need

  • 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent 
  • 1 cup peroxide 
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • A soft-bristled brush like a dish brush or toothbrush 

How to Hand Wash a White Hat

If your white hat is made of cotton, cotton blend, or synthetic material, fill your sink with warm (not hot) water. As the sink is filling with water, add the peroxide, laundry detergent, and baking soda. Then use a wooden spoon to mix all the ingredients into the water. 

If your white hat is made of wool, fill your sink half-way with cool or cold water. Then add one capful of Woolite or another detergent made for cleaning wool.

Now it’s time to put your hat into the water and submerge it. Move your hat around to be sure it gets fully saturated. Then leave it be for about one hour while the detergent works to remove dirt and grime. 

Once an hour has passed, use the brush to scrub away any stubborn stains caused by sweat or grime. Just work gently on those stains and be very careful. Don’t work against the nap of a wool hat to avoid snags. Once you’re satisfied your hat is thoroughly clean, rinse away the detergent with warm water for cotton and cool water for wool. 

Use a clean white towel to dab excess moisture from your newly washed hat. Then place your hat on a dry clean towel and allow it to air dry. Be sure the area you dry your hat in is well-ventilated. It’s fine to hang up a dad cap, baseball hat, or a 5-panel hat. It’s not OK to hang up a beanie cap because doing so will make it stretch out of shape. If your white hat is a beanie, place it on clothes drying rack and let it dry that way. 

Spot-Cleaning a White Hat that’s Not Terribly Dirty

It’s not always necessary to fully submerge a hat in water in order to get it clean. If your white hat is made of synthetic material or wool and has a strong shape like a 5-panel hat or a trilby, spot-cleaning is a great way to spiff it up. 

What You’ll Need 

  • 1 cup peroxide 
  • 1 tablespoon laundry detergent or Woolite 
  • ⅛ cup baking soda
  • One soft-bristled brushes
  • White washcloth 

To make the cleaning solution for hats made of cotton or synthetic material, add the peroxide, laundry detergent or Woolite, and the baking soda to one gallon of warm water.  To make the cleaning solution for wool hats, add one capful of Woolite to a gallon of cold water. 

How to Spot Clean a White Hat 

Place your brush into the cleaning solution to saturate the bristles. Then use a small scoop to place a dab of the cleaning solution onto the hat’s dirty or stained spots. Gently scrub the marks with the brush until the stains are removed.

Once you’re satisfied the stains or spots are removed, take your clean washcloth and get it damp in cool water. Use the washcloth to remove any remaining dirt and cleaning solution by dabbing your hat. Now all that’s left to do is air dry your hat in a well-ventilated area. 

Machine-Washing a White Hat 

It’s convenient to clean a white hat in the washing machine. However, you need to follow some basic guidelines to make sure your hat comes out clean and in great shape. Machine-washing is best for white panel hats and beanies made of cotton. Do not wash wool hats in the washing machine or wool blend hats! 

What You’ll Need 

  • Spray-on stain remover 
  • 2 tablespoons laundry detergent with whitening power 
  • Mesh laundry bag with drag-string or zip closure

How to Machine Wash a White Hat 

Take your spray-on spot remover and pre-treat your hat. Pay particular attention to the headband inside your hat, the crown area, and the underside of the brim. Once you’ve pre-treated the stains, place your hat inside the mesh laundry bag and close it securely. 

Set your washing machine on cold water and the gentle/delicate cycle. It’s best to add your hat to a small load of white clothes. This way, your hat will rub up against the clothing when the machine is agitating to help remove stubborn dirt and stains.

When the washing machine turns off, remove your hat and allow it to air dry. Hats put in clothes dryers can easily shrink, stretch, or become misshapen so don’t toss your damp hat in the dryer. Allow your hat to dry naturally by placing it on a dry, clean white towel in a well-ventilated area. 

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Conclusion

Getting white hats fresh and clean isn’t impossible nor is it hard to do.  For the best results possible, find out what your hat is made of and read the labels sewn inside your white hat! Then follow our handy guide to clean white hats. 

Once you get your white hat fresh, clean, and dazzling white once again, take great care of it. If you give your hat some TLC, it won’t need cleaning so often. And by all means, if you see a spot or stain on your white hat, don’t ignore it! 

Whenever you notice dirt or a stain on your white hat, follow the spot-cleaning instructions above. This way, you’ll stay one step ahead! Eye-catching white hats are made to be enjoyed and admired from afar!

At Delusion MFG, our passion is hats. Whenever you need a new white hat, be it a beanie, dad cap, or panel hat, visit us! We’ve got a wide selection of hats and low, everyday prices!