The return of juniors in New Era

From Buffalo to the Major League Baseball field

New Era was founded in 1920 in Buffalo, New York, by Ehrhardt Koch, who initially made fashion caps. In 1954, his son Harold designed the 59FIFTY, a fitted six-panel cap with a flat visor that became the symbol of baseball. Since 1993, New Era has been the exclusive supplier of caps worn on the field by Major League Baseball players. Later adopted by hip-hop and the urban culture, the brand outfits fans of American leagues, from the New York Yankees to NBA franchises, and its junior models feature the same logos embroidered to fit children.

9FORTY, 9TWENTY or 59FIFTY: adjustable or fitted

For a child, the adjustable cap is the most practical. The 9FORTY, with a curved visor, has an adjustable strap at the back and accommodates head growth over several centimetres; the 9TWENTY works on the same principle with an unstructured, softer crown that fits easily into a backpack without losing its shape. The 59FIFTY, on the other hand, has no adjustment: it is chosen based on the exact head size, with the risk that the child might grow during the year. It is therefore better suited for teenagers, whose head size changes less quickly. To measure, hold a tape measure one finger above the eyebrows and ears.

A cap for the playground and outings

At school, the cap protects the face and eyes from the September sun during breaks, school trips, and outdoor PE sessions. The visor provides shade on the forehead and nose, which are the areas that burn most quickly in children, and reduces glare during play. It does not protect the neck or ears, so sunscreen is still useful during hot hours. In class, it is removed, which is why it’s important to have a label with the child's name inside the sweatband to prevent it from being lost on the coat rack. A light colour also heats less in the sun than a dark shade.

Other brands for back to school

The other brands in the selection, adidas, Puma, Reebok, Jack & Jones, Urban Classics, Only, are gathered on the lifestyle junior page for the back to school campaign. A New Era cap naturally pairs with a t-shirt from Urban Classics.

Washing the cap and preserving the visor

A New Era cap should be hand-washed, never machine washed: the drum damages the visor and distorts the crown. Soak it for a few minutes in cold water mixed with a little mild detergent, then scrub the inner sweatband, the area that gets the dirtiest, with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with clear water, without twisting. To dry, place the cap on a rounded shape, like a ball or an overturned bowl, and let it air dry away from direct sunlight that fades the colors. The embroidered logos handle this treatment well, provided they are not scrubbed too hard. A clean cap after the holidays will last all school year.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a child and adult New Era cap?

The child version has a shallower crown and a shorter visor, fitted for a smaller head. A teenager can switch to an adjustable adult size as soon as their head measurement reaches the lower end of the adult range.

How to shrink a too-large New Era cap?

On an adjustable model, simply tighten the rear strap. On a fitted cap, a strip of adhesive foam slipped under the sweatband reduces the head size by a few millimetres without damaging the fabric.

Should I remove the sticker from the visor?

The sticker indicates the size and guarantees the authenticity of the cap. Some keep it for style, but there’s no obligation to retain it: on a child’s cap worn every day, it often ends up peeling off by itself.

Can you curve the flat visor of a 59FIFTY?

Yes, by bending it gently by hand for a few minutes each day, or by placing it in a jar overnight. A flat visor can thus be turned into a curved one, but the reverse is difficult.

How to store a cap to keep it in shape?

Store it on a shelf or hook, without squashing it at the bottom of a bag. Avoid the rear shelf of a car in direct sunlight, as the heat distorts the visor and fades the colors.