American Needle & Red Jacket are your best bet for vintage baseball hats and T’s
Image from americanneedle.com
Do you equate being comfortable with relaxing in an old worn-out pair of jeans, T-shirt and baseball cap? Do you like the idea of standing out – but in a chill, low-key kind of way? And last, but not least, do you think America’s greatest pastime – namely baseball – holds the answers to life’s most perplexing problems? Or at least, that a double-header on a sunny afternoon is a great way to forget about life’s most perplexing problems? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we’ve got a tip for you. Check out American Needle. Maybe you’re already familiar with this maker of quality headwear, T-shirts, and casual outerwear, but if not, we’d like to introduce you. Epic Mens is excited to recently have added this iconic American clothing brand to our wide selection of luxury menswear lines. Celebrating its 100th year in business, American Needle and its well-received spin-off brand Red Jacket are the epitome of the American success story, one that can trace its roots back to a humble beginning on Chicago’s North Side and an unusual, but fortuitous, deal with the Chicago Cubs.
American Needle was launched in 1918 as a sewing needle import business, but in 1946, the company staked its future on the novel idea of selling souvenir caps (just like the ones the players were wearing on the field) to Chicago Cubs fans. Although it had never been done before, the venture turned out to be a huge success, and now, after decades of selling MLB-licensed headwear, American Needle is credited by many as having pioneered the rise of sports licensing in the first half of the 20th century. In addition to the MLB, the well-known hat and apparel brand now enjoys licensing agreements with several other notable properties, such as the NHL, NASA, Ford, Guinness, Boeing, Ironman, and Coca-Cola.
Three generations have shepherded the family-owned clothier’s rise to prominence. Current President Robert A. Kronenberger assumed the reins from his father in 1985, and in the years since, has established the brand as a fashion leader and industry innovator with numerous patents in the areas of fit, design and manufacturing. A laid-back, retro look and feel has made the collection a hit not only among sports enthusiasts, but also among celebrities and stylists who are trying to evoke an authentic vintage vibe.
The success American Needle and Red Jacket have had duplicating nostalgic color schemes and motifs is most certainly linked to their adherence to a core set of principles, which include heritage, craftsmanship, individuality and leadership. Leadership, especially, has been a critical factor in the company’s growth. Kronenberger, who has a lifetime of experience designing and constructing quality headwear and apparel, has tasked his team of designers, graphic artists and digital asset specialists with blending the best of the past with the best of today’s fashion trends. To achieve this ambitious goal, American Needle and Red Jacket’s talented team have been given access to a continually updated library of unique materials, custom appliqués, and finishing techniques, along with the most up-to-date information available on color forecasting, trend analyses and nascent creative processes. The results are evident in published 5-star reviews extolling the brand’s feel-good fabrics, sophisticated pigments and washes, exceptional construction, comfortable fit, and classic detailing.
Casual wear doesn’t have to be unremarkable or humdrum. If you like the idea of being able to express your individuality even on your off time, you owe it to yourself to check out American Needle headwear and Red Jacket T’s, sweatshirts, and jackets. Both lines are available in upscale department stores and boutiques throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Or if you prefer to do your shopping online, now would be a great time to check out Epic Mens’ selection of American Needle washed twill baseball hats. In fact, we’d love to know what you think about all the special features and options that make these hats so popular: curved and flat brims, structured and unstructured crowns, self-adjusting straps, breathable mesh sides, lofted embroidered cotton thread logos, vintage merrowed patches, and natural-looking distressed visor edges. And don’t leave without also taking a quick look at American Needle’s Red Jacket Collection of 100% premium cotton short-sleeve T-shirts, which come in a variety of colors and logo designs.
Clothes shopping can be a chore, but it’s a whole lot easier when you trust the brand and the people who stand behind it. Many believe American Needle has earned that trust. In fact, one satisfied customer simply wrote “great quality, great price, great hat.” It’s hard to argue with an endorsement like that.