Modern in Baseball Caps
As the kids say: "No cap, the fashion industry is straight up toxic." There is a new cap coming to town though!
Context
There are two main occasions when I wear a baseball cap. One is when I play tennis every week - especially now that the sun shines brighter - and when I’m going on a walk, which I also do daily. I have a small but solid collection and although they both seem to be benign, I did start to wonder if they really are and what role they play in the Modern Thinker’s Lifestyle.
I wondered what exactly my cap is made of, if this way of making is sustainable, and what the future of baseball caps needs to look like in order to respect the 1.5ºC threshold.
Let’s put our plastic snorkeling goggles back on and dive right in!
The Status Quo
How is a baseball cap made? Of course, many different styles and many different recipes exist, so for the sake of simplicity we will dissect the high-end baseball cap. Why? Because I want to show you that luxury is not off the hook either when it comes to sustainability.
I’ve created this visual to depict the parts that together go into the mixing bowl and oven to make a high quality baseball cap. Mind you, not every single detail is even mentioned, but I know you can fill in the blanks.
Do you know which materials are used to make your cap? Are you aware of the carbon footprint of this cap from start to the end of its journey (landfills)? How long does every element travel before it becomes part of the puzzle that results in a baseball cap? I have endless questions… Let’s talk about a vital one:
The forever chemical…
Do you know those caps with the fabric that repels water? Those most likely contain PFAS - the forever chemical - known to disrupt your hormonal system. Not good. Makes you sick.
How did we get into this mess? Blame the brands’ supply chains.
Supply chains are complex. They are as complex as a brand makes them to be, due to the goal to squeeze margins to nurture their own bottomline (cash, d’argent, dinero, penge).
We really need to think about what exactly we put onto our skin — our largest organ btw — if we care about our health.
Health = Wealth
That’s why, for me at least, circularity of our wardrobe items starts with the materials.
With the majority of baseball caps being made with some percentage of synthetic fibers — made from crude oil and refined into polyester, nylon, and toxic chemicals like PFAS — something truly needs to change.
So let’s start with the materials. All of them. Step by step.
This is exactly my approach.
The status quo is unsustainable, but baseball caps are here to stay!
The way forward is Modern, so let’s move on to my favorite part:
The Modern Take
Here’s the thing. A wardrobe staple like a baseball cap is only sustainable if it’s the result of a circular value chain. What do I mean by that? Circularity is a system, it is not just changing one toxic element for a “sustainable” part and call it a day. Non. Circularity is a system in which all materials circulate, from nature, back to nature, without losing their value. This is my proprietary definition but feel free to use it - just credit me of course, thanks.
How can a cap be circular?
I’m glad you asked! A truly circular cap, is one where the full journey — from the first seed to the final station — is designed with respect to nature and people. It means knowing that all materials will do more good than harm to the environment; not only in the “pre-owner” phase, but more importantly perhaps in its “afterlife”.
At Positive Fibers®, we are pioneering a new wave of fashion that does not compromise on good design and excellent craftsmanship, but that promises to safely return to nature in the end. As a nutrient, not as poison.
This is why I am incredibly excited to share with you a project we’ve been working on for months!! It was not easy to get the supply chain together, all adhering to my crazy (not just my own words) strict criteria for circularity, but we did it!
Introducing….
drum rolls please…..
louder, I can’t hear them….
that’s it, excellent….
…so the announcement is……
We created the Circular Cap !!!!
N.B.: These images are mock-ups. It’s not the final design. The logo and your initials will be embroidered by hand.
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
A baseball cap is a summer staple! Perfect for a game of tennis, a walk by the beach, taking the dog for a walk, or going on a walk in the park or forest. This cap has got you wearing your values.
Made from an incredibly breathable impeccable fabric cut from top quality organic cotton in off-white with the Positive Fibers logo embroidered in our signature orange color. Complementarily, we personalize your cap with your initials.
100% plastic-free
washable
adjustable in fit
personalized with your initials
designed in The Netherlands
ethically made in Portugal
sustainably shipped with circularity embedded
“end-of-use” solution to stay away from landfills
The Circular Cap is 100% plastic-free, toxic-free, certified, and ethically produced. Your cap is made just for you, in your size and adjustable through our nickel-free buckle. All elements of this cap are recyclable, and bio-neutral.
Moreover, this cap does more good than harm as above it’s circular DNA, your cap supports the restoration and conservation of coral reefs in Indonesia, which have been severely affected by malpractices like “dynamite fishing”. Coral reefs are the lungs of the ocean. And life on land depends on life below sea level! As I always say… (like a broken record, I know)
This is a first. (or prove me wrong;) )
As there will be a minimum amount of orders necessary before the circular cap can be shipped to you, I’m offering a special referral discount to you for every friend that places their order via your code. Here’s how the referral system works:
Click on the button “Join the Waiting List”
Fill out the form
Keep your eyes peeled for my updates
You will get access to the pre-sale 24 hours before the public
purchase your Circular Cap
receive an email within a few hours after we’ve received your order, with your personal discount code that you can share.
share your personal discount code with your friend(s) and we will give you 10% of every purchase via your code, paid out in store credit or cash - you decide. 10% off for your friend, and 10% store credit for you.
Brunettes, protect that precious heat magnet of yours.
Concluding Thoughts
Positive change is possible. It is crystal clear that the status quo is unsustainable, but the baseball cap is here to stay. With stricter regulations on the horizon, I’m optimistic that more brands will rethink their supply chains. It’s going to take an effort, a big one, but as the wise Confucius said:
“The only constant is change”.
See you next week,
Marije
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P.P.S. You are always welcome to submit topic suggestions to be covered. I have done my research for the past 5+ years (and it’s an ongoing activity), but I’m always open to new ideas and perhaps our notes even cross! This newsletter is for you, The Modern Thinker, so please help me make it your most favorite one.