SUMMER SOMEWHERE

The Kokopelli Madcapz makes me think of the summer.  I think it’s because it’s a southwestern print, and in my head the southwest is always in summer.  Here, not so much.   It was nice for a couple of days, but now it’s raining and gross again.

So, in honor of the fact that it is summer somewhere, here are Kokopelli Madcapz Summer Do’s and Don’ts.

DO remember to bring your woman’s baseball cap with you to protect yourself against the sun.

DON’T over heat and hallucinate the Kokopelli figures dancing around you.

DO embrace all of the great prints this summer.

DON’T make your dog wear matching prints.  That is cruel.

DO remember to wear your woman’s baseball cap to the pool.

DON’T leave your hat on while swimming laps, it will fall off.

DO wear your Kokopelli Madcapz whenever do anything that celebrates summer.

What do you think of the Kokopelli Madcapz? What’s your favorite thing about summer?

COMFORT MEETS FASHION

So, apparently the fashion world has finally accepted that you should be able to feel good in your clothes while looking good.  Glad they’ve come around to Madcapz way of thinking.

Click here to read an article on Sportswear: From Slouchy to Sexy

So apparently, it’s the era of the track suit.  And no, I am not suggesting that Sue Sylvester is going to be the epitome of fashion.  I mean, according to the article, in order for it to be acceptable to wear track suit pants, it’s necessary to pair them with high heels (wouldn’t it be nice if really comfortable shoes were the height of fashion? If only just for a month…). 

What I find interesting about fashionable sportswear is that it takes something that is comfortable and easy to move in and makes it fashionable.  This shouldn’t be that novel a concept, but I feel like most designer make a garment and it might be comfortable, it might not be, it’s kind of irrelevant (this may explain the popularity of leggings and maxi dresses, they are both comfortable and fashionable). I like the idea of taking the wearer’s needs as a starting point for fashion design, as opposed to being an afterthought.

At Madcapz, we realized that women needed a baseball cap that actually fit them, so we created really cute ones that actually fit them, instead of creating a cute cap that might or might not fit.

THE PURSE: OR AS I CALL IT, “THE BAG THAT HOLDS MY LIFE”

Today, we are going to talk about the other woman’s fashion accessory: the purse.  While I can claim that you’re never fully dressed without a Madcapz , the truth of the matter is that you probably feel naked without your purse.

Click here to read: A Working Woman’s Guide To A Purse

To say that this article offers particularly novel tips would be a gross exaggeration, but I think that Monika Botkier’s, a New York based handbag designer, description of the size of the ideal bag to be helpful.  She suggests that it should be large enough to hold a pair of ballet flats, but not large high heel shoes, big enough for an IPad, but not a laptop, vast enough to hold a woman’s baseball cap, but not a sunhat (okay, I may have added that last one) . I also liked her suggestion of having a more fun tote when carrying larger items such as gym clothes, or paper files.

The only thing is that a part of me strongly believes that for the majority of women, a non-cluttered purse may be the Holy Grail of organized living. I think a solution may be to have one professional purse, where everything is in its proper place, and one large bag tucked under your desk, that holds everything you need to live.

What do you think of the article’s suggestion?  Is your purse organized? Do you wish it was organized?

PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE PURPLE PASSION MADCAPZ

When I was little, purple used to be my favorite color.  However, when I entered Middle School, my favorite color, for no discernible reason, changed to blue.  Despite this switch, purple still makes me feel comforted, like a long hot bath or a bowl of mac and cheese.  And with the looming threat of rain, I could use a little comfort, which is why this week’s Hat of the Week is Purple Passion Madcapz. Allow me to introduce you to the people who populate the Purple Passion Madcapz purchasers.

Picky people prefer Purple Passion

Professors pontificate on Purple Passion

Practical people pack Purple Passion

Parents pocket Purple Passion

Professional people possess Purple Passion

Painters picture Purple Passion

Positive people pick Purple Passion

Pediatricians prescribe Purple Passion

Paddleball players practice with Purple Passion

Presidents parade Purple Passion

What’s your favorite color? Any purple lovers out there? Any alliterations suggestions?

THE MAKING OF

Click here to read an article on the making of hats: HAT MAKING

Ok, so while the title of the article, “Chapeaux, Chapeaux” annoys me (imagine if we called Madcapz women’s baseball chapeaux), but I think the article talks about something this blog has previously neglected, the actual design/making of the hats.

Yes, we have mocked the wearers of ridiculous hats (see every other blog post).  We have discussed designers and their lines.  But we haven’t really discussed how someone makes a hat, which is, frankly, a little strange, considering I’m in the hat making business.

I think it would be really interesting to watch someone make a hat.  My hat designs rarely involve feathers, so I think it would be cool to watch someone create a 3-dimensional hat. To see how the fabric is molded to fit a hat.  To see how they decide where the line between fashionable and absurd is.  (Personally, sometimes I question their judgment but to each their own).

I liked the author’s comparison to a cooking show as well as the suggestion that this man should be on television.  Imagine if instead of the cooking show Two Fat Ladies, we had the design show, To Large Headed Gentleman.  I think we should have one air right after the other. That would be some quality television.

What did you think of the article?  Would you like to attend a seminar on hat making? 

THE THINGS PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PUT ON THEIR HEAD…SIGH

I’m beginning to think that Madcapz should do a calendar for all of the times that it is socially appropriate to wear ridiculous hats.  There’s the spring and fall fashion week, horse races, Easter, Halloween, and a Royal wedding.  And that’s just off the top of my head.

Anyway, this week we’re talking about the women’s hats at the Kentucky Derby.

Click here to see photos of the hats from the Kentucky Derby: Women’s Hats

I liked the In Praise of Mint Juleps Hat and the Tim Burton Hat best. I do kind of wonder about the people wearing the hats though.  I get the ones that are clearly ridiculous homages to the Kentucky Derby.  If you have some spare money and even more spare time, I think they might be fun to create.  But I’m confused by the women’s hats that don’t seem to have to do with Kentucky Derby, and are still hideous.  I suppose it’s a tradition to wear absurd hats, but do these people walk out of the house thinking “I look good?” I guess if it makes them happy…

Also, am I the only one creeped out by the horse heads on the hats?

What do you think of the hats?  Which ones are your favorites? If you had the chance, would you wear a ridiculous hat to the Kentucky Derby?

TOP 10 REASONS YOUR MOTHER DESERVES A MADCAPZ

Mother’s Day is right around the corner (May 13^th in case you need a reminder). And while I’ve already explained why Madcapz are a great Mother’s Day gift (Mother’s Mad for Madcapz), I have another incentive.  Starting today through Sunday, May 6, we are having a Mother’s Day Sale.  You can save 25% off your order by using the coupon code MOMSDAY at the checkout (not valid with other offers).

Still not convinced?  Here are the Top 10 Reasons your mother deserves a Madcapz

1. She came to everyone of your sports games, and made sure you had the right baseball cap to go with the right uniform.

2. You’ve been borrowing her woman’s fashion accessories since you were old enough to figure out how to put on her heels and her pearls.

3. You inherited your love of pink from her, and she could really use a pink hat.

4. She owns a hat with a logo from your elementary school, middle school, high school and college and could use one that’s much cuter.

5. She taught you when (and how) to do your hair, and when you could just throw on a hat.

6. She let it slide those couple of years where you were super busy and didn’t get her a gift.

7. There’s enough Madcapz to choose from that you and your three sisters can buy her very different woman’s baseball hats.

8.  She made sure you always had your baseball cap when you were going out in the sum.

9. She taught you when it was appropriate to wear a baseball cap.

10. Umm…she’s your mom

ELECTION MADCAPZ

In case you’ve been living on Mars for the past month or so, we’ve been in the midst of a fairly contentious Republican primary.  Well now it’s over, and in honor of the beginning of the general election, we have a topic that the voters really care about: the first lady’s fashion.

Click here to read about: Ann Romney’s Style

You can say it’s sexist, you can say it’s trivial, you can it’s the problem with politics in this country, but discussing what the first lady and the republican nominee’s wife are wearing is fun.  Michelle Obama’s style has become the epitome of class, at times reaching the iconic level of Jackie O.

Anne Romney, for the most part, has dressed well for every occasion, but has yet to really to commit to one particular style of dressing.  To help her decide, I’ve come up with a list of styles she could adopt (and, of course, a corresponding Madcapz).

Elegant: While Michelle Obama seems to have a monopoly on this style, just as Mitt Romney is challenging Barack Obama for the presidency, Ann could challenge Michelle for a place as the queen of class.  Might we suggest the Midnight Moon Madcapz.

Down to Earth: Yes the Romney’s may have 12 houses, 7 private jets and 100 cars (I, for the record, made all of those numbers up out of thin air), but that doesn’t mean that Ann Romney can dress like an “average” woman with a slightly bigger budget.  For this look, we suggest the Not Quite White Madcapz.

Pure Fun: Yes, the presidential race should be kind of serious, but that doesn’t mean that Ann Romney can’t have a little fun.  Celebration Madcapz will go a long way towards creating this look. 

Do you like Ann Romney’s Style? Or do you think she should go in a different direction?

FASHION FORWARD BASEBALL CAPS ARE IN…Oh wait, that’s us!

There is a new trend sweeping the nation and it’s…WOMAN’S BASEBALL CAPS!

Click here for the New York Times Style Section article on woman’s baseball caps:  NEW YORK TIMES STYLE SECTION

So sweeping the nation might be a slight stretch, but this is definitely the third article I’ve seen about this, and you know what they say, one is nothing, two is a coincidence, three is a trend.

And they clearly aren’t men’s hats, they are designed for women.  Some even have patterns on them. Now please excuse me for a second while I pat myself on the back for being ahead of the curve.

We all know that woman’s baseball caps are great for sports, whether it’s tennis, running, hiking, or walking to the field to watch your kid play a sport.  But I feel like that’s selling them short.  There’s just too much potential there. There’s no reason that these hats have to be confined to days when you don’t shower.  Woman’s baseball caps should be meant to, and Madcapz are meant to, be worn when you already look great, and the hat adds something to the outfit.

OK, but you know that I think this.  I’m just glad that the rest of the world is finally coming around to my way of thinking.

Are you glad that these hats are finally getting their day in the spotlight? What do you think of the other fashion accessories in this slide show?

TOP 8 WAYS TO MESS WITH PEOPLE WHILE WEARING OUR DOT TO DOT MADCAPZ

So I’m feeling a little mischievous today, but don’t worry, this hat is still great even if you’re not trying to trick anybody while wearing it.

Top 8 Ways to Mess with People While Wearing this Woman’s Baseball Cap

1. Tell them that the woman’s baseball cap is white; you don’t know what dots they’re talking about.

2. Tell them that all the dots on this woman’s fashion accessory are the same color.

3. Tell them that the dots form a picture, and it should be really obvious what it is.

4. Tell them it’s actually a new form of the “connect the dots” game.

5. Explain that all tennis whites have little dots on them, and marvel at the fact they haven’t noticed this before.

6. Tell them that before they talk to you, they have to count all of the dots on this white cap, and then slightly move the cap whenever they get to a number above ten.

7. Let them know that the woman’s baseball cap is actually a metaphor for racial equality in this country; don’t explain it any further (this one works best if you walk away, shaking your head slowly when they don’t understand it).

8. Wear the hat whenever you hang out with one person, and act like it’s new every time (trust me, you’ll want to wear the hat all of the time anyway, you should get to mess with someone’s head while doing it).