Whether you‘re a die-hard sports fan looking to rep your favorite team or just want a stylish, well-made hat to wear every day, there‘s a good chance you‘ve come across 47 Brand before. This Boston-based company has been a go-to source for officially licensed sports headwear and apparel since 1947. Over the past 75+ years, they‘ve built a reputation for quality, style and authenticity that has made them an iconic brand for sports fans around the world.
In this comprehensive 47 Brand hats review, we‘ll take a closer look at what makes this brand and its products so popular. We‘ll highlight some of their most well-known hat styles, discuss materials and construction, provide essential fit and sizing info, and share real customer reviews. By the end, you‘ll have all the details you need to decide if 47 Brand is the right choice for your sports hat needs.
The 47 Brand Story
To really understand 47 Brand, it helps to know a bit about its unique history. The company started from humble beginnings back in 1947, when twin Italian immigrant brothers Arthur and Henry D‘Angelo began selling sports pennants and other memorabilia on the streets around Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
Over time, they expanded to selling headwear and apparel and grew their small street cart into a successful sports products company originally known as Twins Enterprises. The company was the originator of the now-ubiquitous style of adjustable "Franchise Hat" with the snap-back closure and sold a customized version to the Brooklyn Dodgers as early as 1954.
In the decades since, 47 Brand (as it was officially renamed in 2010) has greatly expanded its product selection and reach. Today, the company holds over 350 licenses in the U.S. and international sports markets and creates hats, apparel and accessories for MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, college teams and more. Even after Arthur D‘Angelo‘s passing in 2022 at the age of 97, his family continues to own and operate 47 Brand and carry on its legacy.
While 47 Brand has grown significantly since its early days, its commitment to quality, style and officially licensed products remains the same. Every 47 Brand hat is made with the goal of connecting dedicated fans with the sports franchises they love and turning casual bystanders into loyal supporters. Let‘s take a look at some of the brand‘s most popular hats to see how they achieve this.
Top 47 Brand Hat Styles to Know
47 Brand offers a wide variety of hat styles to suit every team, taste and preference. However, there are a few key collections that the brand is especially well-known for:
‘47 CLEAN UP
The ‘47 Clean Up is 47 Brand‘s signature adjustable hat. It has a relaxed, unstructured fit, tonal cotton twill fabric, and a bent brim and sewn eyelets. The Clean Up is one of the brand‘s most popular and versatile styles. It works just as well for running errands or going to class as it does for catching a game.
‘47 FRANCHISE
The ‘47 Franchise hat is 47 Brand‘s premium fitted cap. It features durable wool construction, a grosgrain taped seam on the visor edge, and a flat embroidered logo on the front. This structured, high-profile hat provides a classic look that never goes out of style. Some Franchise hats are even made with sustainable REPREVE recycled polyester fabric.
‘47 MVP
If you‘re looking for a well-rounded hat that performs on and off the field, the ‘47 MVP is an ideal choice. This adjustable cap has a pliable visor and front/back panels that provide enhanced shape retention. It‘s garment washed for softness and durability and has a faded and weathered look. Choose the Vintage MVP if you want an even more washed-out appearance.
‘47 CAPTAIN
For a classic, easygoing dad hat, reach for the ‘47 Captain. This adjustable hat has a soft cotton construction, unstructured crown, and a lightly curved brim. The Captain features team color lining under the visor and interior sweatband. Thanks to its minimal details and embroidery, this style has a timeless feel and works for all ages.
These core styles are just a few of the many hats offered by 47 Brand. The company is constantly innovating, whether it‘s by releasing special collections with unique fabrications, creating fan-customized designs through its ‘47 CUSTOM program, or collaborating with players and franchises on limited-edition products.
47 Brand Hat Materials and Quality
In addition to its appealing styles, 47 Brand is known for its use of premium materials and quality construction. The company relies on sturdy cotton or wool twill for most of its hats, providing softness and long-term durability. Compared to some of its competitors, 47 Brand hats tend to be thicker and more substantial.
47 Brand focuses on small details like raised, embroidered logos rather than printed graphics, sewn eyelets, and sweat-wicking internal sweatbands. Shoppers appreciate that 47 hats have a well-made look and feel and hold up through repeated wear and washing.
In recent years, 47 Brand has also been expanding its selection of sustainable headwear options. Most notably, the brand‘s Franchise New Earth Friendly hat is made with a blend of cotton and REPREVE recycled polyester from plastic bottles. This allows fans to proudly support their team while also reducing their environmental impact.
47 Brand Hat Sizing and Fit
Finding a hat that fits perfectly can be challenging, but 47 Brand aims to make it easy by providing a wide range of sizes. The company uses a numbered sizing system that correlates with head circumference in centimeters. For fitted hats, sizes typically range from size 6 (55 cm) all the way to size 8 or 5XL (65.4 cm). This ensures that nearly any fan can find their ideal fit.
Many of 47 Brand‘s most popular styles, like the ‘47 Clean Up and MVP, are adjustable "one size fits all" hats. These caps have hook-and-loop or snap closures that allow the wearer to loosen or tighten the hat to their preferred fit. However, it‘s important to note that even adjustable hats may not work for all head sizes.
In addition to numbered sizing, 47 Brand categorizes its hats by general fit:
- Low Profile: Shallow, close-fitting crown
- Mid Profile: Standard, average-depth crown
- High Profile: Deep, roomy crown
- Adjustable: Customizable fit
If you‘re not sure what size or style is right for you, 47 Brand provides a helpful Hat Fit Guide on its website with tips for measuring your head and choosing the right hat profile. The brand also offers kids and youth sizes, as well as a small selection of women-specific silhouettes.
47 Brand‘s Selection and Collaborations
One of the biggest draws of 47 Brand is its extensive variety of officially licensed sports products. As of 2023, the company holds over 350 licenses across the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, Minor League Baseball and collegiate teams. This allows fans to easily find a high-quality hat that represents their favorite club, no matter how niche or local.
In addition to its core offerings, 47 Brand keeps things interesting by regularly releasing special collections and limited-edition collaborations. One unique example is the company‘s Carhartt X 47 Collection, which combines 47 Brand‘s premium sports designs with Carhartt‘s iconic workwear aesthetic.
47 Brand also partners with individual athletes and cultural icons on exclusive collections, such as the recent Sam Darnold SD14 Collection. These collaborations help 47 Brand reach new audiences and stay culturally relevant.
For fans who want to create their own customized gear, 47 Brand offers a CUSTOM program. This service allows shoppers to choose every element of their hat‘s design, from fabrics and colors to patches and embroidery. That way, you can create headwear that perfectly represents your style and favorite teams.
What Customers Are Saying About 47 Brand Hats
With so many options available, selecting the right 47 Brand hat can feel overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision, we‘ve rounded up feedback from real 47 Brand customers across various online review platforms:
"I‘m a big guy with a big head and it‘s hard to find hats that fit well. 47 Brand is one of the only companies that consistently offers XXL and larger sizes that look and feel great. The quality is always on point and the hats break in nicely over time." – Bill F., 47 Brand website
"I love how many different teams and styles 47 Brand has. Whether I want an old school Franchise Boston Red Sox hat or something more modern for my alma mater, I know they‘ll have it. The adjustable caps tend to shrink a bit in the wash, but the fitted hats hold up really well." – Sarah T., Amazon
"You can‘t beat 47 Brand for the price. The hats are stylish, feel substantial and last a long time. I have a few caps from ‘47 that are over 5 years old and still look great. The flat brim ones can be tricky to shape how you want, but the Clean Up and MVP are basically effortless." – Mark R., Fanatics
Overall, customers praise 47 Brand‘s quality, style, value and inclusive sizing. While some shoppers note minor issues with consistency between styles or slight shrinkage, the vast majority of reviews are positive. 47 Brand hats are especially popular among shoppers with larger head sizes who have trouble finding hats that fit from other brands.
How 47 Brand Compares to the Competition
Within the realm of officially licensed sports headwear, 47 Brand‘s biggest competitors are New Era and Nike. Like 47 Brand, both of these companies offer a wide variety of hats for various leagues and teams. However, there are a few key differences to note:
Compared to New Era, 47 Brand hats tend to have a more relaxed, unstructured fit. 47 Brand also offers significantly more vintage and washed-out styles, while New Era focuses primarily on crisp, structured fitteds. New Era hats are the official on-field caps of the MLB, so they‘re often seen as the gold standard for baseball headwear.
Nike is a much larger company than 47 Brand and has a broader selection of apparel and fan gear. As a result, Nike‘s hats are just one segment of its product catalog, while headwear is 47 Brand‘s primary focus. Nike‘s most popular cap is the Legacy91 adjustable hat, which has a similar look to 47 Brand‘s Clean Up.
Ultimately, which brand is "best" comes down to your individual needs and preferences. If you want a sleek, modern fitted, go for New Era. If you want a sportswear brand that offers more than just hats, choose Nike. If you want a relaxed fit, vintage-inspired look, or inclusive sizing, 47 Brand is the way to go.
Conclusion: Is 47 Brand Worth It?
After diving deep into 47 Brand‘s history, products, and customer feedback, our verdict is that yes, 47 Brand hats are definitely worth the investment for sports fans. The company‘s commitment to quality, style and officially licensed products is unmatched. Whether you want an on-trend fitted, a classic adjustable, or a throwback style, 47 Brand has you covered.
47 Brand hats are accessibly priced, with most styles falling between $20 and $40. Considering their durability and long-term wearability, they offer great value for the money. The fact that the company sells directly on its website and through a wide variety of retailers makes it easy to find the exact hat you want.
Perhaps most importantly, 47 Brand fosters a sense of community and helps fans feel connected to their favorite teams. In a world where sports are often big business, 47 Brand remains committed to its humble roots and the fans who have supported it for over 75 years. You may forget the score of the big game, but you‘ll always remember the feeling of pride and belonging that comes with putting on your trusty 47 hat.
So go ahead and pick up a 47 Brand hat (or a few) for every sports fan on your list – we doubt you‘ll regret it.
Header image source: 47brand.com
