Comments (57)

• Curt Howland

  I like #3, but I don't wear baseball caps.

  Published: December 5, 2005 2:29 PM

• J. H. Huebert

  Like Mr. Howland, I think #3 is best and don't wear caps.
  
  

  In my mind, more important than the logo is this question: Are they fitted, or adjustable? The one-size-fits-all cap--or, as Paul Fussell calls it in his book, Class, the "prole cap"--is beneath the Mises Institute's (and Mr. Tucker's) usual high standards!

  Published: December 5, 2005 2:54 PM

• David White

  I'm for number one. It looks like money -- real money -- and makes a statement accordingly.

  And I DO where caps.

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:07 PM

• hz

  none of these seem to go very well with a coat and tie.

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:08 PM

• jeffrey

  Mr. Huebert raises the all-important issue of size, impugning the marvelous Flex-Fit technology with the label "prol," a word drawn from the Marxist lexicon no less.

  Now, I admit that I only recently discovered Flex-Fit but it struck me as a wonderful innovation in hats! Rather than the plastic tab thing on the back or a sliding strip (both are unsightly!), it is a clean and clear fabric stretching across the fullness of the entire space, thereby earning for the hat the looking of a precision-sized hat but without the fuss of using a measuring tape to figure out if you are 7 3/4 or 7 3/8 or whatever. It is also very comfortable.

  Are you sure you mean to condemn this advance in hat technology or do you refer to the old-style plastic stick tab thing? I can't imagine that you wouldn't adore this. In fact, when we shopped for just the right hat, this was the first consideration: it had to be a Flex-
  Fit. So you can imagine my shock.

  Oh and by the way, this is a cotton hat and not a goofy synthetic number.

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:17 PM

• Jim Cox

  I like number 3 (which I assume is the one at the bottom as they are not actually numbered). But it would help to see a direct-on larger view of the logos. And I prefer the one size fits all!

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:29 PM

• David J. Heinrich

  I agree with Jeff's assessment of the flex-fit hats.

  Personally, I like hat #2 the best: it has the bird's crescent, which in my view makes it more sophisticated than hat #3.

  However, I also like hat #1. It is classic, simple, elegant, and as David White said, "It looks like money -- real money -- and makes a statement accordingly."

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:32 PM

• Wild Pegasus

  The logos on the front of caps should not be busy. Caps #2 and #3 are both too busy. #1 is not.

  I also recommend a cap with a German-style capital M for a logo.

  - Josh

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:46 PM

• jeffrey

  We were also thinking that a small "Mises.org" at the base on the back would be a good idea.

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:49 PM

• David J. Heinrich

  Jeff,

  Mises.org at the base of the back is definately a good idea! Advertise for Mises.org. Also, maybe put it on the front.

  Published: December 5, 2005 3:59 PM

• Dick Clark

  I agree with those above who prefer the gold coat of arms.

  Published: December 5, 2005 4:26 PM

• jeffrey

  Some people are saying that #1 looks like a Navy hat that some war veteran would wear, like USS Blah blah. Something to think about. Also, there is a #4 now! thoughts?

  Published: December 5, 2005 4:31 PM

• Justin

  I like #1 as is, sans logo. Nothing beats a simple, uncluttered look. It appears as if Ludwig von Mises Institute would already be prominently displayed anyway.

  Published: December 5, 2005 4:37 PM

• Koen

  I like #4 cuz it's simple and has 'mises.org' on it. Although I'm not sure whether people will directly rush to their computers and type it in just cuz they see it on someone's baseball cap

  Published: December 5, 2005 4:47 PM

• Tom

  They're all much too "grand" -- more Austro-Hungarian Empire than Austrian economics.

  Published: December 5, 2005 4:55 PM

• David White

  Tom,

  I wondered about that too, but note the "money" icon on the Mises.org masthead.

  As for the "Navy" look, what about switching from a blue cap to a black one -- i.e., to a "black gold"/real gold combo?

  I'll order five right now! -- one for me and the rest for my Friday morning book club (fellow UVA grads) who are finally coming around to the libertarian cause. (Our first book, three years ago, was DiLorenzo's "The Real Lincoln.")

  Published: December 5, 2005 5:03 PM

• Frank N Stein

  You need a hat that gets people's attention. A coat of arms won't be as effective as "Tax is Theft" on the front and mises.org on the back. I'd buy one.

  Published: December 5, 2005 5:04 PM

• David J. Heinrich

  I think the comment about keeping things simple is right on target. In light of that, either 1st (w/ gold, and Mises.org on back), or 4th (w/ simple shield, but w/o Mises.org on front, but instead on back) are good...although the logo on the 2nd hat rocks

  Published: December 5, 2005 5:11 PM

• George Gaskell

  I think hats Nos. 2 and 3 have attractive logos, but they are very elaborate and thus out of place on a baseball cap, like wearing $400 dress shoes with surfer shorts.

  That leaves Nos. 1 and 4.

  No. 1 has a kind of governmental Navy/Homeland Security look to it, which (do I really have to say it?) is out out out.

  That leaves No. 4. Although I like the idea of having the Mises.org only on the back, not both back and front.

  (Although No. 3 is really quite attractive ...)

  Published: December 5, 2005 5:12 PM

• George Reisman

  Number 4 is best, followed by number 2.

  Published: December 5, 2005 5:50 PM

• Larry Ruane

  I also like 4 the best. And I like the flex-fit idea.

  Published: December 5, 2005 6:17 PM

• J. H. Huebert

  Never seen flex-fit, so I can't comment, though I'm inclined to trust Mr. Tucker's judgment on such matters. Now Number 4 is best--especially if you move "mises.org" to the back.

  Published: December 5, 2005 6:46 PM

• jeffrey

  Oh this flex-fit thing is totally remarkable. It comes in two sizes S-M and L-XL. It wraps carefully to fit the head just right and includes no crazy sizing gizmo. It seems durable too. Normally, one might eschew articles of clothing that shrink or expand to fit the size (pants e.g.) but it seems that elastic has at last found its natural and proper home in the back of a hat. It strikes me as a vast improvement over even carefully sized hats because of the comfort question.

  One standard I've been trying to use with all this stuff is: if this were in my closet, would I want to grab this article of clothing more than any other I own. (This is CERTAINLY true for the tie we have coming out, and true for many things). It is true for Flex-Fit: preferable to all other styles.
  

  Published: December 5, 2005 7:11 PM

• Brent Nelson

  #1 and #3. mises.org only on the back.
  

  Published: December 5, 2005 7:48 PM

• Marc

  I would prefer a navy cap with mises.org in gold.
  The other designs are too busy for a cap. mises.org could be a great conversation starter and would have the advantage of being large enough for people to identify and read.

  On the caps, I am a traditionalist. I prefer a wool fixed size baseball cap. Cotton is acceptable, but I do not like the flex-fit. I have a large head (7 3/8) and the flex-fits I have tried were too tight.

  Besides what civilized man doesn't know their hat/cap size?
  

  Published: December 5, 2005 7:56 PM

• Francis

  #3 is the best looking.
  It's no more "complicated" than the others; it's not like anyone who doesn't know already about Mises.org will understand any logo...

  Published: December 5, 2005 8:50 PM

• Kamarat

  I like # 2 the best. Since this is something that people would weare, I think the color contrast is very nice. I do not wear baseball caps either. I prefer flat caps. Which the logo would need to be on the back. I think logo 2-4 should be made into flat caps. The logo would be on the back along with the website. A blue one and a blue/green plaid one would be nice. I would also like to see them on beanie hats or some call them night watchmen has or skull cap. Anyway, they are sure nice for these winter seasons.

  Published: December 5, 2005 11:42 PM

• Cornelius van Vorst

  #1, but on a black cap. Black (anarchist) with a gold logo (capitalist)... anyone see where I'm going with this?

  Published: December 5, 2005 11:58 PM

• P.M.Lawrence

  Of those on offer (anything you like, as long as it's a baseball cap) I prefer the first. But I feel you would get greater flexibility just going for a badge and allowing people to choose their own hats, within certain style limits to head off aesthetic clashes.

  By and large, the general rule seems to be, avoid fussiness (except that a fussy element within a larger use of blank space works), and comply with the heraldic idea of avoiding placing "metal" (or, argent, etc.) colours adjacent to each other or non-metals (azure, sable, etc.) adjacent (there is too much optical bleeding that way). Don't forget, heraldry also made good use of crests and supporting beasts, and there is the whole tradition of Japanese art combining elements with different levels of abstraction and nature too.

  In brief, go for a badge with a defined abstract edge (an ellipse with the Greek key pattern?) holding something heraldically constructed and pictographically oriented, with the right neutral colour background to provide a decent amount of blank space. There's a lot of art criticism out there you could consult.
  

  Published: December 6, 2005 2:35 AM

• Bucky Dent

  4 is cleanest design with necessary explanatory text.

  Published: December 6, 2005 5:57 AM

• Chris Meisenzahl

  I think I prefer #3.

  Published: December 6, 2005 7:42 AM

• Dwight Johnson

  I like #4, but with the "mises.org" in the back only. My second favorite is #2. The other two are too busy. #1 does look military, but I'd salute it.

  Published: December 6, 2005 7:43 AM

• Dwight Johnson

  Sorry. The brain and the fingers are not connecting this morning. My second favorite is #1. #2 and 3 are the ones that are too busy.

  Published: December 6, 2005 7:44 AM

• mike

  #4 (if that is the bottom one) with mises.org on the back.

  BTW: how about issuing 1 oz. gold and silver medals for purchase. I'd pay a premium over a gold eagle to have a coin that said "tu ne cede malis . . " on it.

  Published: December 6, 2005 8:53 AM

• SteamshipTime

  Concur with Dwight Johnson. #4, with MISES.ORG in the back. #1 is good as well.

  Also agree with Dwight: 2 and 3 are just too ... busy.

  Published: December 6, 2005 8:57 AM

• Rich Wilcke

  My preference is the first cap with the gold seal assuming that the strip around it says something about the Institute. I can't read it. I also feel the suggestion of black, rather than blue, is far superior. Blue is the team color of some detested teams. Everyone either hates or loves blue. I am a blue hater. I like black. Black is beautiful.

  Published: December 6, 2005 11:15 AM

• TJV

  I like #1, but I agree with the objections to navy. I like black clothing (especially on hats), and I think #1 would look great with the gold contrasting black. I agree that the cap should probably have "mises.org" on it somewhere (on the back is a good idea), or people aren't going to have the slightest clue what the hat's about (how many people can quickly identify the Mises family crest?). One caveat, though: like many others who have posted, I don't wear baseball caps much.

  Published: December 6, 2005 12:42 PM

• TJV

  Ooops, missed that last post, viz: "My preference is the first cap with the gold seal assuming that the strip around it says something about the Institute. I can't read it."

  Ditto. What does that say?

  Regards,

  Published: December 6, 2005 12:44 PM

• James

  I like 1 and 4, and I wear baseball caps quite a bit. The others (2 and 3) just look a bit too 'frilly' for my taste. Cornelius' point strikes home with me... I'd order a black hat with the gold logo (#1), then a blue #4... when can we order? :)

  Published: December 6, 2005 1:18 PM

• jeffrey

  Ok, taking in to consideration some comments here are two additional models. #5 (#1 with black hat) and #6 (something completely different)

  Published: December 6, 2005 2:50 PM

• David J. Heinrich

  #6 is definately the best. Hopefully, with Mises.org on the back.

  Published: December 6, 2005 3:15 PM

• Allen Dalton

  #6 is the only one I would wear (and mises.org on the back is an excellent idea David)and I wear hats all summer and much of the fall (could you make it in blue and orange lettering?)

  Published: December 6, 2005 4:43 PM

• Marc

  #6!!! Clear, readable, and to the point.

  Published: December 6, 2005 5:58 PM

• Brent Nelson

  Hey, maybe mises.org should just sell these as trim to go on the Hat of your choice
  

  Published: December 6, 2005 6:48 PM

• Raymond Weklar

  #6 looks great and is bound to generate the most comment and questions from friends and passersby, as in "What is the Ludwig von Mises Institute?"

  Now there's an opening!

  Published: December 6, 2005 7:06 PM

• Kenneth R. Gregg

  If I wore baseball caps (which I do not!), I do like the clean simplicity of the #6 logo. Perhaps a Panama hat, beret, or cowboy/australian hat(I have found these work better with a tie and coat) could be used? Even a bowler.
  Just a thought.
  Just Ken
  kgregglv@cox.net
  http://classicalliberalism.blogspot.com/

  Published: December 6, 2005 8:11 PM

• Tom

  #6. Absolutely. Now you're getting real.

  Published: December 6, 2005 10:04 PM

• Artisan

  I don't think they're too much original, while I guess it's a purpose not to be shocking. Er, sorry but they look too conservative to me...

  I'd still like better to see a hat in the street that just says in front, in bold small decent characters: Austrian Economics, and in the back: LVM institute...

  Another more vigorous idea, as opposed to the democrat T-shirts that I've seen in the US, would be a round no-smoking-type signal with the word INTERVENTION inside, which would be barred.

  Published: December 7, 2005 5:27 AM

• Dave

  How about "Tu ne cede malis" embroidered on the front, with or without the coat of arms from hat #4, and "mises.org" on the back?

  Published: December 7, 2005 9:16 AM

• Stefan Karlsson

  I think they're all good, but my favourite is number 6, followed by 3 and 4.

  Published: December 7, 2005 12:13 PM

• Raymond Weklar

  I also like the Panama hat idea.

  Published: December 7, 2005 3:14 PM

• Bob Dobalina

  As one of the few under-30s on this board, I can say that #4 is the only hat I would even consider wearing outside of the house.

  The rest of you must dress like a bunch of old men. ;-)

  Published: December 7, 2005 6:44 PM

• Dwight Johnson

  You know, Jeffrey, Bob is right: you have been ignoring the under-30s. Forget hats. How about a nice lip stud with the Mises coat-of-arms? Give us "old men" a reason to by stylish again.

  Published: December 8, 2005 5:42 AM

• jeffrey

  And yet others say that this blog ignores everyone over 30!

  Published: December 8, 2005 7:45 AM

• jeffrey

  ok, great great news on the hat. We found a supplier who can get us this wonderful cotton hat with a low profile and auto-flex, and a firm and nicely shaped bill, for a reasonable price. We are going to move on this. If only we could settle on a design!

  Published: December 8, 2005 10:38 AM

• anarkhos

  Dang, am I the only one who prefers #5?

  Published: December 8, 2005 2:32 PM

• jeffrey

  Extra extra, a hat decision has been made!!! We are going with #6. Thank you to everyone who contributed. You input was enormously valuable. It will be available in a few weeks.
  

  Published: December 16, 2005 3:38 PM