If you walk into a sports bar on the North Side, you’re going to see a sea of blue. But every July, that blue starts looking a little weird. Maybe it’s a mint green brim or a weird neon patch that feels more like Miami than Clark and Addison. We’re talking about the chicago cubs all star hat, a piece of headwear that has become one of the most polarizing items in the MLB shop. Some years, the design is a home run. Other years? It feels like a strikeout looking with the bases loaded.
New Era and MLB have a tough job. They have to keep things fresh. They have to sell hats to people who already own ten standard "C" caps. But for a franchise as steeped in tradition as the Cubs, straying too far from that classic royal blue is risky business. Fans are protective. They remember the history.
The Evolution of the Midsummer Classic Look
It wasn't always this way. Back in the day, players just wore their team’s standard home or away cap. You’d see a mix of every team on the field at once. It looked like a real "All-Star" collection. Then, the marketing machines realized they were leaving money on the table. Enter the era of specialized All-Star Game (ASG) apparel.
The chicago cubs all star hat started following specific design themes based on the host city. If the game was in San Diego, you might see some sandy tones. If it was in Colorado, maybe some mountain silhouettes.
Honestly, it’s a gamble every single year. Take the 2024 design, for example. The league went with a style that leaned heavily into the host city’s aesthetic—Texas. For the Cubs, this meant a design that felt a bit "Western," which is a far cry from the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field. Some fans loved the change of pace. They wanted something that screamed "I was there" or "I remember this specific season." Others? They thought it looked like something you’d find in a gas station gift shop.
What Makes a "Good" Design Anyway?
The tension usually comes down to the logo. The Cubs have one of the most iconic logos in professional sports history. It’s simple. It’s a red "C" with "ubs" inside it, or just the lone walking bear. When designers start messing with the color palette of that logo to match a league-wide All-Star theme, things get dicey.
- Color Integrity: Does the blue still look like Cubs blue?
- Side Patches: The ASG logo is usually slapped on the side. Sometimes it’s massive.
- The Mesh Factor: Trucker styles come and go in fashion, but on a baseball field, they can look a bit "youth league" if not handled correctly.
Recently, the 59FIFTY high-crown fitted remains the gold standard. Even if the colors are wild, the structure of the hat keeps it grounded in professional sports. If you’re a purist, you probably hate the "minty" or "neon" flourishes. But if you’re a collector, those are exactly the details that make the hat valuable five years down the line. You want people to ask, "Hey, what year is that from?"
Why Collectors Scramble for These Caps
Supply and demand is a real thing. These aren't like the standard caps that New Era pumps out by the millions every month. Once the All-Star break is over, the production runs usually dry up. If a Cubs player has a breakout performance—like a Shota Imanaga or a Justin Steele—suddenly that year's chicago cubs all star hat becomes a piece of memorabilia.
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It’s about the "moment."
Think about the years when the Cubs sent half the infield to the game. Those hats represent a peak era. Owning one is a badge of honor for fans who stuck through the "Lovable Losers" years and finally saw their guys dominating the national stage.
Retailers like Fanatics and the MLB Shop often sell out of the popular sizes (7 1/4, 7 3/8) within days of the rosters being announced. If you wait until the game actually starts to buy one, you’re probably looking at eBay prices. And those prices? They aren't friendly.
Spotting a Real vs. Fake All-Star Cap
Because these hats are limited, the counterfeit market is huge. You’ll see them on sketchy websites for $15. Don't fall for it.
A real New Era 59FIFTY chicago cubs all star hat will have very specific hallmarks. The stitching on the side patch should be dense. If you can see the fabric through the embroidery, it’s a knockoff. The holographic sticker under the brim is another giveaway. On the ASG versions, there’s often a specific metallic thread used in the All-Star logo that cheap factories just can’t replicate.
Also, look at the sweatband. Genuine MLB hats have moisture-wicking tech now. If it feels like cheap cotton, stay away.
The "Curse" of the Modern Design
There is a segment of the fanbase that firmly believes the All-Star uniforms—and by extension, the hats—have gone downhill since Nike took over the jersey contract and pushed for more "unified" looks. In the past, the chicago cubs all star hat was just the Cubs hat with a patch. Now, the whole hat is redesigned to fit a league-wide template.
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This "template" approach is what gets people riled up. When the Cubs are forced to wear black or charcoal or neon orange because that's the "theme" of the year, it feels wrong. It loses the identity of the North Side.
However, the younger demographic eats this up. Streetwear culture has a massive influence on MLB design now. Hats aren't just for the game anymore; they’re for the outfit. A charcoal gray Cubs hat with a vibrant ASG patch looks great with a pair of Jordans. It’s a bridge between old-school baseball and modern fashion.
Which Years Were the Best?
If you ask ten different fans, you’ll get ten different answers. But generally, the 2016 designs hold a special place. Obviously, that year was magical for the Cubs. Anything associated with the 2016 season is gold. The 2016 ASG hat featured a gold-outlined logo that felt prestigious. It felt like a championship was coming.
Then you have the "taco bell" hats from the late 70s and early 80s—the pillbox styles. While not modern ASG hats, their influence often creeps back into "throwback" All-Star designs. When the MLB goes retro, the fans usually respond well. It’s when they try to go "future" that things get messy.
How to Style and Maintain Your ASG Hat
If you actually managed to snag a chicago cubs all star hat, you need to take care of it. These aren't your "mowing the lawn" hats.
First off, keep it out of the sun when you aren't wearing it. The specialized dyes used for the ASG colors tend to fade faster than standard royal blue. If you’ve got a "mint" or "sunset" colored brim, UV rays are your enemy.
For cleaning, never—and I mean never—put it in the dishwasher. People used to swear by that "cap cage" trick, but modern hats have structured buckram in the front that can turn into mush if it gets too wet. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny bit of detergent for spot cleaning.
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If it's a fitted hat, the steam trick is your best friend. If it’s a little tight or the crown is looking a bit crushed, hold it over a boiling kettle for 30 seconds and then shape it with your hands.
The Future of Cubs All-Star Gear
As we look toward 2025 and 2026, the rumor mill is already swirling about where the designs will go next. With the league pushing more "City Connect" styles, don't be surprised if the chicago cubs all star hat starts incorporating more of those neighborhood-specific elements. Maybe we'll see more of the "Wrigleyville" font or the light blue colors of the Chicago flag.
Is it "traditional"? No. Is it "Cubs"? Sorta. Will it sell out? Absolutely.
Actionable Tips for the Dedicated Fan
If you're serious about adding one of these to your collection, you can't just wing it.
- Set Alerts: Follow accounts like @Lids or @NewEraCap on X (formerly Twitter). They usually announce the drop dates a week before they hit the shelves.
- Know Your Size: All-Star hats often run a tiny bit smaller because of the extra embroidery from the side patch. If you're between sizes, go up.
- Check Local Shops: Everyone checks the big websites first. Local Chicago shops like Clark Street Sports often have stock when the national retailers are sold out.
- Verify the Patch: If you're buying a "vintage" All-Star hat, make sure the patch matches the year the game was held. You'd be surprised how many "franken-hats" exist where someone just sewed a patch onto a standard cap.
The chicago cubs all star hat is more than just a piece of apparel. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time. Whether you love the bold new designs or pine for the days of simple royal blue, these hats are a core part of the baseball experience. They represent the best of the best. And for a Cubs fan, seeing that "C" on the national stage is always worth the price of admission—or the price of a new hat.
Don't wait until the second half of the season to start your search. The best designs vanish faster than a 100-mph fastball. Keep your eyes on the release calendars, stay away from the knockoffs, and wear that North Side pride even if the brim is a weird shade of neon. After all, it's about the players on the field, not just the threads on your head.
Check the official MLB shop during the first week of July for the newest drop. If you miss the primary window, head over to trusted secondary markets like StockX or specialized hat forums where collectors trade "deadstock" (unworn) versions. Just be prepared to pay the "collector's tax" if you wait too long.