Sexy 1938 Denfeld Beanie
Beanies are not likely to make any back-to-school fashion lists in 2022, but at some point in time Denfeld High School had a line of round, brimless, snug-fitting, maroon-and-gold skullcaps.
Although the one in the photo above sports the year 1938, it most likely wasn’t made in 1938. It looks like a more modern screen printing job. Also, there is a similar beanie among the relics on display at the school, and it bears the year 1947.
So, who can provide Denfeld’s beanie backstory? When did someone decide to print up a bunch of beanies with different years on them and for what purpose?
On a sort of related note, the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Kathryn A. Martin Library has several images of students wearing UMD “freshman beanies” for “freshman orientation” during the mid 1900s.
The UMD beanies had a brim.
I recall that during the Denfeld All Class Reunion in 1976, classmates attending were given beanies with the year that they graduated. Probably where the screen printed version came from.
Thanks Jim! That’s the theory I had, but I was totally guessing with no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise. I also thought it would be strange in that circumstance to choose beanies as a souvenir, but, well, there it is.