Does wearing a brimmed, bonce cover boost your outfit to the “peak” of everything stylish and contemporary? The baseball cap has long been one of menswear’s most divisive accessories. Or is it a one-way trip to the naughty step in fashion?
It’s a debate that has divided the fashion industry for decades, but as time goes on, more and more guys realize that, like beanies, the valid question isn’t whether we should wear them but rather how to wear them.
BASEBALL CAP HISTORY
The Knickerbockers were a baseball team that originated in New York City in 1849. The earliest iteration of the cap we now know and love was inspired by the straw head coverings they wore throughout the games to protect them from the sun. Shortly after, merino wool caps, which are more similar to modern caps, appeared.
The “59Fifty” hat, created in 1954 by the headwear business New Era, is likely the most closely related design to the current style of cap that we are familiar with. According to Epic Sports, it eventually became Major League Baseball’s official cap and is being manufactured today.
THERE ARE SIX BASEBALL CAP STYLES
- THE SNAPBACK
The snapback cap has become the go-to accessory for Major League heavy hitters, hip-hop legends, hairy hipsters, and countless others, thanks to its flat top, six-panel construction, and structured design. Its name refers to the hat’s snap closure on the back; however, adjustable “strapback” variations are also popular.
2. THE FIVE PANEL
With its roots in performance cycling, the five-panel cap unexpectedly became a skating classic in the 1990s before finding its true home in the streetwear industry. The five-panel cap was promoted by skate mainstays like Supreme and Danish minimalists Norse Projects, who have made this hat style their signature headwear, inspiring countless copies. It is known for its rounded, low-profile design.
3. THE TRUCKER
We’ll raise our hands now. We know that the trucker cap isn’t a must in the realm of hats. Actually, it’s quite the opposite—thanks to Von Dutch, Ashton Kutcher, and truckers. Still, there is hope. Choose the best one, combine it with the best gear, and it could just be possible to restore the charm of this mesh-paneled pariah.
4. THE DAD CAP
Although the dad cap has been a popular hat type for many years, its name only came around recently. This simple lid is a fantastic spot for beginners to start because it is named after the style that your old guy would wear. A simple curved-peak form, an unformed body, and other embellishments like a faded appearance frequently distinguish it.
5. THE SPORTS CAP
Sport may have been responsible for the invention of the classic baseball cap, but that was more than a century ago. Modern athletes have access to various high-tech, lightweight textiles and creative production techniques that would make players from the past go ballistic and possibly have Nike’s CEO burnt at stake.
6. PREMIUM
It cannot be emphasized how PREMIUM Fashion helped the baseball cap grow. Headgear was transformed into a fashionable item that could, at the stroke of a button, even be worn with tailoring thanks to the emergence of high-quality materials, textured textiles, and simple, minimalist designs.
TIPS FOR WEARING BASEBALL CAPS
- For the love of God, remove the sticker from the brim. Not like 50 Cent, you.
- Make sure your head can comfortably fit it. Nothing like furiously chasing a windy cap down the street ruins your casual appearance.
- Check to see if it’s not preventing your circulation on the same note. A prominent red line across your brow is unlikely to improve your appearance.
- Wear it backwards sparingly, and with caution. Never put it on the back.
- When feasible, choose simplicity over flash. A simple cap will complement more of your clothes and is more elegant.
- Make sure that hair won’t be a problem later if you plan to wear a cap for the day.