Ahh, the cap.
An accessory from American sportswear that has spanned the decades, it is today increasingly reinterpreted in more sober, less sportswear or streetwear styles.
Because yes, I want to make it clear: we are going to talk here specifically about so-called baseball caps that fit very easily into casual chic looks. We will therefore not mention flat, military, sportswear or stretchwear caps with large visible logos.
Also, in addition to its aesthetic interest, remember that although the cap can provide basic protection against heat or cold , it is not the best solution:
- Against the cold, even in wool, the cap is not as covering (especially the ears) and insulating as a good hat.
- Against the heat, the cap sticks to the skull (preventing it from breathing well and evacuating heat optimally) and its front visor only protects the front and not the sides or the back of the head. You can read this article from Slate for more information on this subject.
Here is a short list of simple tips for choosing your cap:
- Some brands offer caps in multiple sizes, but not all, far from it. Rest assured: most brands offer models with a tightening tab at the back, allowing you to adjust it to your liking. So unless you have a very particular head shape or hair, you should find what you need without too much trouble.
- As you will see, there are many materials for a cap. For summer, seersucker or linen is suitable. For autumn/winter, a wool flannel or corduroy can be good ideas. The basic cotton twill cap is the model to wear all year round.
- There are also obviously many colors for caps. Maybe avoid a very light cap if you have fair skin. If you want to keep it simple, go for blue, olive green, gray or beige (more or less dark). Also, don't hesitate to take a more colorful cap, with a pattern, which you can easily calm down with a more sober outfit.
- Finally, the cap remains an accessory, there is not too much hassle to have on it. So as Jordan says: have fun!
ENTRY LEVEL
In this price range, you will find basic caps, with a rather Asian design.
Don't hesitate to move upmarket a little, even if it means taking advantage of a promotion on a mid-range brand.
1. ARKET (25/50€)
The Swedish brand offers some sober and slightly creative models, around 20€ for the sale models, up to around forty euros.
The manufacturing is Chinese.
A sober cap (because it is dark blue) that stands out thanks to its material: it is a cotton fabric called terry cloth.
2. COS (25/40€)
In addition to some simple plain designs, COS also offers this polyester mesh cap.
A different style and a structure ensuring better breathability.
The country of manufacture is not indicated.
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A rather original style.
3. UNIQLO (€20)
If you're looking for a really simple cap on a budget, Uniqlo is still a great option.
For your information, Benoît recently updated and enriched his article " Letter of disenchantment with Uniqlo ".
As I write these lines, there is no longer any stock of caps on the brand's shop, but new models are released regularly.
The country of manufacture is not indicated.
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This model, in a cotton/polyamide blend, is indicated as "anti-UV".
4. STETSON (30/50€)
Although I know of its rich history and have generally heard good things about it, I don't know much about Stetson beyond that.
The brand offers a lot of hats, including basic baseball caps available in many colors for €30/40.
The country of manufacture is not indicated.
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Pastel yellow, on chinos, on a cap ... why not.
MID-RANGE
Here we come to caps with a more assertive creative or technical purpose. We thus find models moving away from plain cotton caps.
The manufacturing is rather European.
1. NORSE PROJECTS (70/120€)
Norse Projects is a reliable brand whose work and style I appreciate, all in sobriety.
In addition to caps embroidered with the brand's small "N", sometimes tone-on-tone, there are also plain models.
In the current collection you will find caps in classic style cotton twill, Gore-Tex or Storm System Loro Piana .
The country of manufacture is indicated on each sales page of the brand's shop: United States for all models except for the Gore-Tex model, made in Vietnam.
An elegant cap because it is 100% wool, but also waterproof thanks to its membrane. We are over €100 here.
Here's what you can do with a branded logo cap:
2. NN07 (60/70€)
NN07 is a similar brand to Norse Projects but slightly cheaper (and also a little worse, overall).
You will find some models of caps with the brand name embroidered in small letters .
The place of manufacture is not indicated.
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A model in a pretty softened camel color .
3. VARSITY HEADWEAR (€80/100)
A Norwegian brand specializing in caps, Varsity Headear offers a beautiful collection of caps in various fabrics and colors.
Linen, velvet, wool or even denim... there's something for everyone.
I appreciate the approach and the models of the brand, which is talkative about the materials used (especially Italian).
The caps are made in Vietnam.
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I didn't find many linen caps in my searches. Varsity Headwear has some .
4. This cap has a cowhide leather back tab, I really like it. I don't explain the composition with synthetic other than to get this shine effect.
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When I talk about creative ideas, I think of this in particular. A tartan patchwork cap.
5. GENERAL OFFICE (90/100€)
Each season, the Parisian brand offers caps in interesting materials, based on the fabrics used on their suits: seersucker, velvet, Japanese poplin and wool flannel in particular.
The caps are made in Portugal, cost around a hundred euros full price and are discounted to around 50/60€.
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I love olive green and seersucker, so this cap is right up my street.
HIGH END
Here, we arrive at very beautiful caps, with more textured and unique materials than previously, with even more in-depth work on the manufacturing and details.
This is where you will find caps made in France.
1. COURTOIS PARIS (90/120€)
Courtois is a high-end French hat brand.
The brand offers a lovely range of caps in multiple materials and colors, all made in France.
2. CINABRE (120/170€)
A brand that you probably know more for ties and bow ties, Cinabre also offers caps made in France in very beautiful materials.
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A cap with a summery look. It's pretty and 100% merino wool (you wouldn't think so).
3. LOCK&CO (100/150€)
The English brand Lock&Co has been designing all kinds of headwear since 1676.
The business has been in the family for 7 generations and has sold its creations from the same boutique since the beginning, at 6 St James's Street, London.
Lock&Co offers some pretty models of caps, particularly in linen.
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Another linen cap.
It can be assumed that everything is made in England but the information is not explicitly stated. The brand only states that the "Couture" range is made in its workshop in London and that it supports English suppliers and artisans as much as possible .
4. A KIND OF GUISE (120/130€)
A Kind Of Guise is a German casual brand, producing all its products in Germany .
It offers nice models of caps.
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I really like this small check pattern .
