Ahh, the cap.
An accessory from American sportswear that has spanned the decades, it is today increasingly reinterpreted in more sober, less
Because yes, I want to make it clear: we are going to talk here specifically about so-called baseball caps which fit very easily into casual chic looks. We will therefore not mention flat, military, sportswear or streetwear caps with large visible logos.
Also, in addition to its aesthetic interest, remember that if the cap can provide basic protection against heat
- Against the cold, even in wool, the cap is not as covering (the ears in particular) and insulating as a good hat
- Against the heat, the cap sticks to the skull (preventing it from breathing well and dissipating heat optimally) and its front visor only protects the front and not the sides or back of the head. You can read this Slate article for more info on this.
Here is a small list of simple tips for choosing your cap:
- Some brands offer caps in several 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 capillarity, you should find what you're looking for without too much trouble.
- As you will see, there are many materials for a cap. For summer, seersucker or linen is suitable. For fall/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 the caps. Perhaps avoid a very light-colored cap if you have fair skin. If you want to keep it sober, go for blue, olive green, gray or beige (more or less dark). Don't hesitate to take a more colorful, patterned cap, which you can easily calm down with a more sober outfit.
- Finally, the cap remains an accessory, there is not too much headache to have with it. So as Jordan says: have fun!
ENTRY LEVEL
In this price range, you will find basic caps, with a rather Asian make.
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 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.
2. COS (25/40€)
In addition to some simple plain models, COS also offers this polyester mesh cap.
A different style and a structure ensuring better breathability.
The country of manufacture is not indicated.
©
A rather original style.
3. UNIQLO (20€)
If you are looking for a really simple cap on a low budget, Uniqlo remains a solution.
For 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.
©
This model, in a cotton/polyamide blend, is indicated as “anti-UV”.
4. STETSON (30/50€)
Although I know its rich history and have generally heard good things about it, I don't know more about Stetson than that.
The brand offers many hats, including basic baseball caps available in many colors for €30/40.
The country of manufacture is not indicated.
©
Pastel yellow, on chinos, on a cap ... why not.
MIDRANGE
Here we arrive at caps with a more assertive creative or technical purpose. We thus find models moving away from caps
The tailoring is rather European.
1. NORSE PROJECTS (70/120€)
Norse Projects is a reliable brand whose work and style, while sober, I appreciate.
In addition to caps embroidered with the brand's little "N", sometimes tone-on-tone, there are also plain models.
In the current collection, you will find caps in cotton twill with a classic style, in Gore-Tex or in Storm
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 exceed €100 here.
Here's what you can do with a branded logo cap:
2. NN07 (60/70€)
NN07 is a similar brand
You will find some models of caps with the name of the brand
The place of manufacture is not indicated.
©
A model in a pretty softened camel color .
3. VARSITY HEADWEAR (€80/100)
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 plenty to do.
I appreciate the approach and models of the brand, which is talkative about the materials used (particularly Italian).
The caps are made in Vietnam.
©
I didn't find many linen caps in my searches. Varsity Headwear offers them .
4. This cap has a rear cowhide leather tab, which I really like. I don't explain the composition with synthetic other than to obtain this shine effect.
©
When I talk about creative talk, I think in particular of this . A tartan patchwork cap then.
5. GENERAL OFFICE (90/100€)
Each season, the Parisian brand offers caps in interesting materials, using the fabrics used on their suits: seersucker, velvet, Japanese poplin or wool flannel in particular.
The caps are made in Portugal, cost around a hundred euros full price and are discounted around €50/60.
©
I love olive green and seersucker. This cap is therefore completely to my taste.
TOP OF THE LINE
There, we arrive in very beautiful caps, with more textured and unique materials than previously, with even more in-depth work on the construction and details.
It is here in particular that you will find caps made in France.
1. COURTOIS PARIS (€90/120)
Courtois is a high-end French hat brand.
The brand offers a nice range of caps in multiple materials and colors, all made in France.
2. CINABER (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.
©
A cap with a summer 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 headgear since 1676.
The business has been family run for 7 generations and has sold its creations from the same store since the beginning, at 6 St James's Street, London.
Lock&Co offers some pretty models of caps, particularly in linen.
©
Another linen cap.
It can be assumed that everything is made in England but the information is not explicitly stated. The brand only indicates 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
It offers pretty models of caps.
©
I really like this small check pattern .
