It’s the humble item you may have disregarded, or perhaps thrown on for the occasional weekend walk or run, but never considered for any real style cred.
It’s time to think again, as the simple baseball cap has globally become an accessory go-to this season, the casual topper adding just the right amount of carefree nonchalance to any outfit.
Such is its ubiquitous low-key look, you may not have clocked its slow rise in the fashion scene.
It’s been a celebrity go-to for years, but only when stars want that incognito, ‘I’m a nobody’ cover, even when being snapped leaving or arriving from airports, hotels and homes.
But sometime in the last year or so, that casual look started being worn for slightly more high-profile events. Taylor Swift loves them, rocking a faded and slightly green ‘dad hat’ cap in the crowd at Coachella this year. Rihanna regularly wears hers out for dinner, as does J Lo. Anya Taylor-Joy and Dakota Johnson are rarely snapped without one, on the street.
Sports stars too, have always worn them (it’s not called a baseball cap for nothing) given they have a functional eye and sun-protection use, as well as the ideal front-and-center billboard space to display sponsor logos. It’s this avenue that has funneled their popularity for decades, given fans propensity to follow their sporting heroes or display allegiance to a particular team.
That celeb slash sports combination, and its all-gender appeal, have likely contributed to the cap’s current favour.
That classic trend harbinger, fashion week, also has a part to play in driving the desire to slap on a cap. French fashion house Dior popped caps – albeit sleek animal print ones – on top of outfits in its autumn-winter 2024-2025 show as did preppy US label Tommy Hilfiger.
In fact, the fall/winter shows were awash with head decor – mostly hats, scarves and bows – of all types, from New York to Milan and Paris.
Of course it’s the way stylish people on the street – and social media – are wearing them that has a huge amount of sway, and if you’ve been in any region known for the fashion nous of its citizens recently, you will have seen them being worn with all manner of outfits.
Our favourite ways to wear? Paired with jeans and a slouchy varsity jacket, or with tailored separates like oversized blazers or waistcoats/vests to add a relaxed ease. Come summer, simple cotton shorts, a feminine blouse and slimline trainers will be perfect. Wearing one with a silk scarf tied over top is also a styling approach that’s surprisingly big right now.
When it comes to choosing one, you can’t go wrong with a classic – the New York Yankees New Era cap is everywhere, still. However, you’ll get extra points if the one you wear has a vintage vibe like a slightly soft and faded shape, or bears an embroidered logo that, though revealing a designer brand, looks like it belongs in the 70s, 80s or 90s.
Here are our top 10 picks right now:
Isabel Marant Cap; Burberry Cap