Wear This: Baseball Caps

A classic style that's grown up since its little league days

Written by Meghan Salgado

Chances are, you’ve been wearing baseball caps since your Little League days. They’re great for keeping the sun out of your eyes or showing a little bit of hometown pride, but somewhere along the way, the popular hat’s casual nature made it seem too laid-back for certain occasions. Not anymore. Now throwing on a baseball cap because your hair’s a mess doesn’t mean your outfit is automatically a wash. Sleeker than your standard polyester, baseball caps now come in a variety of fabrics like suede, corduroy, and leather. Scaling up the fabric makes the accessory appropriate for more than just a run to the grocery store. You don’t have to ditch your lucky hat, but incorporating the newer styles means will give you a fresh take on this timeless look. 

History

The distinctive brimmed hat came into existence in 1860 when the Brooklyn Excelsiors began wearing them as part of their uniform. Its use was strictly functional, with a brim to keep the sun out of players’ eyes. The baseball cap continued to evolve over the next eighty years until the introduction of latex rubber as a stiffening agent gave us the familiar hat we wear today. From Major League to various working uniforms, baseball hats are a symbol of American culture. An icon, if you will. It’s no surprise that streetwear and ready-to-wear brands hopped on the bandwagon with this tried-and-true accessory. Today, baseball hats are so much more readily available than the caps you can buy at the stands at your team’s home stadium. From leather, to canvas, to suede, there’s a hat out there that’s perfect for blending your personal style with this American classic.

Three Ways to Wear It 

Leave the hat from high school on your dresser and try out some of the looks below. As a general rule, even though we’re inspired by MLB, stay away from sports team logos and avoid anything with too flat of a bill.

Beanies don’t have to be your only cold weather go-to. A baseball cap can also do the trick just as easily. Pair a baseball cap with warm layers for an unexpected look. The trick to making this ensemble seamless is to keep the colors cohesive and match your cap with another standout piece (like your coat). You’ll also want to go for a cap that’s one color or that has a very small/minimal design. Try this look out for running errands or gearing up for a weekend brunch.

Try a two-tone cap with a button-up shirt and chinos for a preppy-casual look. Two-tone baseball caps are a great way to experiment with color and texture, and can really pull together an otherwise standard outfit. Tie the whole thing together with a pair of white kicks, and you’ll have a perfect off duty ensemble. Or, wear this look for drinks with coworkers. It’s the perfect vibe for all of our out-of-office plans.

For an altogether more elevated and unexpected look, consider a leather baseball cap. Leather adds an extra dimension without screaming for attention. Its simplistic style blends in perfectly with the clean lines of a crewneck and black pants to match. The dark tones from this athleisure-inspired look make it perfect for hanging out and looking effortlessly cool.

Photo of Meghan Salgado

Meghan Salgado

SOURCE: THE GENTLEMANUAL