How to recognise it
The crown is not panelled but one flat piece that slopes from the back of the head down to the peak. Usually tweed or wool.
Where it comes from
In 1571 an English law required men to wear wool caps on Sundays to support wool makers. The flat cap later became a symbol of the British countryside and working class.
Who and when it suits
A classic autumn cap with a coat, a tweed jacket or a sweater. It works with casual and smart casual style.
Variations and look-alikes
A flat cap comes in tweed, wool, linen for summer and leather, plain, herringbone or checked, lined or unlined, and the sporty driving cap is shorter and closer-fitting. It differs from a newsboy cap in its single flat crown with no panels or button, and from a baseball cap in having the crown sewn down to the peak.
How to style it
- With a tweed jacket and sweater.
- Choose by head size.
- Clean it with a brush.
- Wool on a rainy day.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01How does a flat cap differ from a newsboy cap?
A flat cap is one flat piece; a newsboy is full and made of eight panels.
02Where does the flat cap come from?
From England, where a 1571 law required wool caps on Sundays.
03Does a flat cap work in summer?
A linen one does; tweed is for autumn.