Flat Caps & Their Many Forms
Whether you’re a big fan or just a fan of trivia, you, like us, may have wondered about all these cut-and-sewn flat cap iterations and what sets them each apart. Though their history is long, flat caps were popularized during the late 1800s and early 1900s as a quintessential part of working-class dress. As such, many of these styles are still referred to by the types of workers (baker boy caps, newsboy caps, cabbie caps) or groups of people generally associated with them (English caps, Irish caps, Ivy caps from “Ivy League”). Despite this variety in nomenclature, most of these names do not refer to any one specific flat cap style or shape.
There are three generally accepted flat cap shapes or styles:
- The Ivy Cap (Classic)
- The Newsboy Cap (Classic)
- The Duckbill Cap (Contemporary)
The Ivy Cap
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| Jaxon Linen & Cotton Ivy Cap | |||
Ivy caps feature an oblong or oval crown, usually comprised of two sewn panels, fitted with a bill (aka visor). This simple, clean cut, and classic silhouette was popularized by Ivy League fraternities in the early to mid-20th century – hence the name “Ivy.”
The Newsboy Cap
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This classic style consists of a round crown of eight concentric panels with a button at their center and an attached bill/visor. Long established in popular consciousness as the flat cap style most often worn by young boys peddling newspapers in the early 20th century, the “Newsboy” name stuck. It is also commonly referred to as an “Eight-Quarter” (sometimes written “8/4”) cap after the number of panels in its crown.
The Duckbill Cap
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The Duckbill cap is a contemporary flat cap shape featuring a deeper and more form-fitting crown finished with a narrow, pre-curved bill/visor that resembles a duck’s bill from the side. This modern silhouette varies in the number of panels comprising its crown, although it is most often six. Flat caps in general are most popular in the UK and Europe, and the sleek and sporty Duckbill is a popular choice among the pub crowd – thus, the alternative “Pub cap” moniker.
Even within these three generally accepted silhouettes, differences in the shapes of the bill, the way in which the bill is attached (sewn vs single snap vs double snap), the fullness of the crown, as well as number and style of panels make for endless variation. Certain styles may go further and hybridize elements of these three shapes – innovation in hat making never ends!
We hope this has helped demystify Flat Cap styles and what distinguishes the three main shapes/silhouettes. Need further clarification on a specific style? Call us, e-mail us, or comment below – we’re here to help!
Additional Reading:
Iconic Hats Blog: The Flat Cap
By: G. Realpe, Copywriter