The baseball cap is experiencing a bit of a revival as of late. But that doesn’t mean you should run out and buy a pre-frayed “Cocks” cap like the ones worn by college students who may or may not attend the University of South Carolina. It’s time for something a little more grown-up, a little more stylish. Here are some brands to get you started.
Ebbets Field Flannels
Ebbets Field Flannels may be known for their flannels—as their name would suggest—but their headgear is equally impressive. They research historic teams—both stateside and internationally—and recreate their caps of old. All are crafted from genuine wool and visor length and logo material are dictated by history.
$35+FairEnds
FairEnds aims to create stylish caps devoid of logos and eccentricities. All made in California, FairEnds’s caps are clean, sharp and colorful. Basic without being boring.
$48Goorin Bros.
Since they’ve been around since 1895, you probably know Goorin Bros. for their dapper hats of old, the kind gentlemen used to wear. But if that’s all you know them for, you should check out their more casual options. Their collection of baseball caps feature graphics inspired by vintage ballgames and players. All are adjustable fit and crafted with a bit more care than your standard ball cap.
$35Only
Many of the caps from Only come slapped with a logo of the brand, which is fine if you’re a big fan. For us, it’s some of the other hats in their collection that we really dig, like the American Wool Snapback which features an embroidered American flag on the side, or the Woolrich Polo hat which is crafted with Woolrich wool and a chino twill brim. All made in the USA.
$14+Gents
Gents makes baseball caps with a simple aesthetic: not many colors and nothing more than a simple graphic. Their Luxe Caps can get a bit wild with the use of leather, cashmere, and other materials, but the basic graphics and design keep them from seeming too far out there for you to pull off. The Core Signature Caps keep the fabrics in check, if that’s more your speed.
$48Knottery New York
Knottery NY understands that you don’t want to spend $100 on a baseball cap. Sure, one expensive dress shirt, blazer, or pair of denim jeans can be rationalized, but three figures for a ball cap? That’s a tough price to swallow. So they decided to make basic hats out of unique materials that won’t break the bank. We’re fans of the Flannel Wool hats, but if you’re a little more adventurous you could give the Casentino Wool caps a spin. (Photo: The Looksmith)
$30+Huf
Huf kind of exploded when the 5-panel cap revolution happened. And while they still stock plenty versions of those, they also have classic snapback ball caps that are equally as sharp. Often boasting clean and creative branding, the hats from Huf are solid options for baseball cap fans who don’t really care for baseball.
$34+