Cap hats have been around for a very long time; they have evolved from primarily practical sports items through to must-have fashionable accessories. They are a functional, stylish addition to any wardrobe that has taken on a life of their own throughout history within different cultures, regions, and generations. There are a wide variety of caps available in the market today, but where did they come from, who invented them and what is the difference between a baseball cap and a trucker cap? Read on to find out more.
What Is A Cap?
A cap is essentially a type of hat or headwear which fits snuggly to the head following the shape of the head. It differs from other hats by its prominent visor, lack of brim and slimline fit to the head. Caps were first designed for use in sports to aid in blocking the sun’s rays from the eyes, later becoming more popular as a fashionable accessory.
Caps are usually made from cotton, polyester or wool. They are one of the most prominent designs of hat types of all time. The term ‘cap’ was derived from the Old English word “cæppe”, meaning hood, which was originally from the late Latin word ‘cappa’, which is thought to be derived from the Latin word ‘caput’ which means head.
Brief History Of The Cap
Who invented the CAP And When? While it’s impossible to know when humans first donned hat like structures on their heads, one of the first official hats in history was depicted in tomb drawings from ancient Egypt around 3,200 BC. These hats would have been used much as they are in modern times to protect the heads of the wearers, but also, for ancient Egyptians, they were a sign of status.
These rudimentary hats were just the beginning of the evolution of hats, from the Fedora to the beanie, hats have taken on many different shapes over the years, but one of the hats that have stood out from the crowd from their onset is the cap-style hat.
Brought about from its use in early baseball games, the cap (generally referred to as a baseball cap) began its journey through the ages as a hat with an “unshaped crown and a visor” by definition, which basically meant it is a type of hat that follows the shape of the head.
These days you will find the cap has evolved into much more than just an easily distinguishable hat for sports uniforms – there are many different variations, styles and descriptions – with the baseball-style cap becoming an icon among the fashion world for musicians, celebrities, politicians, media, military, the wider business community and more.
Why Was The Cap Invented?
The baseball cap was first invented for use in early baseball games around the 1940s. However, there was cap-like versions of the hat around in the late 1800s. Its original purpose was to offer some protection for the players from sunlight and glare when out on the field. Early baseball caps were modelled on the ‘pillbox’ style of hat that was popular at the time.
Baseball caps soon became and requirement of the uniform for baseball players and gained popularity as a casual fashion accessory off the field. By the 1960s, agricultural companies began to use caps to promote their products and businesses; these types of caps became known as trucker hats. Other types of caps have evolved over the years for use in the fashion industry, various sports and activities, the cap has now become more of a fashion accessory than for sun protection.
5 Common Types Of Cap Hats
While the general term ‘baseball cap’ is often used to describe the cap hat, there are several variations on the basic baseball cap these are:
1. Baseball Caps
Where it all began, the baseball cap is considered the original cap hat after being first worn by American baseball teams in the early 1930s to 40s. The defining characteristics of these hats are their close-fitting headpiece (unshaped crown) and prominent visor protruding from the front. Back fastenings for the baseball cap are traditionally adjustable straps with either Velcro or buckle style fixings.
2. Dad Caps
This style of cap has a curved brim and a slouchy, unfitted look. The Dad cap is designed to look casual and makes for the perfect accessory for the weekend outing, family road trip or BBQ at a friends place. The brims of dad hats are usually pre-curved by the manufacturer.
3. Trucker Hats
The distinguishing features of the trucker cap are plastic mesh at the back, a snapback fastening, a stiffer unfitted high profile look and a broader flat brim or visor surface in the front. Trucker caps were a widespread fashion statement worn by the likes of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in the early 2000s and hip hop enthusiasts in the late 1990s. They often have notable quotes or sayings on the front and easily distinguishable logo designs.
4. Flexfit Caps
A relative newcomer to the cap field, flexifit caps have a curved or flat brim, with a snug-fitting stretch-fit top made from special high-tech fabrics that extend right through the cap’s crown. These flexible or stretchy materials offer a comfortable fit for all head shapes and sizes. The Flexifit (sometimes known as Yupoong) brand has become a household name with skateboarders and the like.
5. Visors
Originally designed for outdoor sports, the distinctive visor-only approach of visor caps is popular with tennis players, golfers, and other sportspeople who are looking for sun and glare protection combined with the breathability of having the head clear of any materials.
Why Are Caps The Most Popular Type Of Hat?
There are dozens and dozens of different hat styles in the world today, but the good old baseball cap is the most popular by far. Nearly everyone wears them, the young and old, athletes, musicians, police, military personnel, school children, sports teams, artists, politicians, kids, teenagers, mums and dads – in fact, according to U.S. Bureau of Labour statistics more than 43 million baseball caps are sold in the United States each year!
It is perhaps the undeniable practicality of caps that makes them so popular. Caps can be used to show your support for your local sports team, convey your political or personal affiliations, they are a good way for businesses to get their brand out there, for commemorative purposes, team building, they can be used to express your personality, articulate your views, make jokes, display images or logos, or even hide a bad hair day and much more! It is likely this broad appeal to all ages and genres that make the cap the most popular type of hat of all time!
Baseball caps, trucker caps, dad hats or whatever you want to call them – they are a must-have casual accessory that can be thrown on for both fashion and practical purposes. They are also a great way to promote your brand, thanks to screen printing. Talk to Big Branding today about getting your logo on a cap today!
