THE BEST caps have many uses. They’re ideal for bad hair days, or for when making an effort is just too much.
They’re also excellent for wearing to the gym, to hide your overly red face from embarrassment.
But above all else they’re often the perfect finishing touch to smart-casual looks, allowing you to add a bit of flair with a pop of colour or an interesting logo.
Find a cap that suits you and is comfortable, and you’ll find yourself reaching for it on the weekend more often than not. But what style should you go for and which are the best caps on the market right now? We’ve got everything you need with this handy round-up.
What to look out for
Shape
Caps don’t just come in one size fits all — well, actually they sometimes do, but that’s not the point.
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There are numerous styles and variations out there, and each one has its pros and cons. In no particular order, there’s the trucker cap, the baseball cap, the 4-panel, the 5-panel, the golf cap, military cap, snapback and more. So which should you go for?
For ease and versatility, it’s difficult to go wrong with the baseball cap. This staple has long been a favourite of America, with the sports-hungry nation favouring it for its relatively low profile, adjustable fit and potential for colour and logo.
Chances are your favourite ball club offers a hundred different baseball caps. For something a little different though, the 5-panel suits most head shapes and styles. Generally lower profile and with a lack of structure, this is a relaxed, comfortable hat that can be thrown on at a moment’s notice without much thought.
Colour/logo
If you’re looking to add a little colour to your wardrobe, the cap is a great place to start.
You could rock an entirely monochrome look and finish it with a vibrant, patterned cap and you’d be winning. Or you could go tonal and match your cap colour to a particular part of your outfit, bringing some synergy to proceedings.
Caps are available in all shades and patterns, with brand logos often adding a point of difference on the front. Don’t be afraid of mixing things up, incorporating shades in your cap that you wouldn’t dream of elsewhere with your outfit.
Or, keep things minimal and opt for a navy or black cap to finish off a streamlined smart casual get-up.
Best men's caps at a glance
- Best patterned cap: The North Face Class V Ball Cap
- Best durable cap: Carhartt Odessa Canvas Cap
- Best minimalistic cap: Arket Cotton Twill Cap
- Best designer cap: Paul Smith 'PS Happy' Logo Baseball Cap
- Best slogan cap: P & Co. Slow Sundays 5-Panel
The North Face Class V Ball Cap
- (AD) The North Face Class V Ball Cap, £35.86 from Amazon - buy here
The North Face might be best known for its arctic-beating outerwear, which is worn by explorers and adventurers all around the world, but its accessories are nothing to be sniffed at either.
It naturally produces an array of warm beanies for keeping you toasty in the winter, but its cap game is also top-notch.
This particular one comes with a distinctive camouflage print complete with green, tan and brown shades for ultimate stealth in the bush.
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The subtle branding, both at the front and woven into the camo, is a nice touch and one that ensures this technical cap looks just as cool in the city as it does in the countryside.
Carhartt Odessa Canvas Cap
- (AD) Carhartt Odessa Canvas Cap, £17.99 from Amazon - buy here
Classic American workwear brand Carhartt has long produced the finest chore jackets and double-knee work pants.
Founded in 1889 in Detroit, it’s fair to say it knows a thing or two about making hardy staples, which stand the test of time.
Its workwear is often crafted from its signature fabric, duck canvas, a durable cotton that takes on a beautiful washed patina with time. It’s exactly the fibre this baseball cap is made from, even down to the distinctive tan-brown colour which Carhartt has practically trademarked.
Looking for a cap that will outlast the apocalypse? This is the one.
Arket Cotton Twill Cap
- Cotton Twill Cap, £25 from Arket - buy here
You can’t go wrong with this Arket cap. Made from 100% recycled cotton with a slim, streamlined silhouette, it’ll complement all manner of looks, from smart casual tailored ensembles to relaxed weekend wear.
Try yours with a simple boxy tee, relaxed-fit jeans and sneakers.
Paul Smith 'PS Happy' Logo Baseball Cap
- 'PS Happy' Logo Baseball Cap, £65 from Paul Smith - buy here
Made from 100% nylon for a light, sporty feel, this Paul Smith cap is the ideal finishing touch to many a smart casual look.
Simply throw it on over chinos and an Oxford shirt and you’re good to go.
Idioma Cipressi 6-Panel
- Cipressi 6-Panel, £39 from Idioma - buy here
It might look like it's straight out of the ‘90s section of your local vintage store, but this Idioma cap is actually brand new.
It comes with the brand’s colourful logo up front, with faded shades of purple, pink, green and yellow, while the main body of the cap is stonewashed green cotton, giving it plenty of throwback appeal.
Maison Kitsune Dressed Fox 6-Panel Cap
- Maison Kitsune Dressed Fox 6-Panel Cap, £79 from END Clothing - buy here
With an eccentric fox logo at the front and a soft, cotton finish, this 6-panel cap is a casualwear staple.
Keep it simple and combine it with carpenter trousers, trainers and a lightweight denim jacket and you can’t go wrong.
A.P.C. Charlie Jersey Logo Cap
- A.P.C. Charlie Jersey Logo Cap, £64 (saving £35) from END Clothing - buy here
APC does many things well, but the brand’s minimalist designs are among the finest on the market. There’s a focus on quality fabric here too, and this cap is no different.
Made from a sturdy 100% cotton, and with a tonal logo on the front, this is a simple, well-made cap that will look as good now as it will in a decade.
Rodd and Gunn Signature Cap
- Signature Cap, £35 from Rodd and Gunn - buy here
A simple embroidered logo on an otherwise staple baseball cap. What’s not to like?
This is Rodd & Gunn’s signature cap, showing off the brand’s two-tone pointer dog logo up front, with subtle brand script on the rear.
Finished on a heavy-duty cotton twill, this is a playful, minimal take on logo fare that's easy to incorporate into an existing wardrobe of everyday staples.
P&Co Slow Sundays Five Panel
P&Co specialises in workwear-inspired staples ranging from multi-pocket jackets through to the perfect boxy cut tee.
This cap is an extended part of the range, channelling the brand’s playful tone in the form of an embroidered design. Keep it casual and wear yours with a light spring knit, relaxed-fit jeans and leather boots.
Lululemon Men's Days Shade Ball Cap
- Men's Days Shade Ball Cap, £38 from Lululemon - buy here
Purveyor of stylish gym gear Lululemon has long led the tasteful sportswear sector with its slick joggers, functional lightweight jackets and perfect-fitting tees.
This cap is no different with its minimal design and sweat-friendly fabric, which is designed to stay dry and keep you going when at the gym or playing sport.
How to wash a cap
According to Nike, there are three reliable ways to wash a cap: by hand, in a washing machine, or — surprisingly — in the dishwasher.
If you want to experiment with the latter, then you should use a light wash cycle, and a no-dry or low-dry setting.
If you're washing a vintage cap, you should check whether there are cardboard components, as submerging them in water could ruin the hat.
