Graphic: Hannah Anderson/The Olaf Messenger
When I first saw an Ole wearing a flat cap on campus this semester, I didn’t think much of it. However, by the time I saw a fourth flat cap on campus, I realized that these were probably not isolated incidents but rather a blossoming fad. You may know these hats as “newsboy hats,” the hats from “Peaky Blinders,” or that hat your grandpa wears, but get ready to start seeing more of them on campus because they are making a comeback.
While I was a bit surprised to see these hats undergoing a revival, I am now completely on board the flat cap train. People wear hats all the time and I don’t think twice, so why should flat caps be any different? I see a plethora of baseball hats every day and in my opinion they are a tired, expected, and uninspired accessory. What do baseball hats add to an outfit besides their ability to cover up bed-head that didn’t get brushed? Nothing a flat cap can’t add, that’s for sure. Wearing a flat cap showcases the wearer’s unique sense of style as well as an understated self confidence, and shows that they took a certain level of care when choosing the day’s clothing.
I’ve been particularly intrigued by how people are choosing to style this budding micro trend. I’ve seen these caps worn with a sweater and a nice pair of jeans, a bow tie and suit jacket, or even a simple T-shirt and basketball shorts combo. The different ways people are choosing to showcase their caps really reveals the versatility of this piece. These hats can be a mere accessory to add flair to a classy fall ensemble, or the star of the show when paired with humble athleisure.
Typically flat caps are made of wool, tweed, leather, or corduroy, which are classic cold weather materials, so I have to wonder whether we’ll be seeing even more of these in the upcoming months. Fascinatingly, flat caps can keep your head warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so maybe these hats will begin to outcompete beanies and other one-season hats. I’m a little skeptical of that, though.
What do you think about the revival of this classic accessory? Will you be buying one soon? Let me know!
