How To Wear a Baseball Cap
Renée Bu
Table of Contents
Since the early 80s, baseball caps have been a hot-ticket accessory, worn by many far and wide. Yet, despite this, many still wonder just how to wear a baseball cap.
You might think your head is too big or your style is too elevated to wear one, but there are so many options these days that you’re bound to find one that suits you and your personal style.
To help encourage you to try the trend this season, we’ll go over lots of useful info about baseball caps. After reading this guide, you’ll know:
- When to wear a baseball cap
- How to wear a baseball cap
- Which baseball cap is right for you
What is a Baseball Cap?
The technical definition of a baseball cap is that it’s “a fabric cap originally worn by baseball players, with a large visor and an adjustable strap at the back.” This is a pretty standard definition for the head-topping accessory.
Since baseball caps have begun trending in the fashion world, the common hat has now shifted from being a headwear staple worn by athletes, to an of-the-moment accessory worn by everyone from all-star outfielders to scandalous celebrities.
Outfits with baseball hats are all the latest rage so if you want to keep up with this trend, keep reading.
History of Baseball Caps
The baseball cap has a long history dating back to the 19th century. Amateur baseball team, the Brooklyn Excelsiors, wore the first baseball cap on record which, unlike today’s cap, featured a shorter brim, a floppy structure, and a button top.
It wasn’t until the 1940s that the baseball cap we know today was born. Latex rubber became the go-to material for stiffening the inside of the hat, and the overall design became more structured. They also included a longer brim to protect the player’s eyes from the sun.
Usually, a baseball cap is fashioned in team colors with a logo, mascot, or team initial placed somewhere on the hat. Today, athletes and fashion lovers alike can find a variety of baseball hat styles (with or without sports affiliation).
Though the initial intent for the baseball cap was to help aid the athletes playing the game, this common hat was taken off field in the 80s and became a big hit in the fashion world. Today we can accredit a variety of reasons for this.
- The influence of streetwear displayed through hip-hop media.
In the 80s, it was common to see your favorite MC or femcee performing in a baseball cap. NWA’s Eazy-E was notorious for keeping a rotation of caps, which included L.A Raiders and Chicago White Sox hats, alongside his iconic ‘COMPTON’ cap.
Rappers Eazy-E, and the rest of NWA, play a major role in the beginnings of streetwear and we can still see some of their style ethos in today’s trends.
- Director Ron Howard.
In the 80s, Ron Howard wasn’t exclusively known for his work on Happy Days. The American filmmaker became a baseball-cap-wearing icon for the variety of truckers and dad hats he would wear on and off the set.
- Magnum P.I’s iconic Detroit Tigers hat
Magnum P.I was committed to wearing his Detroit Tigers hat all eight seasons. It became a staple for his character and a fashion statement amongst viewers and fans alike.
The 80s paved the way for how we see and wear dad hats today, and because of this, the places we wear baseball caps have significantly expanded. Once a protective piece of headwear designed for the field, it’s now a trendy accessory you can find almost anywhere.
When to Wear a Baseball Cap
Many students have taken to incorporating baseball caps into their daily wardrobes, while adults have been spotted taking dad hats to games, dates, and all over the city when running errands.
Due to the protective properties of baseball caps, kids are always big fans of the trendy accessory. They can wear them to school, playdates, and extracurricular activities.
With caps ranging in styles and sizes, a good baseball cap can complement all sorts of looks—from high-street fashion and hyper-feminine outfits, to preppy styles, and so many more.
A quality baseball cap is often trans-seasonal as well and can be worn from the first day of spring right into fall/winter.
How to Wear a Baseball Cap
Are you wondering how to wear a baseball cap? Baseball caps are commonly worn with streetwear looks. Think of a cropped hoodie with cozy cool joggers or your favorite tracksuit with the latest sneakers.
However, this isn’t the only way one can style a baseball cap. Outfits with baseball hats can take a more feminine approach as well when styled with satin, slip dresses or pleated skirts.
So, if you’re wondering how to wear a baseball cap girl style, it should be pretty easy to figure out. That means even fashionistas can rock this trend.
When wearing this stylish head-topping accessory, it’s important to keep baseball cap hairstyles in mind. Don’t let the hat discourage you from sweeping your hair back into that low ponytail you love or go for a sleek look by looping your ponytail through the hole in the back.
Below, we’ve gathered lots of outfit ideas to help you decide how to wear a baseball cap. So, the next time you need some style inspiration, refer to this list.
10 Outfit Ideas with a Baseball Cap
A sweatsuit, sneakers, and baseball cap are part of the common streetwear formula. It’s a reliable and unisex outfit that echos the fly fits of the 90s.
Pairing this effortless look with a leather trench coat, and a cross-body bag, adds a touch of femininity without sacrificing its streetwear edge.
When in doubt, wear all black. Thankfully, this age-old styling tip applies to baseball caps too. When wearing a black-on black-outfit, think of adding any accessory with a pop of color, such as a bubble gum pink baseball hat.
Accessories, including hats, are a perfect opportunity to introduce some print, pattern, or color to your outfit.
Double denim never fails. It’s a refined yet relaxed look that’s loved by all, from local fashionistas to A-list celebrities. With fresh white kicks and a trendy Yankee hat, this look is a go-to for jet-setting at the airport during vacation season. Take this outfit into the fall by pairing it with your favorite Docs.
Who says you can’t take your baseball cap on vacation? Whether you’re biking, hiking, or strolling through your favorite destination, a baseball cap is a must. This classic hat also makes great resort wear when you pair it with boardshorts, trendy kicks, and a distressed crew-neck top.
Don’t be afraid to layer garments with different aesthetics when wearing a baseball cap. Wearing a sporty Yankees hat doesn’t mean you have to compromise on sexiness. A crop top, a pair of cargos, fresh white kicks, and a fitted cap is exactly how to rock this look.
Get funky and fun with your style. Try wearing a checkered pattern trouser, plain white tee, and pile on the pearls. And don’t forget the colorful baseball hat! It’s a show-stopping look you won’t regret.
You can always count on a cap to make even your most basic looks as stylish as ever. On the days you just feel like chilling in your ball shorts and cropped hoodie, throw on an animal-print dad hat to add some depth to your look.
This outfit is cozy yet oh so cool. Take your dad hat into the chillier months with statement-making sweats and bright outerwear.
It’s often said that ‘less is more.’ And when it comes to fashion, if that ‘less’ is a simple look consisting of cropped trousers, a white tank, a designer dad hat, and a gold chain, well, what more is there to say? This outfit is definitely fab.
A white baseball cap and pastels—can you name a better duo? Outfitted with wide trousers, which are pristinely tailored, makes this a look fit for the London runways.
What Type of Baseball Caps Can You Get?
In the end, no matter what, it’s always good to have options. The baseball cap has gone through many makeovers throughout the years but today, fortunately, there are a variety of styles to choose from. Which makes deciding how to wear a baseball cap so much easier.
When considering how to wear a baseball cap, be mindful of the sizing options.
- Medium (mid-crown) – a medium-depth cap designed for small to average heads
- Full (high-crown) – a full-depth cap made for the average head
- High – a hat with a trucker fit designed for larger heads
In addition to sizing, you’ll want to know about style options. While the average baseball hat is a curved-brim cap with a mid-crown and adjustable strap, there are a few other styles you can choose. One or more of these options might appeal to you.
- The Fitted – a flat-brim cap with no adjustable straps
- The Trucker – a foam-front hat that often stands taller than most other caps with an adjustable snapback closure and a netted mesh back
- The Multipanel – a four-panel hat with a stiffened brim and an adjustable strap
- The Dad – currently it’s the most trendy of the baseball caps, outfitted with six unstructured panels and an adjustable strap
Also, remember there are different types of adjustable straps on baseball caps. They can range from plastic snap buttons, fabric velcro closures, buckle closures, to hook and loop fasteners. This is important to keep in mind when shopping for one of these styles.
How to Choose The Best Baseball Caps
If you’d like to try out the baseball cap trend, there are a few things to consider when choosing the right cap for you. A high-quality baseball cap will hold its shape and look great far longer than a hat of lower quality.
When shopping for a baseball cap, pay attention to the structure of the hat. Also, ask yourself a couple of key questions: How sturdy is it? Is the brim abnormally bent in a weird direction?
A good-quality cap will not only look great, but it will also be durable. And the hat should fit like a glove. You don’t want your hat too small, but too big isn’t a good look either.
Like anything made with quality in mind, a good cap will cost you. While it’s possible to spend as low as $5 on a basic dad hat, a good-quality cap can cost up to $60. When thinking about the price, try to remember what you’ll be using the cap for.
If you’re trying to build a wardrobe with pieces that’ll last you some time, it’s a good idea to invest in a good cap, but if you’re one to cycle through trends, a less expensive option may be better suited for you.
How to Style Baseball Caps
Figuring out how to wear a baseball cap shouldn’t be rocket science. But, if you need some help, we’ve gathered a few tips for you.
Outfits with baseball hats vary in aesthetic and style. So, consider your personal style when styling a baseball cap. Wearing one of these hats doesn’t have to change how you dress.
For the minimalists, try styling your hat with cuffed, single-pleat trousers, a longline button-up, your favorite tote bag, and a baseball cap of your choice.
If your hair is long, swap out the button-up for a turtleneck and tuck your lengthy tresses into the neck of the top for a slick city look.
If you consider yourself preppy, go for a sweater vest, straight-leg jeans, sneakers, fun socks, and a trucker hat of your choice. Long hair can be styled in a variety of ways, but wearing it down and behind both shoulders is a great look.
For the fashion fans with a more hyper-feminine style, you can certainly add a baseball cap to your cycle of cute ‘fits. Try pairing a dad hat with a cropped fuzzy cardigan, a pleated skirt, and platform Mary Janes.
If your hair is voluminous, try braiding it back into two french braids before tossing on your cap.
Men can also benefit from a few baseball cap styling tips.
For the guy who doesn’t let style interrupt his chill vibe, try layering your favorite hoodie over a turtleneck for that cozy feel and pair it with a relaxed, tailored trouser. Let your favorite kicks, a chunky necklace, and a solid hat finish the look.
If you consider yourself a dandy, don’t be discouraged! Baseball caps are for you too! Modern suit styling is on-trend right now, so pairing your checkered suit with a dad hat and white sneakers is a welcomed look.
Throughout time, children have been fans of the baseball cap. While girls and boys of all ages have welcomed the trendy accessory into their wardrobes, like adults, there are many ways for stylish kiddos to jump on the trend.
When dressing a little fashionista in a baseball cap, consider a denim jumpsuit that is equal parts stylish and comfortable. With a tiny trucker hat in tow and fun sneakers, this kid is ready to slay the sandbox.
A cool and comfortable baseball cap look for kids can also include jeans and hoodie, a tracksuit, and the classic T-shirt with jeans. Give each outfit a further nod to streetwear by pairing it with sneakers.
Fashion Tips to Avoid With a Baseball Cap
If you’re still not sure how to wear a baseball cap, the dos and don’ts are fairly simple. But if you find yourself a little lost on what’s considered a baseball cap faux pas, here’s a shortlist of what to avoid when rocking your baseball cap:
- Avoid a sloppy fit. An ill-fitting cap creates an overall ill-looking outfit. Your hat should fit like a glove, otherwise it will steal the attention from your entire look and not in a good way.
- Do not wear it to the side or the back. Unless you’re an extra on the yet-to-be-announced fourth installment of The Sandlot, your baseball cap should always face the front.
- Avoid heavy fabrics if you run hot. If you’re a big sweater, there’s no shame in that but be mindful of this when hat shopping. Invest in breathable caps made of cotton to avoid any sweat stains that could spoil your look and your hat.
After taking this all in, deciding how to wear a baseball cap shouldn’t be a mystery anymore. We’re sure you’ll look great the next time you don one of these hats.
How To Take Care Of a Baseball Cap
When it comes to hat care, keeping your baseball cap fresh and pristine is far easier than it sounds. When you aren’t wearing your hat be sure to keep it on a shelf in your closet, hung up in your closet, or stored away in a cap carrier.
This will help keep dust and lint from gathering on your en vogue accessory while maintaining its shape.
When it comes time to clean your cap follow these instructions:
- Fill a clean sink with cool water and a touch of mild laundry detergent
- Dunk the hat into the now soapy water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes
- Rinse your hat with cool water
- Gently wring out any excess water but be sure not to twist the brim
- Pat down the hat with a clean towel
- Hang it to dry or let it sit on a towel to dry
- If you’re looking to reshape your hat, let it dry on a mannequin head
Best Places to Buy Baseball Caps
There are several e-tailers and retailers that offer a variety of baseball hat styles. If you’re looking for a sportier option the best brands to check out are below:
- Lids
- Sport Chek
- New Era
- Amazon
If you’d prefer a baseball cap that’s a little more fashionable try these brands:
- Zumiez
- Fashion Nova
- Urban Outfitters
- Champion
Final Thoughts
Baseball caps are an easy accessory that can elevate and complete your look. Whether you’re dashing through the city getting errands done, sitting front row during fashion week, or simply trying to keep your unwashed hair from the public eye, outfits with baseball caps can be just as stylish as any other fashion-forward look.
And when deciding how to wear a baseball cap, if you keep the above style tips in mind, you’ll always look your best.
In the mood to broaden your fashion horizons? Check out some of our other guides?
