Baseball Caps

The baseball cap was designed in the 1860s for a single purpose: keep the sun out of a fielder's eyes during a game. Brooklyn Excelsiors wore the first recognisable version — curved brim, structured crown, six panels — in 1860. That blueprint has not changed in 165 years because it does not need to. The curved brim works. The six-panel crown fits. The adjustable back strap solves one-size manufacturing without compromising comfort.

What has changed is everything around it. The baseball cap became streetwear in the 1980s, luxury fashion in the 1990s, and a global everyday wardrobe essential by the 2000s. Today it is worn by more people, in more contexts, than any other hat silhouette on earth.

Hatloom baseball caps are built in cotton twill, genuine leather, corduroy, wool blends and canvas. Fitted and adjustable options in classic 6-panel and 5-panel cuts. Vintage-washed finishes for those who prefer character over pristine newness. Each piece is chosen for how it ages, not just how it looks on a shelf.

Baseball Cap Styles: What to Know

• 6-panel — the classic construction: three panels on each side, a structured front panel, a sewn seam across the top. The standard.
• 5-panel — two front panels instead of three, creating a flatter front face and a more minimal silhouette. Popular in cycling and outdoor contexts.
• Dad hat — unstructured 6-panel with a curved brim and fabric or leather strap. Lower profile, more relaxed.
• Snapback — structured flat brim with a snap-adjust back closure. Flat brim sits perpendicular to the crown.
• Fitted — no adjustable closure; sized precisely to head circumference. The cleanest finish available.
• Trucker — foam front panel, mesh back panels. Maximum airflow. Originally a promotional giveaway item.

Baseball Cap Materials Compared

Baseball Cap vs Snapback vs Dad Hat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a baseball cap?

A baseball cap is a soft structured cap with a curved front brim and a rounded crown, typically constructed from six fabric panels. It originated in American baseball in the 1860s and became the world's most widely worn hat silhouette. Available in fitted and adjustable versions, in materials ranging from cotton twill to genuine leather and wool blends.

What size baseball cap do I need?

Measure around your head approximately 1 cm above your ears and eyebrows. This measurement in centimetres is your hat size. For fitted caps, match this number to the size chart exactly. For adjustable caps — strap-back, snapback or flexfit — most adults will fit a standard or one-size option. When between sizes on fitted caps, choose the larger size.

What is the difference between a fitted and adjustable baseball cap?

A fitted baseball cap has no adjustable closure — it is sewn to a precise head circumference and provides the cleanest, most structured silhouette. An adjustable baseball cap uses a strap, buckle or snap closure at the back to accommodate a range of head sizes. Fitted caps offer a sharper finish; adjustable caps offer versatility across wearers and days when head circumference shifts slightly.

How do you wear a baseball cap correctly?

Wear a baseball cap with the brim forward, sitting approximately two finger-widths above the eyebrows and level across the forehead. Adjust the strap so the cap sits firmly without pressing. A cap worn too far back loses its sun-protection function; too far forward reads as self-conscious. Side and backwards orientations are stylistic choices with no correct or incorrect position.

What material baseball cap lasts longest?

Genuine leather baseball caps develop a patina and improve with age — they are the longest-lasting option if maintained. Cotton twill and canvas caps withstand daily wear and machine washing, making them the most practical for everyday use. Wool blend caps are durable but require more careful cleaning. Washed cotton dad hats have a shorter lifespan due to the pre-treated fabric softening further over time.

Can you wash a baseball cap?

Most cotton, canvas and corduroy baseball caps can be hand-washed in cool water with mild detergent and reshaped while damp to air dry. Avoid machine washing structured caps — the crown and brim lose shape. Leather baseball caps should be wiped with a damp cloth and treated with a leather conditioner; never submerge in water. Wool caps require specialist dry cleaning or very gentle cold hand-washing.

What is a dad hat?

A dad hat is an unstructured, low-profile baseball cap with a curved brim and a fabric or leather strap closure. Unlike traditional baseball caps, dad hats have no internal structure — the crown is soft and relaxed, sitting lower on the head. The style became popular in the 1990s and 2000s and remains one of the most widely worn casual cap silhouettes for both men and women.

Browse Baseball Caps by Type

• Leather Baseball Caps — genuine leather six-panel caps that develop a patina with wear
• Kids Baseball Caps — adjustable cotton caps in children's sizes with fun designs