The baseball cap is such an iconic accessory in the American culture that it could be called America’s national hat. Made up of a soft cap and stiff visor, it is typically adjustable at the back thanks to plastic strap, Velcro or elastic band.
The baseball style of cap derived from earlier brimmed hats popular in the late 19th century, including deerstalkers popularised by the illustrations of Sherlock Holmes, jockey caps or military “pillbox” hat. The earliest baseball caps were made of wool with a leather bill and were worn exclusively by baseball players in the mid-to-late-19th century. As the 20th century dawned, the headgear moved off the field and into everyday wardrobes.
Today, the baseball cap is worn to show love for a team, as a fashion statement or as marketing support. Fashion brands such as A.P.C, Burberry, Brunello Cucinelli, Gucci and Kenzo have all made high-end versions of the cap that push it into the domain of luxury fashion. While expensive iterations may signal status, the affordability of the common baseball cap, as well as its longevity as a fashion statement, has helped it to remain firmly part of the modern style lexicon.