The creme de la creme of caps
No headwear is as iconic as the baseball cap. The cap first gained prominence in the late 19th century, when it was worn by the Brooklyn Excelsiors baseball team to protect their eyes from the sunlight. Within decades it had been widely adopted by other teams and is today a part of the official uniform, serving as useful protection and a badge of identification for fans.
Soon the humble baseball cap had become daily attire for truckers, farmers and day workers of all stripes. In the late 1980s, though, it stepped out of functional workwear and into the celebrity spotlight. The rappers of NWA made the baseball cap an in-demand fashion item, and soon fashionistas were wearing caps on the runway while celebrities used the long brims to hide from the paparazzi.
Today the baseball cap is a symbol of youth, of subculture, of America — of anything the wearer wants it to be. It’s a way for everyday people to affiliate themselves with brands, politics, hobbies, favourite characters and teams. A certain US president ascended to the highest office in the world with a notorious slogan on his cap. Military and police have embroidered caps as part of their uniform in America, Turkey, Slovenia and even wintry Finland, where it’s illegal for anyone but a cop to wear a police cap.
Functional, portable and as individual as each wearer, baseball caps are an easy way to get your message and brand into the wider world. Here’s some inspiration for your designs.
Nike
You can’t get more iconic than the signature swoosh on a Nike cap. Best placed on a six-panel baseball cap with more colour options than you could ever need, your choices can range from the discreet tick logo to the whole “Just do it” slogan.
Ralph Lauren
Heritage fashion brands go in and out of style in the streetwear world, but Ralph Lauren has stayed on top for a remarkable stretch of time. The signature horse logo of their Polo line in particular is perfect to accessorise a contemporary look, as incongruous as a polo player might seem on the mean streets.
New York Yankees
No list of baseball caps would be complete without the most iconic logo in baseball — the New York Yankees’ signature typographic emblem is beloved for its simplicity and achieved widespread recognition, seen on the heads of celebrities ranging from Jay-Z to Cristiano Ronaldo. The famous version is made by streetwear brand New Era, a headwear company from the Yankees’ hometown.
Vans
The original skate brand still has one of the most recognisable logos in the game, with the right arm of the ‘V’ extending to protect the rest of the word like an umbrella. Vans has never gone out of style, and with this cap you can have the logo from toe (or your board, beneath your toes), to the top of your head.
Supreme
If Vans represents the old guard of skatewear, Supreme carries an eternal youth despite being in business for 26 years. Their white logo makes the biggest splash against a red background, so go bold in your colour choice.
Carhartt
This American company predicted the contemporary fusion of classic workwear and fashion by decades. Based out of New England, most of their caps are made in a durable five-panel design, while their WIP line is known for its particularly modern styling.
Louisville Bats
What’s cuter than a bat holding a bat? A rogue inclusion in the list, minor league baseball team the Louisville Bats have bold purple caps with adorable cartoon bats ready for the pitch, about to hit this next one out of the park.
Patagonia
This outerwear brand isn’t just for hikers anymore. Their retro 90s aesthetic and dedication to functional, ethical clothing has seen Patagonia become one of the trendiest brands around the turn of the decade. Besides a pleasingly worn aesthetic on their baseball caps, they are made of organic cotton to soothe the woes of the eco-conscious head.
Looking to create custom embroidered caps? At ICON Printing we’re experts in fast turnaround embroidery for caps and can advise on any queries you have about creating your hat design. Get a quote in 2 minutes online.