The best baseball caps to nail the off-duty look

The best baseball caps to nail the off-duty look

A hybrid of function and fashion, caps are a stalwart of the sports arena and runway shows alike. Here, we round up the best men’s caps to exude laid-back cool

A cap is a staple in any man’s wardrobe and not just because brands have been paying closer attention to the design of this humble headpiece than ever. So much more than a means to style out a bad hair day, baseball caps have become a fixture of many a man’s off-duty wardrobes, not least because some of our favourite style icons regularly don them to go about their days as discretely as possible.

It won’t come as a huge shock to anyone that the baseball cap originated from the great American game, with roots in the late 19th century. Its function of keeping the sun out of bowlers, batters and fielders’ eyes extended to many an outdoor sport that followed, and though sports brands still lead the way with modern-day designs, luxury fashion has been fast to adopt the accessory in recent seasons, from Burberry to Balenciaga.

Whatever your budget, worn with a pair of sunglasses and joggers, a baseball cap can be a key component of that out-to-avoid-the-paparazzi look. And the fact remains, when donned on a run or to the park when the sun is shining, be it a cap from Nike or a cap from Prada, it will also offer much-needed shade to protect your eyes and face from harmful UV rays (though that’s no excuse not to be using sun cream and SPF moisturiser).

And so, with the sun sitting in the sky all the longer these days, here we’ve picked our favourite baseball caps for men to put a lid on spring and summertime ‘fits. Shop the full edit below.

For more fashion, grooming and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.

• 1/20
  
  Reiss

  Proof that caps don’t have to be casual, this suave Reiss hardware is constructed from suedette leather for an altogether smarter look. While we wouldn’t go as far as to recommend wearing it with a suit, it’ll put a lid on those more put-together summer ‘fits based around an open, lightweight check shirt, chino shorts and a pair of Ray-Ban Clubmasters.

• 2/20
  
  Pangaia

  Speaking of Harry Styles, Pangaia is a brand that’s been adopted by the performer among many other major style icons. The brand specialises in elevated and sustainable staples in a rainbow of colourways, of which pinks and purples have thus far reigned supreme. Herewith, allow us to introduce you to your new favourite accessory – Pangaia’s 100 per cent organic cotton orchid purple baseball cap.

• 3/20
  
  Fear of God Essentials

• 5/20
  
  Represent

  Represent started life as a graphically-led streetwear label and has fast grown to incorporate everyday essentials like its best-selling 24/7 line. This cap comes from another rather more understated collection from the Manchester brand, Owner’s Club, which puts a simple-but-effective logo at front and centre in versatile monochrome.

• 6/20
  
  Aimé Leon Dore

  Enter Aimé Leon Dore’s achingly cool new Soho flagship and it’s the cap lining its wood-panelled shelves that you’ll see the city’s trendiest window-shoppers perusing. This cap pays homage to the ALD Cafe, which has also opened its doors in London and is undoubtedly the hottest spot for an oat flat white right now.

• 7/20
  
  Reiss x Castore

  Taken from Reiss’ second collaboration with fast-rising activewear label, Castore, this cap is a stand-out of the two’s elevated workout kit. Available in three colourways (including white and light blue), though this cap is engineered for performance with a lightweight, well-ventilated build, on-trend technical details like the bungee-cord adjuster give it a sense of style that should be seen outside of the fitness studio.

• 9/20
  
  Hermès

  There are caps and then there are Hermès caps. As if the five-panel cap wasn’t already doing enough to stand-out as the chicer style, the French fashion house has decorated it with a mix of varying horizontal and vertical stripes in beige and red, added elevated details like the two brushed palladium plated Clou de Selle closures at the back and signed the whole thing off with an understated yet unmistakable “H” – voila.

• 10/20
  
  Lanvin

  As Italist’s name might suggest, the luxury e-tailer is a first port of call for the many designer labels that have emerged from Milan and its surrounds, but that’s not to say it leaves out the main players of London, New York and Paris. Speaking of the latter, this colourful striped cap comes straight out of Lanvin’s FW22 collection, and this is the first retailer we’ve peeped it at.

• 11/20
  
  Louis Vuitton

  Some caps put a lid on a ‘fit, some steal the show. This Louis Vuitton number falls into the latter category thanks to its bold purple Malletier writing and visor and preppy LV embroidery at the back. Given its elevated leather closure and gold-tone hardware, it’s arguably better worn backwards than forwards.

• 16/20
  
  Polo Ralph Lauren

  You simply cannot go wrong with Ralph Lauren’s polo-playing emblem at the centre of your summer headwear, and that’s especially true if said headwear is done out in a sunshine-friendly pastel green hue. Put simply, this piece encapsulates everything that the label does so well; it’s preppy, timeless, and essential.

• 18/20
  
  Columbia

  There’s plenty about this Columbia cap that makes it a practical option for an increasingly unbearable British heatwave, from the sweatband to the UPF 50 sun protection and additional neck shield. But the truth is this kind of functional outerwear is increasingly appealing from a fashion perspective, too, worn with a graphic T-shirt and your favourite shorts.

• 19/20
  
  Burberry

  Burberry adopts a more muted check than it’s known for with this new season cap, in lighter beige shades which, though different, are still easily placed as the British fashion house’s. If you did need the extra reassurance, Burberry branding is tonally embroidered across the back of the cap, which is sure to make you the envy of all who walk behind you.

• 20/20
  
  Acne Studios

  In the winter, Acne Studios’ face patch beanies are always at the top of our wishlists, and when the sun starts to rear its head again, the label’s caps are equally coveted. Go for the dusty pink, something of a speciality for Acne Studios, and your summer style will get an instant lift.

  NOW READ

  The best summer hats for men, whatever your style

  The best flip-flops for men for channelling those summer holiday vibes