First worn in 1860 by Brooklyn baseball team the Excelsiors, the baseball cap is an indispensable part of every man's wardrobe. A loyal friend, it's there when you need it: shading eyes, protecting your head from passing bird bombs, allowing some semblance of subtlety when casting covert glances at the girl across the way. For sports fans, they're a beacon to like-minded fellows, or a quiet mark of dissent when in enemy territory.
Lacking the pomp and self-seriousness of a felt or wool hat, they're the great equalizer – beneath the brim's shade and a pair of sunglasses, you could be anyone, from regular Joe to movie star. While the modern baseball cap comes in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, there are certain classics whose iconic status cannot be denied. Here are a few of our favorites, and lesser-than.
The Mesh Back Trucker.
Depending on the context, fit, and brand, the mesh back hat can either say, "dude, look at my beard, let's go skate;" "I'm ready for adventure at a moment's notice, just hang on while I sign this petition!" or "get off my land." Avoid the high crown and overly-puffy front. It's a hat, not a crown. As with all "working man's hats," the dirtier and scuffed up the better. Nothing says poser like a crisp clean trucker hat.
The College Cap.
Usually white,, these are generally donned by alumni, though irony has been known to rear its ugly head, leading to alleged "Ivy Leaguers" serving up beer at your favorite dive bar or scamming on the ladies in a Dave Matthews Band parking lot. Low profile, with embroidered logo, they have a clean fit, and with proper poise will allow access to country clubs and sailboats without so much as a passing glance. Great for letting your lady friends wear to keep hair out of eyes in the 'Stang convertible.
The Fitted Baseball Cap.
Almost exclusively from New Era, this is a time-honored classic. Wool, well-constructed, simple colors. Sure, there are alternatives to that standard, but they should usually be avoided, unless you're headed out on tour with Macklemore. These are the rare chapeau that can cross style lines – you can wear 'em on a boat, to the bar, in the yard, band practice, you name it. Baseball is the all-American sport, and, consequently, this is the all-American hat. Just make sure you take the sticker off the brim and tag off the back, and feel free to give it a little bend. No one wants to see your spatula impression.
The Beer Brand Hat vs. The Energy Drink Hat.
With one, you're just a dude, shading his eyes, maybe grabbing a sixer and going fishing. The other, you're jumping into your monster truck to get hyphy in the suburbs. Choose wisely.
Streetwear Hats.
"That's what I love about all these high school girls, man." After a certain age, you should know better.
Camo Hats.
Okay, so let's be honest with each other. You see a dude wearing a camo cap, and you're immediately jumping to conclusions. Well, you shouldn't, 'cause A) stereotypes are bad and B) they probably have a gun. But seriously, folks, unless you're en route to bag a buck or bass, or are serving in the military, in which case by all means, carry on, you should likely opt for something a little less casual. What the hell are you trying to hide from, anyway?
Car Company Hats.
These fall under the same auspices as the beer company hats above. You probably got it free, it's dirty as hell, bent, folded, misshapen, and imprinted with enough DNA-laced dried sweat to build an army of clones, and you love it. It's perfect. You're not gonna wear it to the office, but sometimes a man's gotta block the glare so he can scan the horizon. We get it. Just a tip, stick to truck brands. Everyone is gonna feel weird if you rock a Daewoo lid.
Fashion Hats.
High fashion can be a weird thing. How else would you justify an $895 leather cap, or even a $165 basic cotton one? It's all in how the hat / brand makes you feel. Which must be pretty good, considering items like this sell out all the time.
Hats With Gadgets and Gizmos.
https://learn.adafruit.com/system/assets/assets/000/017/382/medium800/flora_vu-meter-baseball-hat-drones.gif?1402460623Maybe you're on your way to go do some night jogging, or read during a blackout. We'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But when you're doing it alone and wondering why, just remember – nothing says "I spend too much time gabbing at Radio Shack" like a hat with LEDs attached or Bluetooth connectivity. It's like a pocket protector for your head. And when it comes to decorating your dome with neon-glowing flair, see this, behave accordingly.
