Whilst my favourite posts have been about music, Web 2.0™ and pie, strangely one of this blog’s most frequently read articles is one that I wrote earlier this year about flat caps. It has put me in touch with several fantastic flat cap fanatics who I never even would have known existed had I not accidentally appointed myself as their unlikely poster child.
As unintentional as my flat cap fame is, I still must bear the fashion responsibility that it bestows upon me, and when serious issues strike the flat cap community, I need to respond. Recently I have noticed that some flat cap owners seem to not understand how to properly wear them. Granted, it can be rather confusing, as they easily fit on the head in up to as many as two possible positions. My beloved grey Kangol didn’t even come with instructions!
With this in mind, I have prepared the following diagram to illustrate how to properly don your flat apparel without looking like a twat*:
* Please note that Samuel L. Jackson is the only human being in existence allowed to wear his flat cap however he chooses without being guilty of twattiness. This is because no one who values their life should ever consider calling Samuel L. Jackson a twat.
Well put Gary. I feel as strongly as you do about the style and I understand the bond of family ties in regards to respect after they are gone. Im most certain your Grandfather is proud of you as mine is as he was a flatcapman himself
The best thing to do about cleaning your cap is not to get it dry cleaned as it would have cardboard that could shrink and ruin the shape of the cap. My way with tweed is a damp sponge and then air the cap out streaching it every so often to retain its shape it works with cotton and velvet caps so tweed should work as well
I am a proud cap wearer from the british isles. FORWARD!! Simple as that.
I completly agree Grodgers. Im proud of my beloved style and always will wear it forwards. Im Australian but I dont judge the style by the guys wearing it e.g age as its a cap for any age and NOT just the elderly nor disrespect the design by wearing it backwards. They dont wear their underwear outside their pants so why they slander a style that has lasted for 100’s of years is beyond me
Hello again,
I’m now thinking of getting a cool looking pork pie hat. The flat cap issue I have gotten over and now wear it sideways. My blues band is now on the up and apparently people like that I make a little effort to dress up and at least look like I know what I’m doing while performing. Any thoughts here regarding the acceptable levels of hats named after a tasty and calorie-tastic snack, Mr Duff et all?? Melton Mowbrays Rock! Pasties BOO!!
I vaguely remember the humble pork pie when I dabbled in headwear before settling to a flatcap but I havent worn one since 1991. But recently the fedora/Trilby/porkpie has come back into fashion via MTV and thou its good to see the Doctor Jones look back again. Im a flatcapman and alway will be.
I dont think you can go much wrong Porkpie wise as I dont remember anyone ever wearing them backwards but a late comedian called Red Skeleton wore them inside out for a gag but it never caught on as a fashion
I actually sell flat caps, and after reading your article can’t agree with you more. In fact i’m even thinking about demanding anyone who wears one of my hats the wrong way round has the cap taken off them, and not refunded. Unless of course it’s Samuel L Jackson.
I did once see somebody wearing a flat cap sideways, now is that only half a twat or twice a twat? Discuss…