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.
lol! Good article. If you can do a piece on chavs as well, that would be great!
I always wear my flatcap FORWARDS in public as backwards does not only make the wearer look cheap and nasty but its also disrespect for those who wear them the appropriate way. The 1st picture I would proudly tip my cap in a friendly gesture and say hello but the backwards way would cop a dirty look and I would walk away feeling like tearing out my hair.
You look awesome with it on forwards pal. I would be proud to meet you that way.
BTW Samuel L Jackson is just showing off like a typical rich person as rich idiots can devaule trational fashion and get away with it which is sad and pathetic. Hes a great actor no doubt about it but his fashion sense blows ass end of story.
God bless you fellow flatcapman. Its gentlemen like yourself that gives me hope and the strength to keep wearing my beloved style.
Best regards Sir
A flatcapman till the day I die.
Lloyd.
Heres an extra word on flat caps
A flatcap can be worn forwards at a slight tilt much like a fedora. Jan Jurewicz wore his green turnio slighlty tilted to the left. It is an old styled way to wear a flatcap and is rather comtable. I find my cap slides on my head to a tilt when my head sweats. I never wear mine backwards in public, cant stand the sight of those who do (esp. older guys who should know BETTER) and feel discusted by those who ruin a decent style that way (backwards wearing can turn a flatcap into a nasty oval shape)
The wearing of a flat cap either forward or backwards is a given point. Forwards is the way forward, backwards is steeped in dipshittery and lessons in mediocrity. Sam Jackson is an actor, not a tasteful flat hat wearer. The problem is that he is a public figure and doesn’t take his haberdashery responsibilities seriously.
I do prefer a fedora or a trilby to a flat cap (the flat cap is still an option though). There is no debate as to wear it forwards or backwards, they are often of a neutral color matching more outfits and provide shade from the sun.
Sorry Pat but beg to differ. Sammual L Jckson should take responsiblty as a public figure as a lot of younger people do look up to him. A flatcap was originaly made to be worn FORWARDS there is no ands ifs or butts about it and as for shade from the sun they were not quite bulit for that purpose either as they dont protect the back of the neck from the suns rays. I wear one because its my style I love the style and it makes me “me” I dont wear one for sun protection and I refuse to wear anything else.
I respect you wear a ribly or fedora and thats cool with me as its your style but flatcaps will always be a part of me
I am very fond of flat caps but lose them with monotonous regularity because I fold them and stuff them into a side pocket from whence they slip never to be seen again – so it’s back to the Charity Shops for another!
Any tips on where in London (E3) might I find a particularly good place to buy a Flat Cap?
Regards,
Andy.
There are great places in the UK. Failsworth, Greenwoods and Scala make sweet flatcaps but for London go to Jermone Street as they have mensland shops there and have a range of gentlemans hats and caps plus I have seen photos of flatcaps and they have some very sexy looking and regal tweeds and turnios there. Im getting an Everton flatcap soon from someone I know which I proudly will wear even thou Im not a soccar fan. Its a blue and white summer cap with a logo on the top
if i were to wear a flat cap i agree with you and i would wear it properly but i think you care too much about what other do, wear you cap how you like and if someone else wants to wear their arse, fuck it, let them wear it how they prefer man.
you sound like you going down the wrong road in life, get on the road to your own zion.
what i was meant to say was…
I remember when i was young, 9 years old maybe, and i was on holiday in america and i saw a kangol flatcap and i spent all my holiday mony on it, all 12 dollars and i loved it. i wore it backwards because it was an evolutionary trend, but i had it for one day and someone took it from beside me without me knowing and it was never to be seen again.
If i were to wear a flat cap i agree with you and i would wear it properly now but i think you care too much about what other do, wear you cap how you like and if someone else wants to wear theirs hanging out their arse, fuck it, let them wear it how they prefer man.
Dave Knapik you sound like you going down the wrong road in life, sitting at a computer all the time, a website like this must take alot of dedication and alot of your time if not all if it, get on the road to your own zion and you’ll get there.
any replys will be appreciated.
Elliot
Wow, it’s been ages since I wrote this post and since then it has exploded into the most popular post on my wee little blog. I guess there’s a lot of flat cap fans out there!
Thanks, Lloyd, for helping out with the questions and giving your sage advice. If you have a link to a picture of you wearing one of your many flat caps, do post it!
As for Elliot, actually, a web site like this takes shockingly little time to produce. I mostly ignore it and then every few weeks (or months) I pop in and say something silly. Someone took your cap when you were little, and for that I am sorry. It seems to have emotionally damaged you somewhat and that sucks. If you hadn’t been daft and worn it the wrong way round, however, you might still have it today.
Elliot you dont get it man. Wearing a flatcap backwards damages it over time as it turns it into an ugly oval shape. People who wear them like that may be their choice but it looks disrespectable plus most people I have seen wearing that style look like they are poed all the time esp. seeing me doing the right thing cap wise. Plus on an elderly guy like that its simply looks as bad as seeing a mini skirt on an elderly lady. (no offense to the ladies). A guy I know wore his flatcap backwards in public and hes 72 years old and I nearly died of shame. It was worse when he asked me to try one of mine on backwards and I did and he said “ohhhhh that look is so you” I wanted to tear out my hair hearing THAT and replaced it forwards VERY FAST. Im sorry to hear you got robbed of your cap as that def was a low blow. Hopefully you got another later on.
Dave I have a picture of myself on You Tube or My space. Just put in flatcapman on You tube and my profile should come up with one picture
lol ure all a bunch ov fukin nerds wtf, wat kinda person gets instructions on how 2 wear a hat…faggots, u wear it how u want, if u got no sense ov fashion or style this is a site 4 u…loosers!!
Trigga what kind of person wears one backwards? A MORAN thats who. If you call that fashion then your the sad loser who jumps when socity calls. Flatcaps were made to be worn FORWARDS and people who wear them backwards should be shot thou the fukin head at dawn.
If you dont like our site then why dont you SOD OFF then and allow flatcap loving guys like us enjoy the syle like the way we do???
“There ain’t no party like an sclub party!”
And lets face it that party is going to be the worst and most lame fucking party you’ve ever bloody well been to.
Forward is good, jaunty is better, backwards is criminal.
I wear my cap forward if the sun is in my eyesw and backwards if the sun is on my neck!
Before some muppet replies in what if i am on a round-a-bout, i wear my cap at work brickieing, so in the words of Fred Dibnagh, fuck you it’s my cap (well i think he said it, and if he didn’t he should have.
Thanks for the comment, Trev. I would have to say that wearing a flat cap as you do, for a very practical purpose, you need to wear it however it helps you the most! I’m no cap cop, just a silly piss-taker.
Wear some sunscreen out there, too!
Well thats your choice Trev but at the end of the day I will have a flatcap that has lasted me years. I choose to wear mine forwards as thats the reason they were made
Trev British vets wear the cap backwards to deliver a cow but like yourself its for a practical reason but I still hate the look because people think it looks “trendy” and I simply dont. Its a matter of choice and if I wear mine forwards I always have sunscreen on the back of my neck. Like Dave Im no cap cop myself but the look does draw either a dirty look or I simply ignore the person. So the simple fact about me is a flatcap forwards gains respect and backwards simply gets the cold shoulder from me. Its the way I have been brought up and if it makes me a “stick in the mud” then so be it and like you said “its my cap and my life and if you dont like it then fuck off and fuck you”
There endith the lession
An interesting site. I think many people here have a point. Wear your hat as you like; especially for practical purposes.
It always strikes me as rather odd that people get so hung up on such trivial matters.
However, I do agree that said headgear was designed to be worn in one fashion. It would seem to me that wearing it in the opposite fashion renders the wearer illiterate (what say you TRIGGA?)
If we’re going to get so pedantic over headgear fashion then perhaps we should all lead by example and check our grammar and spelling? Sorry to be provocative, but we should all either apply the same standards to the rest of our existence, less be judgmental of others?
Shotgun I simply dislike the backwards look and hate the people that do it. Oh and by the by my grammer and spelling should be the least of everyone elses worries. I have every right to be judgemental as if someone is doing something wrong then it should be noted NOT ignored.
My POINT is if you wear a flatcap backwards then you get a cold and nasty response from me. I respect those who do THE RIGHT THING
“THANK YOU”
The only good reason for wearing your cap backwards was in Ireland in the old days, when it was de rigeur if riding your bicycle in real heavy rain. Hence the old joke about “he fell off and seemed alright until I turned his head back the right way”. Be warned!
I agree with that Bill H but the only practical wearing of a flatcap backwards would be when the British vets have to deliver a calf from a pregant cow and they turn the caps backwards in order to not only do the job right but also not to endanger the baby nor its mother. As well as what you said but its hardly a practical nor attractive fashion for today worn like that. Im a forwards man and always will be and the only time I have ever worn backwards in public is when I had a tweed that was a size too small because I walked to the shopping mall in humid heat and the sweat band was cutting into my forehead leaving a nasty red line so I went inside and turned it backwards to give my forehead a break and I had a few guys with a large camera watching me and taking pictures of me as I sit there and glared at them (hate being eyeballed). I only pray I didnt start this trend as nobody wore flatcaps backwards then. I turned it forwards after I cooled down and my head stopped hurting (had a migranine it was THAT bad) but that was a long time ago and I wore forwards ever since (gulit perhaps)
I am a forward wearer! Backwards just is not the way to wear a cap.
Not natural.
Nor is it that makers have to put their mark on the outside so that I, having paid for their product, end up wearing an advert for them. A good cap shouldn’t need a makers mark, it should be recognizable to all in its own right. If I want a badge on my cap I’ll put my own on.
You don’t see British soldiers, police or the like wearing hats with their badges beside a Kangol symbol, so why should I.
I totaly agree John L What I did was wayyyyy back in 1995 and that was only for 5 mins at the most. This was before Jackie Brown came out in 96. Nobody wore them like that then so I guess I did stand out at the time but it was more unintentional then anything else. I have worn them forwards for 13 years since. Mayby Im wrong but it feels I started the backwards craze and for a loyal flatcapman thats a heavy burdon to carry since I hate the backwards look. But like yourself Im a loyal forwards wearer now and always will be.
FYI to all. As an associate at Kangol, the manufacturer of the hats worn by Mr. Jackson, I should tell you that only one of our many styles is what could be considered a “flat cap”. The style Mr. Jackson frequently dons is NOT that style and is specifically designed to be worn forwards or backwards. I have no opinion on your forwards vs. backwards argument, only to inform you that if you are referring to the hat worn by Mr. Jackson in the above photo as a “flat cap”, you are mistaken.
I want a flat cap (that would be worn forward so don’t shoot me) but where do i get one? Lloyd you mentioned Failsworth hats and i live not to far from Failsworth but I thought it got knocked down to make way for Tesco’s carpark. If it’s still in Failsworth then where is it? If not do you know of anywhere in Manchester i could get a good’un. Cheers.
PS. Back to front makes you a C**T.
Manc That very interesting you said that as Failsworth still has their website up and running so they must operate fromn somewhere. Perhaps they moved to another location. the website can be loacated on Google if you put Failsworth hats in. Greenwoods is another great place for flatcaps as well as Marks and Spencers who has an awesome selection for winter ones(well they were in Blackpool when I was there). Also any mensland shop will sell flatcaps as they are a tried and true style or if Manchester has a flea market you can get really good styles for 5 pounds each. Blackpool has one so Im certain Manchester does as well. And when your there dont let the store clerks give you the “it only an old mans style” bs just do as I do look them str8 in the eye and show them you are serious and since they want your money they have to overide their ageist view on flatcaps (Its a style for younger men as well not just for old guys that popular view is socity’s bULLS^&T and its discrimination as well. Discrimination by age).
Good luck with that with seraching for one. I trust you will find a great winter one as its the season where you are again.
Found another example of a properly donned flat cap:
http://www.blogger.com/profile/18186032712420489580
I agree with most of the article, however Samuel L. Jackson is a twat; and nowhere did he look like more of a twat than in the Phantom Menace… Although, to be fair it’s hard to pick on SLJ specifically, as together, the entire cast comprised, what I would call, ‘a bunch of twats’.
What I like to know is why this backwards look is so popular considering it looks so horrible and disrespectful? Its def not respect and I have given backwards wearers dirty looks as they have done to me hoping they will say something but they never do they mostly either look pissed off or smug looking which I basicly count to 10 very slowly to control my anger and why do they choose Sammel L Jackson as a fashion role model???? Dont get me wrong hes a great actor but its stupid if he ran around wearing a nappy that they would follow like sheep and do the same. My point is “Be yourself and wear what you are comtable with” and of course a flatcap forwards is what I like best.
Heeey,
The other day, a pal I work with gave me his new ‘Flat Cap’ as he has apparently had the piss taken out of him (more than usual) while wearing the said attire as he struts about his manor in Greenwich South London.
As I play blues guitar in a sort of a fun gigging band I have decided to wear it backwards and completely ’style it out’. Also, I live in ‘The Sticks’ and have deemed it possible to wear in ‘back ta front’ whilst mooching about the village. So far I have ventured out to the post office to pick up my copy of ‘Classic Rock’ magazine and no eye-lids were batted.
An ideal ‘hat role model’ for a hard rockin’ amigo like myself, is from circa 1989 -Mr Izzy Stradlin from Guns ‘n Roses who sported a huge black effort with the popper undone -revealing a suprising amount of floppiness while wearing it the correct way.
In my head this is exactly how cool I am hoping to look, even though the deafening shouts of ”Frank Spencer” from the Mrs and Kids tells me not.
Just be yourself Gazcat I dont dictate to people which way to wear but if backwards wearers expect me to wear mine like that then they simply wont get their way as its MY choice to wear one the classic way. People tease because they are afraid of someone who looks different and its their problem.
My point is wear the cap the way you like but dont expect me to agree its a “style” as its clearly NOT nor do the same.
If wearing a nappy was in fashion would you follow like a sheep and do that???????
Last night the Mrs accused me of trying to go for ‘a look’ just because I was thinking what shoes would suit me. My only foot attire of late (bar weddings and funerals) are usually Etnies Trainers and Timberland Steel toecapped boots. Anyhow, point taken LLoyd, If we all dressed the same it’d be pretty boring huh.
I agree with you there on difference but its tough around backwards wearers and that God awful “smug” attitiude they have. I dont approve of the backwards look but I pretty much just ignore people like that as my focus is the forwards wearers and they are the ones I have respect for. Its nothing personal agasint yourself or others its just how I was rasied and if wearing a cap forwards makes me an old fart at 37 then so be it thats my chioce like backwards is with youself just dont be suprised if seeing that gives out a negitive response from me as the old saying goes “Respect has to be earned NOT given”
Lloyd Muff. you are a retard.
at 37 years old you should have more important things to do with you life than sitting in front of a computer spouting fascist flat cap shit that nobody wants to hear. people can do what they like with their caps. if they want to look like samuel l. jackson they can, and if they want to look like an 19th century chimney sweep then thats fine too.
twat cap.
Sammuel L Jackson or thats who you really are which I seriously doubt. Who died and made you King, Queen and God Almightly? I was stating a point that if a person wears a flatcap backwards they get NO RESPECT from me. I have as much right to talk about this as I have to put with the scum who infest MY town with this abuse of a lovely style. The only retards are people like you and your asskissers who do nothing but give me crap for no god dam reason. My point in case your retarded brain didnt catch it the 1st time is “I have time and respect for those who wear their flatcaps in an approriate manner”
I have nothing but serious HATE for those who disrespect not only the elderly but also someone WORTHY who should had lived thou the foreigner and you sick animals should had been lined up and SHOT.
And if Max Ryan did that to each and every one of yous I would be his no 1 fan and nonoe of this shit would be happening now
Sammel L Crackpot or in your case smoke pot
To be or not to be, that is the question…
[see what I did there...]
Im afraid you are all quite wrong about not wearing a flat hat brim backwards.
I am a flat hat wearer and frequently don it backwards in fact whenever I take the Morgan out for a spin.
It would seem perfectly in order to wear ones hat backwards when motoring so as to allows the wearing of goggles without which the insect splatter on the eyes would prove troublesome.
As for samual L jackson all I can say is , He’s an american , what do you expect.
We’ll have none of your anti-Americanism here, mordred. I’m an American myself and I know how to wear a flat cap properly, which is more than I can say for you.
Mored I have seen young American guys as young as 18 wear a flatcap forwards and they dont resort to backwards wearing. I lost a good friendship in the UK over backwards wearing and the friend who wore is was 73 YEARS OLD, English and should had known better at his age. He also wanted me to wear my own backwards and I was discusted at the thought
I just had a friend from the UK say to me I look like man with porsche from the foreigner. I was “flattered”(excuse the pun) by him thinking I look as handsome as Jan Jurewicz and ok I do admit his style fits me like a glove and suits equally.
As for Jackson being American he really should be more responsible with his public image esp. since younger people look up to him. But you have to admit an Englishman in his 90’s looks not only stupid with a flatcap on backwards but anti British as well
At last, some like minded souls. I ‘made the mistake’ of wearing my flat cap into work on casual Friday. My god, what an uproar! The others my age thought i was taking the piss, and the others – my parents age, decided i was mad. I even had pictures posted next to my desk of others wearing flat caps with the caption – ‘Flat Caps, Not Just For The Old’.
The following week, i wore the cap again, and this time, to my dismay, an older guy wore one also, thinking he was hilarious. Little did he know, i have a good quality cap, and his made him look like he was a retarded lawn bowler or deviant train driver.
Flat Caps rock. Keep the faith and don’t bow down to the haters.
Just a quickie for Mr. Lloyd Elliot….
Jesus christ man, snap out of it yeah!!!
For some reason, you seem compelled to reply to each and every single post on here, repeating again and again how you started the flat cap to the back fashion, how you’ve ended relationships because of flat caps donned backwards, how you are apalled and disrespected by this non fashion. Man, were you abused as a child???
Get down off your high horse fella, resist the urge to repeat and reply to every comment posted – you’d be doing us all a favour.
Sheesh…
Well put Macellous. Im proud of what you did and you did the right thing so theres no worries there. I bet you looked awesome.
And as for someone who thinks putting Christmas to my name is clever. Im NOT on any high horse. This room is for those who love the flatcap style and I happen to be one of them. I battled thu a lot of people like yourself so your words are hardly news to me. I love teasing you backwards wearers because you act so over the top its funny.
My war againt those who slander us REAL flatcapmen and women will never end. I stand by those who do the right thing.
Fella (Lord Elliot) you’ve completely missed the point…..
I think anyone who tries it out, will quickly realise that wearing the “cheese cutter” to the back makes you (the royal you) look a right tool.
What I’m getting at are your posts / comments / replies…. For crist sake fella, you sound like a god damn flat cap nazi. Have a word with yourself yeah…
I fail to grasp your logic Christmas. How the hell does wearing a flatcap the way it was originally meant to be worn make me look like a tool if anything those who do it wrong are the tools in my view.
As for me being regal?????
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you for real man??????
Im hardly anyone like that. Im just a working class guy who enjoys wearing flatcaps forwards and how does me stating my view make me a NAZI????
Your logic is flawed as seeing a flatcap backwards should be considered criminal and the people who do it shot thu the head at dawn. Its a terrible waste of a cap and never fails to make my blood boil. The people doing it with their fake smiles, thier crappy attitute and looking at me like IM doing the wrong thing never fails to bring a dirty look from me towards them.
I recently returned to Vancouver Island from Bournemouth, where I attended the funeral and read the eulogy for my late grandfather, a life long flatcap wearer. I now have his old Debenhams cap, and wear it with pride EVERY day here in Canada. Under no circumstances would I ever wear it backwards, for that would dishonour the memory of my beloved Granddad. Flatcaps are the business.
here’s a question though for you flat cappers, I work a lot in my garage ( I have a side business restoring classic Norton, Triumph and BSA motorcycles), and when I adjust the cap, invariably I have grubby fingers, what’s the news on drycleaning these caps, mine is a traditional tweed pure wool job, will it be ok? I am seeking a new cap, so as to save Grandads from inevitable grease, oil and miscellaneous soiling, but until then I hardly take Petes off! I don’t wish to ruin this family heirloom.