The Story of Flat Caps in Ireland and England

When do you hear “flat caps”, who comes to mind? Is it the image of Brad Pitt wearing a flat cap or an image of Justin Timberlake? Is it perhaps an image of Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders? If you were asked to think of a place, however, you would most probably think of Ireland or England. That is because the flat cap has a long history there. In the past, it was the accessory of the working man, but in the last decades, it became a fashion item sported by many celebrities and fashionable people.

The Origins of Flat Caps

Flat caps first appeared in the 14th century in Northern England. Back then, they were called bonnets. Perhaps the most memorable page in the history of flat caps is the short-lived 1571 Act passed by the English government in order to boost wool production and general trade. According to this law, all males over the age of 6, except for the nobility and “persons of degree”, had to wear woolen caps. Those who didn’t comply had to pay fines. Around 1700, they started being called “caps”, and in the 19th and 20th century, the caps were commonly worn all over England and Ireland. Today, the flat cap is a style of choice and you can frequently see people wearing them and also a lot of shops selling them. If you are a flat cap sporter yourself, you can find Irish flat caps online. You need only to find the perfect style and fit, and this sleek item is yours.

How did Flat Caps become Fashionable?

Until the 1920ss, flat caps were considered a headwear item for the working class. In the 1920s, the caps became fashionable among boys of all social classes. In the 1930s, the knicker suits fell out of fashion. The flat caps were typically worn with knicker suits, so they naturally fell out of fashion as well. Although their popularity continued to decline in the second half of the 20th century, the style was “revived” in the 21st century. In fact, in 2019, the flat caps have made it to the list of things people most often spend money on. That was thanks to celebrities like David Beckham, Collin Farrel, Brad Pitt, Justin Timberlake, Harry Styles and others. It was also thanks to the immense popularity of Peaky Blinders, which made the flat cap style truly iconic.

When is it not allowed to wear a flat cap?

Not surprisingly, there are rules of etiquette dictating when it is appropriate to wear headwear and when it is not. These rules were applicable in the past. These days, they are optional at best. Traditionally, a man should remove his hat when entering a building, in the presence of royalty, and in the presence of a lady. The image of a man taking off his hat when talking to a lady is iconic in classic movies. Nowadays, removing your hat when you enter a building or in front of a woman is very rare, but removing it in front of royalty is still a rule that people have to observe.