Men's caps

Hackett London's men's caps take the brand's nautical crest into off-duty territory, with a pre-curved peak and cotton-blend crown built to survive a rucksack, not just a hat stand.

Construction and fit

A pre-curved peak keeps its shape even after being packed flat for a flight, thanks to an internal pressed-card stiffener Hackett London has used unchanged since its first sports accessories range. The back closure on structured men's caps runs on a five-position strap, while the lower-profile models use an elasticated band instead.

Fabric for the season

Cotton gabardine at 210 g/m² gives a matte finish that doesn't show sweat and holds up well through the middle of a summer afternoon. Seams at the crown get a double top-stitch, exactly where an unreinforced knit cap tends to fray first.

Getting the size right

Measure head circumference at the forehead, roughly a centimetre above the ears, for the truest read. Men's caps with an adjustable back closure cover a wider range than fixed sizing, which makes them the safer bet buying online.

Do Hackett London's men's caps come pre-shaped, or do you need to break them in?

The curve is set at the factory by the internal card stiffener, so there's no need to shape it by hand. Bending the peak the wrong way can crack that stiffener permanently, which is the one thing worth avoiding.

How do you wash a cap without losing its shape?

By hand, in cold water with a soft brush for any marks, then left to dry upside down over a bowl to hold the curve. A washing machine warps the peak stiffener and tends to shrink the elasticated back unevenly.