From the Sailor Cap to the Sou’Wester, the Many Hats of Menswear Inline
Photo: Umberto Fratini / Indigital.tv1/20The Sailor Cap
Colloquially known as the “gob hat,” the traditional sailor cap has been a millinery staple since being introduced as an official topper of U.S. Navy uniforms in the 1880s. Recently the style has had something of a resurgence, appearing at Visvim’s Spring 2017 men’s show and at Prada’s Fall 2016 men’s show.
Photographed by Phil Oh2/20The Songkok
Not familiar with the songkok? Don’t worry, few are. The brimless style is something of a cross between a fez and a side cap, popular in Southeast Asia. Even as a lesser-known topper, the shape managed to make several appearances in Phil Oh’s street style shots this season.
Photo: Umberto Fratini / Indigital.tv3/20The Peaked Cap
What started out as a military hat in the 19th century was appropriated in the ’60s and ’70s as a symbol of gay fetish culture, especially when done in leather. Raf Simons reinterpreted the hat on his Spring 2017 runway, in homage to the provocative work of Robert Mapplethorpe, whose photography was featured on garments.
Photographed by Phil Oh4/20The Bucket Hat
Originally a fisherman’s hat, the bucket hat became a pop cultural standard in the ’60s, a hip-hop essential in the ’80s, and an It-girl must-have in 2015—thank you, Rihanna! Today, you can spot the casual topper in men’s street style pics.
Photo: Monica Feudi/ Indigital.tv5/20The Hiking Hat
Leave it to Ms. Prada to turn arguably the least fashionable hat cool. Usually made of nylon with mesh trim—and typically found at the likes of REI—the hat appeared on Prada’s Spring 2017 men’s runway in deep hues with contrast stitching and the brims turned up. The question remains: How long until we see these hats on the street style scene?
