Newsboy Cap

The Newsboy Cap is a Timeless Classic

The newsboy cap is a rounded cap with a flat top that has a small brim in the front and a stiff peak in the back. The most common material used to make newsboy caps is wool or tweed however they have been seen made of leather, suede and vinyl. Because they have become fashionable for ladies you can also buy newsboy styled caps made from silk.

The origins of the newsboy cap dates back as far as 14th century England and began life as the workingman's flat cap. The flat cap was the common man's answer to an Act of Parliament that was passed by the English parliament in an attempt to improve the country's consumption of homegrown wool. The act stated quite simply that all men and boys over the age of 6 who were not members of the aristocracy or educated and degreed were to wear a cap made of wool on Sundays and holidays or face a fine of 3 farthings per day.

This led to the need for a cheap wool hat that both satisfied the law of the land and was functional. The flat top cap was the perfect answer as it was made from wool and could be worn by all working class men.

Not wanting to be outdone, members of the aristocracy soon took to wearing a tweed version of this cap and their popularity continued to grow. During the 19th century these caps were taken to America by the thousands of immigrants as the sought a new life for their families.

By the 20th century the younger boys had taken to wearing them and considered them to be the height of fashion. Many of these young men could be seen wearing this style while they worked as newsboys hawking newspapers on every street corner, thus the name "newsboy cap" was born. Worn in traditional wool by many as they were somewhat waterproof and very warm in the winter these hats became immensely popular.

Like any fashion newsboy caps have come and gone several times in the last century but true to form they have never gone completely out of style and are as popular today as they were many years ago albeit with perhaps a different crowd of wearers.

In the 80s punk rockers and skinheads took to wearing leather newsboy caps as part and parcel of their "look" and in some cases still continue to do so. This era also saw many different musicians and Hollywood starts take to wearing newsboy caps.

One of the most well known musician to sport a newsboy cap it Brian Johnson of AC/DC who is rarely seen without one on his head. Hollywood stars have such as Dave Chappelle and Kate Moss have been seen sporting a Borsalino newsboy cap when out in public. Of course when the stars are seen to be wearing any type of clothing it automatically seems to generate a new fashion trend and the demand for high quality newsboy caps has escalated in the last few years.

Because of its classic timeless look the newsboy cap can be worn year round with practically any fashion. They are now being made in so many different materials that you ladies can match them to any outfit and if you love to knit there are even patterns to create your own knitted version.