Flat Caps

About 15 to 20 years ago, I picked up a Wigens flat cap with earflaps during a store closing sale. Originally priced at $150, it was marked down to around $30 or $40...a deal too good to pass up. I had never worn a flat cap before, but I figured it would be nice for chilly nights. Over the years, it became my go-to for fall and winter, though I never thought much about it. Even after watching Peaky Blinders, I didn’t give the cap any extra attention.

Then, a couple of months ago, I came across another store advertising deep discounts, including flat caps. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check them out...maybe I’d find a lighter one for warmer weather or something with a bit more color than my all-black cap. Fast forward to now, and after picking up seven new caps (including 4 more Wigens that were 50% or more off), I’ve unintentionally stumbled into a new hobby.

What started as a casual interest has quickly turned into a bit of an obsession. I had no idea there were so many styles, materials, and patterns to choose from—tweed, linen, cotton, cashmere, herringbone, plaid, patchwork, you name it. Each one has its own personality, and I found myself trying my best to match each hat with a coat/shirt or occasion. Now I see why people get into collecting them. There’s something satisfying about finding the perfect cap for the day.  

I’d love to one day visit Ireland to buy an authentic Irish-made cap straight from the source.  But for now, I'm giving the wallet a rest.

Any other flat cap fans here? What are your favorites, and how did you get into them?


Here's a screenshot of the one that arrived today:

Hollywood influenced me and then some web series from UK piqued my interest. Ended up buying two of them. Good for weekends during fall.

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Good old Andy Capp!   

Fan here as well. Not a cap for this harsh New England weather but great for Fall and Spring on the east coast and when back home in Ireland always throw a couple on throughout a week.

I love the traditional handwoven tweed caps preferably with County Donegal tweed but also wear a flat cap when it gets colder.

Top in my book is Kennedy & McSharry on William Street in Dublin as well as Kevin & Howlin near Trinity College. Great owners at both shops with a lot of history.


Michael Collins was a customer of Kennedy & McSharry and as I am a Collins myself feels great wearing some of the same tweed.

Here's me with my Tudor-style (or "Henrician") flat cap.



The black and yellow striped pole indicates that I am officiating as a Marshal (sort of a referee, linesman, safety officer kind of thing) at a Rapier Combat tourney.

I made this one. Well, it's flat on the top.


Patterned after this guy's hat, Federico da Montefeltro the Duke of Urbino

Yeah, he took a sword on the nose.

I’d love to one day visit Ireland to buy an authentic Irish-made cap straight from the source.

I'm hoping one day to find a good bit of dark green wool fabric to make myself a caubeen.

I wear French berets in the winter when I am wearing coat and tie. I like them because you can roll them up and put them in your jacket pocket when you are inside.

They add just enough warmth that with gloves, a wool sports jacket and tie or turtle neck shirt you can get away without a winter coat down to about freezing.