A good baseball cap is often overlooked based on its uncomplicated name and nature. And yet, its history is longstanding and evolutionary: Baseball caps came onto the scene in the 1800s (when the sport was invented), and although the original model has transformed since then, it's now a mainstay in fashion and pop culture.
Today, we consider the baseball cap an off-duty essential. Why? It’s an easy solution when you can’t be bothered to do your hair, and it just looks effortlessly cool when paired with anything—from a knitted sweater to a blazer or even a leather jacket. “Pulled down just above the brow line, baseball caps are a great way to cast a shadow over the eyes that will instantly add an appealing edge and mystique to an overall look,” says Aemilia Madden, a freelance fashion editor and creative consultant.
We conducted hours of research on the best baseball caps, evaluating them on style, versatility, and fabric. After consulting with two fashion stylists and considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated choices.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Vintage-Inspired: Best Splurge: Best Classic: Best Trendy: Best Sustainable: Best Sporty: Best Brand Merch: Best Denim: Best Budget:
Best Overall
Uniqlo UV Protection Cap (Twill)
Material: Cotton, polyester | Colors: Black, Beige
When it comes to perfect basics, Uniqlo reigns supreme, and this baseball cap is the ultimate example. With a classic unisex design and two goes-with-everything color options (black and beige), it would integrate seamlessly into virtually any closet. But though the cap’s appearance is simple, its construction is anything but. Plus, the hat comes with built-in UPF50+ protection and quick-dry fabric that hides the look of sweat—a real plus for summertime.
Best Vintage-Inspired
Tombolo ‘Le Sirenuse’ 7-Panel Souvenir Cap
Material: Organic cotton canvas | Colors: White/Red
Tombolo’s Le Sirenuse cap draws on a classic souvenir style and tiny details from the storied Le Sirenuse Hotel, perched high above Positano, Italy. The cap has seven panels and features a snapback closure, brass eyelets, and a hand-embroidered bullion patch. It also isn’t shy of personal touches; on the inside of the cap, there’s a lost and found label and printed signatures of some of the hotel's most famous guests like Ronald Reagan, Louis Ferdinand, and Paloma Picasso.
Best Splurge
Prada Re-Nylon Baseball Cap
Material: Regenerated nylon yarn, cotton lining | Colors: Black, White, Mint Green, Yellow, +more
For something more luxe, try this cap by Prada. The Re-Nylon Baseball Cap is made from regenerated (i.e., recycled) nylon and is decorated with the brand’s distinct enamel triangle logo. It is on the pricier side for a cap, but it encompasses everything we love about the brand, namely the minimalist style, high-quality materials, and iconic logo. Plus, the fact that it comes in six colors and sizes makes us confident that you can find your perfect match.
Best Classic
’47 Brand New York Clean Up Cap
Material: Cotton | Colors: Blue, White, Moss, +more
Baseball lovers, take a page from the off-duty style handbook of Gigi Hadidi and Kaia Gerber by shopping this iconic cap from ‘47 Brand. This one, in particular, is made of cotton twill and features the New York Yankees’ classic ‘NY’ logo embroidered onto the center, but you can easily find a similar one for your favorite team on the brand’s site.
For something more unique, we recommend the New York Yankees Navy Apple ’47 Brand Harvest Clean Up Dad Hat, a favorite of commerce writer Caitlyn Martyn, who snagged it at the start of the season. “Every time I wear this adorable hat to a game in the Bronx or even my local farmer’s market, I’m always stopped by people wondering where it’s from,” she explains. “It adds a subtle twist of fun to the classic hat I’ve sported since I was a kid.
Best Trendy
Isabel Marant Logo Embroidered Cotton Cap
Material: Cotton | Colors: Red/White, Navy/White, Navy/Pink, +more
Is Princess Diana your style icon? Check out this ‘90s-inspired hat from Isabel Marant. It’s simple (with basic color options like Red/White, Navy/White, Navy, and more) but chic, lending itself well to both tennis whites and striped button-downs with bikinis. Fans of the French designer will also enjoy the big Marant logo front and center.
Best Sustainable
Madewell Organic Cotton Broken-In Baseball Cap
Material: Organic cotton twill | Colors: True Black, Alabaster, Roasted Squash, True Kelly, +more
Shop sustainably with this all-cotton cap by Madewell. It comes in several colors: True Black, Alabaster, Roasted Squash, and more. On top of the fact that the fabric is made from 100% organic cotton, each hat has been specially washed for that perfectly broken-in feel and even features an adjustable leather back strap that makes every outfit look 10 times cooler.
Best Sporty
Alo Yoga Off-Duty Cap
Material: Polyester, elastane | Colors: White, Black, Green, +more
It’s hard not to walk through the streets of NYC or LA without spotting a handful of people sporting an Alo Yoga baseball cap. It’s for good reason, though; this cap is the epitome of off-duty style, even down to the name. The basic hat comes in a few colorways—mainstays like white with black lettering, black with white lettering, all-black, and all-white, plus limited edition drops every once in a while. Whichever you choose, you’ll be pleased to know that this cap goes with everything, including casual chic ‘fits and workout sets.
Best Brand Merch
Glossier You Look Good Cap
Material: Cotton | Colors: Off-white
Every baseball cap collection should have a few choice merch pieces. Beauty fans will love Glossier’s signature cap emblazoned with the brand’s mantra “You Look Good”—a sentiment we could all use while getting dressed in the morning. Made from soft cotton in a shade of off-white that goes with everything, it’s set to become your staple summer accessory.
Best Denim
Levi’s Essential Cap
Material: Cotton | Colors: Black, Regular White, Light Blue, Jeans Blue, Dark Blue
Diehard denim worshipers will want to add this Levi’s cap to their collection, stat. Made from cotton twill with an adjustable snap closure at the back, it’s a real throw-on-and-go classic. Thinking of rocking the cap with your other denim faves? Take tips from the Canadian Tuxedo experts and try mixing denim textures and shades. This cap comes in a range of washes, including black, white, and three levels of classic blue.
Best Budget
Kangora Cotton Adjustable Baseball Cap
Material: Cotton | Colors: Aqua, Beige, Black, Blue, Brown, Charcoal, Fuchsia, +more
This unisex baseball cap has garnered the praise of nearly 3,000 reviewers for its good quality and fit. Like the cap above, this one is simple in design but comes in over 25 colors. For less than $10, we'd consider this option a steal. Plus, it's available on Amazon, so you can count on it to arrive quickly and without paying for delivery.
Best Color Range
Aritzia Tna Dad Cap
Material: Cotton | Colors: Black, Pastel Sage Green, Cobalt Blue, Whisper White, +more
Aritzia has mastered the art of creating basic, wear-with-everything pieces—and this cotton hat is no exception. Like a classic cap, it features embroidered eyelets and an adjustable back strap, but it's different from the rest thanks to the fact that it comes in 23 pretty colors. At such a reasonable price point, you'll definitely be tempted to snag multiple colors to add to your rotation.
Best for Winter
Totême Wool & Cashmere Baseball Cap
Material: Wool, cashmere | Colors: Black, Carmel
Six-panel baseball caps are often synonymous with warmer weather since they’re generally made from cotton or polyester, and the visor keeps sunshine out of your eyes. So, luxury brand Totême set out to expand its reach. This cozy cap is made from sumptuous wool and cashmere, so you don't need to abandon it in colder months.
Best Leather
Coach Leather Baseball Hat
Material: Lamb leather | Colors: Black
Elevate the look of a typical baseball cap by opting for one made in an alternative, unexpected material like leather. The Leather Baseball Hat from Coach is made from 100% lamb leather and looks as buttery smooth as it feels, giving each outfit you wear a subtle hint of luxury, even if you’re just lounging around in jean shorts and a plain white tee.
Best for Summer
& Other Stories Linen Baseball Cap
Material: Linen | Colors: Wheat
We all love a wide-brimmed sun hat, but they’re not the most convenient when the wind picks up, or you want to rest your head on the sun lounger and read a book. And don’t even get us started on the ordeal of getting through an airport with one of those things. Enter & Other Stories’ linen cap. This easy, breezy design will keep your face shaded all summer long without overheating your head. Plus, it’s compact enough to throw in your carry-on or beach bag without any fuss.
What to Look for in a Baseball Cap
- Size: Hat size is ultimately based on the circumference of your head, though many brands don’t provide specific measurements to help you gauge the right fit. Most rely on a one-size-fits-all construction with a flexible back strap. When in doubt, read reviews on how a specific hat fits.
- Material: The type of material you should look for depends on what you’ll be doing while wearing your baseball cap. If you’re planning on being active, a cap made with sweat-wicking material is your best bet, but if you’re looking for something to throw on your head before stepping out for errands, fabrics like tweed, terry, and leather will work just fine. For a hat that’ll carry you through all sorts of activities, stylist and designer Mickey Freeman explains that cotton is always the best material. You just have to try on different versions to assess which one looks and feels the best for you.
- Color: Color is another factor to consider when it comes to baseball caps. Some styles come in just one or two basic shades, while others come in upwards of 20. We recommend snagging a neutral shade, like beige, navy, black, or white, if you’d like your hat to pair well with a ton of different outfits, but hues like orange, green, and purple make for pretty pops of color, too.
FAQ
- How do you style a baseball cap?
A simple yet fashion-forward way to style a baseball cap would be to wear it with a great-fitting spring trench, a T-shirt, wide-leg trousers, and low-top trainers, says Freeman. “Also, using the urban flair of a baseball cap and T-shirt to offset a sharply tailored suit will easily do the trick.”
Why Trust Brydie
Hayley Prokos, Byrdie’s associate fashion commerce editor, wrote this article. After hours of researching and chatting with our experts, she’s gathered enough insight to determine which baseball caps are worth buying this season.
Byrdie staff commerce writer Caitlyn Martyn updated this article. She has tons of experience with baseball caps, as she can be found proudly sporting a Yankees hat about 50% of the time.
Byrdie contributor Esme Benjamin checked and updated this article in 2024 to ensure every detail was correct and each product deserves its place on Byrdie’s list.
Our team worked with two experts on this story:
- Mickey Freeman is a stylist and designer based in New York. He's worked with Keke Palmer, Azealia Banks, Dylan Sprouse, and more.
- Aemilia Madden is a freelance fashion editor and creative consultant. She has held editorial positions at TZR, WhoWhatWear, and POPSUGAR.
