Top 3 brands making Dad Caps cool
1. New Era Sport Caps
Every Dad has some sort of sporting hat or cap. New Era has become one of the biggest brands in the world to sell sport teams merchandise — from American baseball teams to Australian AFL teams. New Era has become so popular because they don’t sell the everyday average merch that you would normally get at the stadium after a game. They produce high-quality stitching and embroidered designs. These caps are the ultimate Dad Cap.
Scrolling through the New Era online store, you can see which sporting teams are the favourites because their caps are sold out. Especially in their newest AFL Cordouroy Caps collection. Almost all of the AFL teams corduroy caps are sold out except for Gold Coast Suns, Greater Western Sydney Giants and Port Adelaide Power. Awkward for those less popular teams
2. STAX Dad Caps
Born and breed on the Western Australian coast in Perth, STAX is a popular global luxurious activewear apparel brand. Their rapid and successful growth from 2015 to now has made them one of the leading activewear brands in the world, seen on celebrities and influencers.
If you browse their headwear product category you’ll see a number of different Dad Caps. Yep, they really got on board with the new phrase. From the classic one tone cotton cap to the two tone suede cap, STAX has an array of Dad Cap designs. The best part about this Dad Cap movement, is that it’s not just Dad’s buying them. Influencers of all orientations are buying these caps and wearing them to events, festivals and holidaying around the world with their Dad Cap. Take the STAX Originals Dad Cap for example — it was recently seen on an influencer being a tourist in Somerset.
Some of you may be familiar with the term, MAMIL, also known as Middle Aged Men In Lycra. This next brand is one that actually started out as a cycling gear apparel brand, right here in Melbourne. Since 2014, MAAP has not only grown to become one of the world’s leading cycling gear companies, but has also become a modern and stylist every-day wear apparel brand.
MAAP has also got on board with the term ‘Dad Cap’ — which compliments their brand. As MAAP’s origins are in cycling gear, a majority of their customer base is male sport enthusiasts. The Dad Cap is an item that would interest this target audience. Whether they’re buying it for a bit of a joke or it’s practical and basic style — it’s an item that the customer will enjoy.
WHEN CAPS BECAME COMMONPLACE
While little kids in little league wore the baseball caps of their favorite teams, it wasn’t until the 1970s that more people started sporting this style regularly in their day-to-day lives.
It’s possible that the public was influenced by seeing their favorite ball players on television. What was once just on the field was now in their living rooms with much more frequency.
Certain TV stars could have also played a role in spreading the popularity of this fashion accessory. Some say Tom Selleck’s donning of a Detroit Tigers cap in “Magnum, P.I.” may have inspired others to incorporate this style into their everyday lives and make it more mainstream.
When MTV came onto the scene in the 1980s, rap and hip-hop artists started sporting the cap, lending it street cred and making it cool for the next generation.
THE DAD HAT TREND
So what about dad hats? This kind of cap stands at the intersection of cool and casual, along with casual bucket hats. It’s a trend that’s not actually about being trendy.
A lot of people don’t want to think too hard about what to wear or what not to wear before they walk out the door. That’s where dad hats come in. With dad hats, the emphasis is on effortlessness.
It makes it easy for a trend to take off when it’s, well, easy.
Functional and flattering, this take on the traditional baseball cap is usually softer and less structured. This cap has a relaxed fit, curved bill, and vintage look that gives it a timeless appeal.
They tend to have a worn-in feel and use a buckle closure or simple strap at the back, as opposed to the plastic through-hole snap of snapback caps.
Also known as dad caps, the look tends to be minimalistic. While they might sport a logo or simple design, they generally don’t chase the latest fads…just like dads, no cap
