Know Your Ascot Caps

The ascot cap, or the Cuffley cap, is a type of men’s cap similar to the flat cap but has a rounded and hard shape. This is a one-of-a-kind flat hat, with notable differences from the usual ivy and driver caps. However, once you understand what it is and how to wear it perfectly, you will have yet another exceptionally stylish type of hat to add to your wardrobe.

What Is an Ascot Cap?

The ascot is a flat cap constructed of a single panel of wool felt molded around a round form. Due to the shape and the lack of seams in the crown, the ascot cap has a very rounded appearance.

Most ascots are only one color, usually muted or earthen in tone. Other materials, such as cotton and leather or wool fabrics in various patterns, can be used to make it.

What Is the Difference Between a Flat Cap and an Ascot Cap?

To start with, the ascot cap material is more durable than other low-profile flat caps. It is usually composed of a single panel of wool felt, whereas the Gatsby and Newsboy hats are made of eight stitched-together panels, and the driver and ivy hats are made of three sewn-together panels. The ascot is traditional, less conventional, and perhaps tired than most other flat hats on the market today.

It also has a circular shape that doesn’t change because the felt material is “hard.” This gives it a more refined, distinguished appearance, similar to other designer hats such as the derby or bowler cap. As a result, it’s better suited for formal clothing such as suits and sweaters.

These differences contribute to a more distinct accent and a more defined style.

Types of Ascot Caps

 

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Traditional wool felt is employed to make some of the most common types of ascot caps. On the other hand, several more authentic and unique looks use more contemporary fabrics. One of the most fashionable new styles is the corduroy ascot cap (the Guinness).

Some other types of ascot caps include:

  • Wool felt ascots
  • Tweed
  • Corduroy ascot
  • Plaid
  • Herringbone

You’ll look fantastic wearing one of these fashionable rounded-shape hats.

How to Wear the Ascot Cap

To wear the ascot cap, you must first match it with the appropriate outfit. Wear the cap with a formal jacket or suit and trousers. The color of the hat should match the rest of the outfit; for example, a black hat goes well with a dark suit.

Place the ascot cap on top of your head and tie the necktie under your chin so it is tight against your throat. The hat’s brim should be just above the brows. You should use a hatpin to keep the hat in place.

Finally, make sure the necktie is visible beneath the hat’s brim. You can wear the ascot cap with various neckties, the most common of which is the four-in-hand necktie.

Styling Your Ascot Cap

Wear the ascot cap with a suit, a collared shirt, a stylish sweater vest, or other upscale attire. With your ascot hat, a nice shirt, suit vest, and dress pants often look great. If you don’t like wearing a suit, you can substitute it with men’s blazers.

Because the hat has a Western European vibe, it goes well with tweed suits, vests, and other upscale clothing. It looks great with jeans and a designer shirt, and it also looks great with a leather jacket or other fashionable overcoats.

Wear the ascot cap with any outfit that could benefit from a little authenticity—but not that much. Wearing this with extremely traditional clothing is not recommended unless you want to look authentic. You risk overselling this angle and making yourself look like a piece of history!

Best Ascot Caps for Men

a man with beard wearing an ascot cap

There are some excellent ascot caps available on the market today. We’ve listed a few of them below.

Belfry Ascot Molded Wool Ivy Cap

This four-star classic ascot cap is made entirely of wool and will add a lot of classic style to your winter wardrobe. This cap provides warmth and a fashionable look for a distinguished appearance. It is versatile, making it appropriate for business and casual settings.

Clape Ivy Ascot Cabbie Cap

Clape’s ascot cap is 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester with a cotton sweatband and an air layer structure. A cushion is placed between the hat and your forehead to reduce discomfort.

The caps also fit most hairstyles and heads, which is very exciting. It has an adjustable back button that allows you to adjust the hat’s fit. A bill is also tethered to the front crown, preventing sun glare and sunburn.

Kangol Men Tropic 507 Cap

The 507 combines the classic Kangol cap with the snug fit of traditional baseball hats, making it both stylish and comfortable for everyday wear. It is also made from a polyester-color fiber blend. The cap has an elastic closure, which makes it great and versatile.

WITHMOONS Ivy Cap

This ascot cap is appropriate for both men and women. It’s a cool cotton cap with three back snap buttons for easy adjustment.

Where to Purchase an Ascot Cap

You can purchase ascot hats online from hat retailers. They have a large selection of ascot-style caps and flat caps for sale at low prices. All are constructed with the best quality materials by the world’s best hat brands and milliners to last a lifetime and look fashionable.

How to Care for Your Ascot Caps

 

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You should exercise extreme caution when washing your ascot or other flat caps. First, read the label to determine the individual hat washing instructions or material. Hand washing is often preferred over machine washing for these delicate hat types.

To remove stubborn stains, use some liquid dish soap and a cotton swab, followed by a damp cloth to remove excess soap particles. If you have a lint roller, use it to remove any lint particles or use a piece of tape. If your hat is made of leather, clean it with a soft cotton cloth.

When cleaning your hat, use gentle circular motions to clean it. Rubbing vigorously can permanently damage the hat’s fabric fibers. If you must machine wash the hat, use a dishwasher rather than a regular washing machine.

After washing, air-dry your hat by pulling it over a hat shape holder and placing it out of direct sunlight and on a flat surface.

Although ascot caps are not widely worn, we believe they are a must-have wardrobe item for men. You should buy one for yourself!