Men's Plaid Hats and Caps

Alternative to the traditional flat cap style, the eight quarter cap has a much looser and a more volumized silhouette which is created by putting together 8 triangular panels of material from a centre point on the top of the hat, usually covered by a cloth button. You can choose to have a pompom if you prefer! The largest distinction from the standard flat cap is that this style is much puffier and baggier. The body is also brought forward over the brim of the cap, but still less than its flat alternative. Although this style is categorically still a flat cap, it is more commonly referred to as a “newsboy” cap.

The newsboy cap was first seen to be worn by newspaper sellers in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, although it was worn almost universally by the working class. It is still similar to the flat cap as both are classically made from tweed and have a low profile, a small visor/brim, and are rounded.

Flat caps are most commonly constructed from tweed but are available in a wide variety of materials such as wool, cotton, tartan and leather.

Flat caps and newsboy caps can be worn with any outfit, from jeans and a shirt to a full suit. Choosing a neutral-coloured base to your cap (e.g. black, brown, navy or grey) will allow you to expand your options when styling it with an appropriate outfit. For a more traditional, classic look, pair one of our tartan flat caps with a plain v neck sweater and boots. For added sophistication, wear it with a matching jacket.

Before wearing a cap, keep an eye out to make sure that the fabric contrasts with the colour and material of your coat/jacket. Patterns which are too alike can sometimes look odd next to each other, so consider a pattern for one and a solid colour for the other. So tartan is perfect!

Our caps are made of a beautiful quality wool fabric woven in Scotland and can easily be cleaned by hand. Brushing with a soft brush is by far the best way to remove marks and dirt. Heavier stains may require water but try not to allow the brim of the cap to get wet during the cleaning process so it retains it's stiffness and shape, and handle your hat with care. Follow the steps below for great results:

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Do not use hot water as it may damage the fabric. Add a little amount (1 teaspoon) of wool detergent or if you don't have any a bleach-free, mild laundry detergent will also be okay.
2. Start off by wetting a small area of the cap, preferably somewhere hidden to see if the colour will bleed or not. If it does not then carry on as normal. If however it does, then stop immediately.
3. Next place the back of the cap in the bowl, making sure that the brim does not touch the water. Gently begin washing it and working your way up from the back of the cap to the front. Avoid washing the brim unless it is clearly dirty.
4. Give the cap’s inner sweatband an extra scrub, focusing on removing any built-up oil and sweat.
5. Once the cap has been given a light wash, lift it from the water and rinse it slightly with cold water to ensure any remaining detergent has been removed. Use a dry towel to gently remove any excess water. Make sure not to wring or twist the cap as it can damage the shape.
6. Leave the cap in an area where it can air dry, avoiding direct heat and sunlight. When placing the cap to dry, try to restore the shape of the cap as much as possible as it will dry in the shape that it is left in.

In most cases you will be able to spot clean stains or only the inner sweatband needs cleaning, and to prolong the life of your cap we would always suggest cleaning it as infrequently as possible.

The brim/visor of the cap should not get wet during this process as most brims are constructed with cardboard which will either crack or lose its shape when wet. If it is necessary to clean the brim, then do so using a small amount of water and a clean towel.