The Perfect Hat For (British) Summer - A Silk Gatsby

Regular readers will know that I have something of an obsession for bakers boy caps.

I have them in both tweed and cotton weights, but have been after something lighter for the summer. What better to fend off the endless rain in England?

Popular from roughly 1890 to 1930 the Bakers Boy was worn not only by boys but working men across Europe and America.

In fact that were so popular they hurdled the class divide to be worn my wealthy motorists and sportsman as a casual alternative to the more formal headwear of the day.

Rightly these caps have seen something of a resurgence in popularity in recent years. A relative of the flat cap, what distinguishes the Bakers Boy is that, unlike its cousin, the cap is divided in to eight panels, with a button on the crown. In cut the cap is also much rounder and fuller.

Enter one of my favourite gents hatters - Bates in Jermyn Street have been there since 1898. Sadly in 2009 it looked as if Bates would cease trading due to their historic  21A Jermyn Street premises facing redevelopment. Thankfully the famous shirt makers Hilditch & Key  stepped up to the rescue, giving Bates a part of their shop at No. 73.

So, it seemed the natural place to go for a new titfer. I was immediately taken with a light grey herringbone silk Baker's Boy or Gatsby.

I found one of the last caps from their old collection - cut much more generously than the newer versions, the cap has an authentic 1920's feel to it, but nearly 100 years later this type of cap is just as functional and stylish as it ever was. They do still have a few of the old pattern left.

If you're interested have a look here.

The Bakers Boy Cap

... or News Boy... or Gatsby.

Whatever name it goes by this type of cap is something of a classic. Time was a chap would not think of leaving the house without some form of titfer covering the brylcreemed bonce.

Popular from roughly 1890 to 1930 the Bakers Boy was just the hat to do it, worn not only by boys but working men across Europe and America.

Ah, the halcyon days prior to nanny state anti smoking legislation. Two likely lads c 1920. (Public domain image)

Hurdling the class divide, the cap was also a favourite of the wealthy sportsman - with very full cut versions worn for golf or motoring.

Rightly these caps have seen something of a resurgence in popularity in recent years. A relative of the flat cap, what distinguishes the Bakers Boy is that, unlike its cousin, the cap is divided in to eight panels, with a button on the crown. In cut the cap is also much rounder and fuller.

Left to right: examples in Harris Tweed, Tweed / Cotton mix and Donegal Tweed.

I have a bit of a thing for these caps and have actually been banned by Management from purchasing more. 

I wear mine year round and have them in various weights form winter friendly Harris Tweed to a lighter summer weight tweed/cotton mix. They look fantastic with both more formal "walking out" attire or working rig.

Bates Hats - sadly they had to leave their own historic 21A Jermyn St premises, but thankfully are still trading in Hilditch & Key at no. 73.

Bakers Boy caps are very popular, with several brands jumping on the trend. 

If, like me, you prefer accurate examples that have been properly cut & sized you could do no worse that have a word with David Saxby in London. He makes his own from an array of different tweeds and would be happy for you to choose your own.

Bates Hats in Jermyn Street made the Donegal Tweed cap shown here. I quite like the slightly slimmer cut and larger peak of this cap, and alternate it with the fuller "golfer" type caps in my collection.

Those on a budget should have a look at the Harris Tweed example made by Failsworth*.

Herringbone Harris Tweed cap form Failsworth.

With the Festive Season looming, there is perhaps no better time to drop a heavy hint or two to your Significant Other. (Assuming of course they have not adopted the entirely fat-headed "no more caps, please darling" policy..)

*They still seem to be building a website. In the meantime you can purchase their caps here.