A true fashion trend straight out of the United States, the baseball cap has become an integral part of American sportswear. More sporty, modern, and radically different from so-called "classic" caps (brooklyn, hatteras, newsboy...), they offer an urban style that is increasingly prominent in current trends. While common usage refers to them all as "snapback caps", it's important to know that several variations of American caps exist, each with its own particularities. To help you navigate, here's a summary of the main styles to know:
A true legend, it is the first traditional American baseball cap. Featuring a curved and rigid visor, it's the go-to accessory for many Americans. Originally worn by baseball players, it's also found on the heads of many rural workers, such as farm employees and truckers (hence the name "trucker"). With its mesh back, it's a vintage model par excellence and THE reference cap for baseball enthusiasts. This was the most widespread cap in the United States, even though new trends are gradually gaining ground. They are now found with a flat visor.
The fitted cap is the revival of American baseball cap models. Appearing in the early 20th century in the United States, the fitted cap is by definition a tailored and therefore non-adjustable cap: you need to know your head size and choose your model precisely. Originally created for baseball players in the 1950s, this shape was so successful that it became a true fashion trend. Why this popularity? Simply because baseball is a highly popular national sport, as is the outfit that accompanies it (and therefore the famous cap!) but also because this new shape brings a breath of youth to the world of caps, which until then were more subdued and traditional (remember hatteras caps for example, nothing alike). Today, the fitted cap is one of the flagship references of the New Era brand which collaborates on its models with different baseball teams. Given that these models are tailored to the centimeter, there's no possibility of adjustment at the back. A model suitable for those who know their size precisely.
Today, the term snapback is used for almost all American caps, yet the snapback is actually a distinct form and not a generic term for "cap". The very famous snapback came after the fitted caps, to address certain comfort and simplicity concerns: no longer having to bother choosing your size. Some baseball players then started the trend of the now adjustable cap, a blessing for all those who could never find a fitted cap in their size. The principle? A plastic fastener on the back, with different snaps to adjust the size. The term snapback therefore directly refers to this fastener (snap) that needs to be clipped to adjust. Again, the phenomenon goes beyond baseball fields. In the 80s, snapback models were adopted by many rappers who further popularized them with the general public. The snapback cap then became the ultimate must-have of the time. Even today, this shape is experiencing a real craze with brands competing in originality in their design.Cap Kingdome - C&S
It's simply a variation of the snapback, this time with an adjustable strap made of fabric or leather. This new adjustment allows for even more precise sizing since you're no longer dependent on the predefined spacing of the snaps. Again, there is a very wide variety of models, offered by the biggest brands.
As its name suggests, the 5 panel is a cap model composed of 5 pieces with a flat visor and a snapback or strapback closure. This is a shape that is becoming increasingly popular with the general public and fashion trends. Adopted by many brands, it offers a modern urban style that is establishing itself as a new reference in the world of American caps.
New Era of course, but also Cayler&Sons, 47 Brand, Mitchell and Ness, Unkut and many others. So which shape to choose? It's up to you based on your preferences, of course. Fitted caps are losing popularity in favor of adjustable models that offer more comfort and security for those who don't know their exact head size. When ordering online, you're not taking any risk by opting for snapback and strapback models. However, there are so many variations that it's absolutely impossible not to find THE model that will catch your eye.