Figure 1.--Here we have an image of an unidentified boy and his great dog. You can tell that the two had a wonderful time together. All we know about this portrait is that it was a CDV, but note that it was taken outside. This sucggests tht it was taken around the turn of the 20th century. Earlier portrais were mostly taken in studios. The CDV format suggsts Europe, probably England. CDVs were relativelt rate in metica after the 1880s, but xtill being made in Eyrope at the turn-of-the century. We think the cap here is the boyh's school cap, but we are ot sxure. Notice the section piping. Note tht the boy doesn't have it on right/

The peaked cap was perhaps the most flexible style ever developed. It is also done in more colors than any other cap. This varies as to the specific type of peaked cap. It was widely associated with boys' wear in Britain. Iy was most directly associated with school wear. It fr appeared at school, but at first was sportswear. It gradually became primarily associated as part of a school uniform or at least for schoolwear. It was also worn to school in America, but not as strongly associated with choolwear as in Britain. School caps was just one orm of peaked caps. There were many different types of peaked caps. While the design varied little, the color and design worked into the cap could vary substantially, depending on the country and type of cap. The peaked cap is, however, far more than just a school cap. It is presumably the inspirtation for the merican baseball cap znd is worn for cricket. And not only did it have a school and sports side, byt if America it eventually became seen as a dress cap. Ir twas one of several styles at the beginning of the 20th century. It lost ojut to the fkat cap as the major voys caps, but then became asociated with dress wear. The peaked cap also became the iconic style for Cub Scouts arojnd the world.

Baseball Caps

The style was adopted by American baseball players in the late 19th century. While the school cap is the most well known peaked cap, We see the button on thd op we see with peaked caps. The original baseball caps looked like British school caps, a clue to their origin--presumably caps worn by British schoolboys playing cricket. Thus the modern baseball cap in a continuing reminder of baseball's origins in cricket. Baseball caps were worn almost exclusively for playing baseball and in the United States. As recently as the 1950s it was not common to see Amerivan boys wearing baseball caps except for actual play. Since the 1960s baseball caps have become virtually the only headgear worn by American boys and in the 1990s worn backwards. Beginning in the mid-1980s baseball caps have spread virtually all over the world and are worn by boys who have never played baseball and who would object to waring a school cap. American Scouts and Cubs adopted baseball caps in 1980 and Scouts in several countries who have never played baseball have followed suit.

Cricket Cap

Peaked Dress Cap

While the standard English school cap (also worn by Cubs) was the most common peaked cap, we also notice some American boys wearing a peaked hat with a much fuller crown. I am not sure if this cap was worn in other counties as well. It appears to be a style of dress cap for boys who had outgrown sailor caps. It was often worn as a dress cap, but we notice wealthy boys wearing them for play during the winter. We have noted this capp from about 1900-1930. By the 30s, boys when dressing up, especially boys from wealthy families, were more likely to wear a cap styled more like a traditional English school cap.

School Cap

The peaked cap it most associated with British school cap. The British school cap while of the same basic design came in a wide variety of colors and paterns (including pie wedges and cirles). The caps by the 1960s became very unpopular with the boys who often would only put them on when they got close to school. Many schools will strict iniform regulations continued to require them. Some schools even had prefects on the buses to ensure that the other boys kept their caps on. By the 1970s, however, almost all secondary schools had done away with them. Today they are rarely seen except at cricket matches and a few traditional prep schools. Interestingly some schools still requiring caps have shifted to the American baseball caps rather than the traditional English peaked cap. This trend can, for example, be seen in New Zealand. Peaked caps first appeared in England at cricket matches at the mid-19th century. They were soon adopted for schoolboy uniforms and were commonly worn through the 1950s. The peaked cap it most associated with British school caps. The British school cap while of the same basic design came in a wide variety of colors and paterns (including pie wedges and cirles). The caps by the 1960s became very unpopular with the boys who often would only put them on when they got close to school. Many schools will strict iniform regulations continued to require them. Some schools even had prefects on the buses to ensure that the other boys kept their caps on. By the 1970s, however, almost all secondary schools had done away with them. Today they are rarely seen except at cricket matches and a few traditional prep schools. The style was adopted by American baseball players in the late 19th century. While the school cap is the most well known peaked cap, the style was not limiyed to scghools. When Cub scouts were formed it became part of the basic uniform in most countries. British cubs continue to wear the traditional cap, but American cubs in the 1980s changed to baseball caps. Well dressed American boys wearing suits in the 1920s-30s often wore solid colored peaked caps. This was less common in Britain as boys were more likely to wear their school caps. Interestingly some schools still requiring caps have shifted to the American baseball caps rather than the traditional English peaked cap. This trend can, for example, be seen in New Zealand. Peaked caps were not extensively worn at American schools wear boys did not normally uniforms, but beginning in the 1920s as sailor caps declined in popularity, well dressed boys bdegan to wear peaked caps in colors matching their suits. The peaked cap was especially common with the Eton suit worn by younger boys in America.

Wolf Cubs

When Cub scouts were first formed in England, these chose the vasic school cap syle. It swas one in green with yellow piping (1916). Many foreign Scouts also chose the English style Cub cap for their Cubs. The American Sciyrs took some time to develop a Cub program, but hen they did they chose the Englisg-style peaked cap. Ame American Cub cap was done in blue. It became part of the basic uniform in most countries. British Cbs continue to wear the traditional cap, but American cubs in the 1980s changed to baseball caps.

Dresswear in America

Well dressed American boys wearing suits in the 1920s-30s often wore solid colored peaked caps. This was less common in Britain as boys were more likely to wear their school caps. Peaked caps were not extensively worn at American schools wear boys did not normally uniforms, but beginning in the 1920s as sailor caps declined in popularity, well dressed boys bdegan to wear peaked caps in colors matching their suits. The peaked cap was especially common with the Eton suit worn by younger boys in America. Even after graduating to more mature style suits, a well dressed American boy from an affluent family might continued to wear a peaked cap until 12 or even 13 years old.

Created: 10:10 PM 6/18/2014
Last updated: 10:10 PM 6/18/2014