This Is What Fashion Editors Really Think About Baseball Caps

To cap or not to cap? That is the question. It's a subject that has been circling Who What Wear HQ this week, after we scrolled through the many street style shots of Copenhagen Fashion Week and noticed that a surprising number of stylish editors had donned baseball caps. Typically associated with tennis players, beach-bound tourists and paparazzi-avoidant celebs, it was a bit of a curveball move for such a traditionally polished crowd, but, of course, they managed to look supremely cool. But would it actually translate into real life?

The majority of the team were distinctly ambivalent and said they would wear a cap on holiday for practical reasons but not on the streets of London. There were, however, a few who defended the outfit-elevating potential of the baseball cap, tracing their cool factor along the same lines of "dad" trainers, hoodies and luxe trackies. So we decided to let two editors fight it out. Will you be trying the cap trend in 2020? Let us know via Twitter or Instagram.

Scroll down to see how the fashion crowd have been wearing their caps and shop our shopping edit below.

Yes: Nell Block, Assistant Editor

"I think I'm the only one in the Who What Wear office who loves a bit of vintage sportswear. I'm no sneakerhead, but I do love my retro Adidas trousers and jacket (I never wear them together, however). So then, it's probably no surprise that I'd confidently wear a baseball cap.

"Right now, I'd style it with a pair of straight-leg blue jeans, a sweatshirt, an oversized blazer and either white Converse or heeled black ankle boots. Think Princess Diana on a dressed-down day. Finally, I think it's important to know that it can't just be any old baseball cap—it's got to be completely free of branding or just the tiniest of logos. No Von Dutch for me, thanks very much."

No: Joy Montgomery, Shopping Editor

Let's be honest here: There is no way that I could pull off a baseball cap. I've admired the way that fashion girls have embraced the whole sport-luxe trend this season, but I've never been drawn to that high-low look—think hoodies under blazers and trackies styled with heels.

Maybe it's the fact that people are wearing it in such a non-practical context. When worn on holiday on a sun-lounger, it's a functional item to shield from the sun, but in grey-skied London? It suddenly becomes a self-conscious style statement, like wearing sunnies on the underground or buying non-prescription glasses. I just don't think I can take myself that seriously. This is one trend that I'll be leaving to the Kaia Gerbers of the world.

How the Fashion Crowd Are Styling Theirs

Style Notes: You'd never think a fluffy collared Saks Potts coats would look so good with trackies and a cap, but this showgoer somehow makes it look so good. High-low styling in action. 

Style Notes: Kaia is officially the queen of the cap. She has got the whole "off-duty model" look down to a tee. It's all about elevating her low-key separates with a polished tailored coat.

Style Notes: I've seen a few editors styling their caps with a more minimalist twist, as seen on this individual. Think tonal pairings, colour-matching outwear and chunky boots. The khaki hat offers a point of difference from the many other clean-lined outfits on the streets of fashion week.

Style Notes: If in doubt, opt for a black, un-branded cap, as colour-wise, it'll go with most things in your wardrobe. We like how this influencer has used hers to add a sporty edge to tailored trousers and a knitted vest.

Style Notes: If you're brave enough, why not try a slogan style? You'll have to embrace the irony, however, and not make the statement too serious: "Do you swear on Chanel?" is suitably absurd. 

Style Notes: Another good argument for investing in a classic black iteration, but this time it's with a very "fashion editor" head-to-toe-black outfit. I, personally, wouldn't have added the scarf, but I love the addition of the quilted coat. 

Style Notes: While most of the cap styling has been on the minimalist end of the spectrum, this outfit could not be more maximalist. This is one of the few cases when accessory-matching works, as the hat harmonises with the blue of the coat, ensuring things don't get too busy.

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Up Next: Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Trends: What We'll be Wearing This Year