The Rich History of Irish Hats and Caps

Traditional Irish hats and caps have transcended their practical origins to become a popular choice of headwear worldwide, admired for their stylish appeal and as a symbol of cultural heritage. Well loved by celebrities, including the biggest names in film and music, Irish caps and hats continue to be worn daily as a functional and stylish choice, and they also provide an essential way in which the traditional skills of Irish craftspeople can be passed on to future generations.

Like the people of Ireland, traditional Irish hats and caps have endured centuries of change and adaptation. Today, the threads of Irish history cannot be separated from the Irish hats and caps that are still made here, and we can take a deep dive into Irish cultural identity to explore their importance. From flat caps to country hats, Irish caps and hats weave a rich tale with threads of the past and elements of modern fashion coming together to create a piece of living history.

 

Irish Caps: A Piece of History

The Irish cap is recognised all over the world as a staple of Irish fashion, and it has inspired many similar hats and caps, including the driving cap and the Newsboy hat. The design originated in Ireland many centuries ago, and it was firmly established as an everyday item in 1571, when a law was introduced that made it mandatory for all males over the age of seven to wear hats on Sundays and holidays. This law was intended to boost the local wool industry, and it was successful in this aim. The law was repealed only two decades later, but the flat cap did not disappear with it, continuing to be worn by working-class Irish men and boys for hundreds of years.

By the 1900s, the upper classes began to adopt the flat cap as a practical option for shooting and walking, and it remains a popular choice for outdoor pursuits today. However, this era also saw the flat cap make its way across the Atlantic, arriving in the United States with Irish immigrants, where it was adapted to create designs such as the Newsboy cap. At around the same time, the flat cap was being introduced to Spain and Italy by servicemen from the armed forces in England and Ireland, and this established its popularity in Europe. 

The flat cap is a fashion statement today, worn for practicality and style and popularised by the gangster culture depicted in iconic TV shows such as Peaky Blinders. The ‘Tommy Shelby look’ is now a popular choice for weddings and stag parties, and many well-known celebrities have embraced this style in their casual dress, including David Beckham, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna. The flat cap may be considered the original Irish cap, and it is usually still made from Irish Tweed, which is famed for its durability and quality.

 

The Panel Cap

The flat cap is not the only classic hat design to have originated in Ireland, and the panel cap, which is similar in shape and style, is another popular choice. The panel cap is also a rounded style with a brim, usually made from wool Tweed, but, as the name suggests, it is made from a collection of panels, which are sewn together and often fastened with a button on the top of the cap. The result is a cap which is slightly fuller than the flat cap, and it is very popular with men and women all over the world.

The Newsboy Cap is a variation on the flat cap, and this was named for the newspaper sellers who made it famous in New York in the 1920s and 1930s. This style was brought into the mainstream again by the Disney musical Newsies, which places this attractive cap in a leading role. Newsboy caps are particularly popular with women, and we love the gorgeous colours and designs that make up our latest collection. The seasonally inspired colour choices are especially eye-catching, and it is no surprise that these styles are so well-loved.

The Driving Cap is adapted from the flat cap in a similar way, and designs usually feature six or eight panels of woven tweed. These are stitched together to resemble an old spinning wheel, paying tribute to the crafters of days gone by, and are a good choice for keeping warm and dry in colder weather. The beautiful colours in our selection of driving caps made by Mucros Weavers are inspired by the Irish landscape, particularly the greens, blues and browns that are revealed in nature throughout the year.

 

Country Hats

A Wool Country Hat is a traditional Irish style, handwoven with the finest wool. Many of our gorgeous designs include alpaca wool for the ultimate in luxury. Alpaca wool is softer and finer than sheep wool, so it is an excellent choice in a wool blend for clothing. The colours used by our weavers include subtle purples and greens that reflect the heather and berries we see in nature, as well as the natural whites and creams of the wool that are the most classic choice.

Country Hats are made with a wide brim that can be worn up or down, and these are a great way to stay warm when you’re outdoors in the colder months. With a matching scarf, you can snuggle up and enjoy a wintery walk even if the weather turns, and there are many styles and shapes to choose from. These styles are popular with women of all ages, and they make a thoughtful and practical gift for your friends or family members, who will think of you every time they reach for their favourite hat!

Our waxed hats are a good option all year round, with a waterproof waxed outer to ensure you stay dry in wet weather. Many of our stylish designs are finished with a flower detail to add a touch of femininity to the classic look, and the tweed trim is a popular touch on many of the waxed hats and country hats made by Mucros Weavers. The skilled craftspeople at Mucros have been creating beautiful textiles from the finest wool and wool tweed for many years from their workshops in the stunning Killarney National Park.

 

Boston Wool Felt Hats

The Boston Wool Felt Hat is a statement piece that will make sure you turn heads for all the right reasons, and it’s the perfect choice for a night out or for a cosy country walk. The Boston Jack is a unisex design that features a leather band and branded pin badge, and it is handmade from crushable wool felt in a range of stunning colours. The wider brim offers protection against the sun and the rain, and the water repellent fabric is treated to ensure that water beads off and dries easily.

Taking care of your woollen fabrics is essential, and hats and caps especially need protection against crushing. Ensuring that your hat or cap is stored flat and reshaped when wet will help it to maintain the correct shape and protect the wool fibres, and woollen hats, like woollen clothing, will last a lifetime if looked after properly.

A Boston Wool Felt Hat is the perfect way to finish off your outfit and works just as well when you are wearing jeans and a sweater with ankle boots as it does with a tailored dress. You can dress your hat up for a wedding or simply use it to add a touch of style to your casual outfit when you’re heading to the pub with friends.

 

Baseball Cap

Our traditional tweed fabrics combined with the modern baseball cap design make for a unique casual cap that is a popular choice for sports fans and anyone who wants an alternative to the standard baseball cap to keep the sun out of their eyes. We love the way our designers have interpreted this design, creating a cap with a suede-effect peak and button top detail.

 

Irish Tweed: a Superior Choice

Irish Tweed is a traditional choice for flat caps and is woven from the finest wools by our skilled craftspeople here in Ireland. As a natural material, it is sustainable and will last a lifetime if it is cared for correctly, so you can be sure that you’re doing your bit for the planet as well as upgrading your wardrobe when you invest in a flat cap from Weavers of Ireland.

Wool is naturally water resistant, so wool Tweed is a good option to protect you against occasional rain showers, as well as keeping you warm in colder weather. The shape of the flat cap is also practical in its design, with a stiff brim that protects the eyes and face from relentless rain or long-awaited sunshine. It’s a classic cap that will guard against the elements while you’re out walking or add a touch of personality to an outfit for a special occasion, and it holds centuries of history and Irish identity in its threads.

 

A Cap For All Seasons

Building a wardrobe of hats and caps you love will ensure you have the perfect style to hand for every outfit and every season. Styling your hat to suit the weather is a good place to start, and we recommend a light, herringbone tweed flat cap for the spring and autumn months. In the springtime, we love the pastel shades that reflect the early spring flowers, such as pale lilacs, pinks and spring greens. Our autumn colour range is stunning, with our caps, hats and wraps available in warm rust tones, natural browns and oranges that look fantastic.

In the winter, a panel cap or a country hat will keep you warm and snug, and the traditional whites, greys and creams create a picture-perfect winter holiday style. Another option is to go bold with seasonal shades such as reds and greens that are warm and cosy for snuggling up by the fire. Bright colours are a great call when the weather is warm, and a baseball cap or wool felt hat is a good choice for summer evenings when the days turn cool.

We love the versatility of Irish caps and hats, with their practical designs that look great on men and women. If you are a hat person, you’ll want one for every occasion, and if not, you just need to find the perfect hat for you!

 

Find Irish Hats and Caps at Weavers of Ireland

At Weavers of Ireland, we source beautiful woven and knitted garments from our local artisan craftspeople. We aim to preserve the traditional skills that have been used to make these pieces for centuries and to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same quality clothing and homewares. Our range includes sweaters, cardigans, wraps and hats made from the finest quality wool and wool tweed, and we especially love the traditional Aran sweaters that were originally made on the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway.

Our classic Irish caps and hats are worn by men and women across the world to celebrate their Irish roots, and the only challenge is choosing your favourite style. Our friendly team loves to help customers find the best options for themselves and their families, and we offer the same great customer service on our website as we do in-store. If you are in Ireland, you can visit us in one of our stores, located in Killarney, Kenmare, Dublin, Galway, Glengarriff and Kinsale, or you can find our full catalogue online at Weavers of Ireland.