The History of Scally Caps: From Irish Countryside to American Streets

Scally caps have enjoyed a resurgence in popular fashion in recent years and they have become a great choice for men and women from the countryside to the catwalk across the world. Scally caps are also known as flat caps, and sometimes the term is used to refer to Newsboy hats or Irish caps as well, although these are slightly different in design. Scally caps are usually made from tweed or wool, although they can also be made with linen, leather or cotton.

Here, we’ll take a look at the history of the scally cap and how it came to be a staple in Irish and American fashion. We’ll take a look at some of the hottest names on the planet who are frequently spotted in a scally cap and we’ll show you some of our favourite styles so that you can find the perfect addition to your wardrobe. If you have already embraced the scally cap, you’ll love our new designs, and if you’re new to the style, you’re in for a treat!

 

When was the Scally Cap first seen?

The scally cap itself has been around even longer than its name, which is believed to have originated in the Irish language and was used to refer to the lower classes in Ireland and England, including labourers, farmers and tradesmen. The flat cap, which is usually seen as interchangeable with the scally cap, has endured for centuries and is believed to have been first seen in Northern England in the 16th century, where it was thought to have been called a ‘bonnet’.

In 1571, the English Parliament passed a law to promote the domestic wool market, and this made it mandatory for all men and boys over the ages of six years to wear woollen caps on Sundays and holidays or face a daily fine. Although this Act was only in place until 1597, it established the flat cap as a popular choice for working class males throughout Ireland and England and the trend continued.

It was common for men to wear hats most of the time by the 19th and 20th centuries, and the flat cap was by now a symbol of working class fashion. At this time, however, the gentry and upper classes began to adopt the style, choosing a similar design in finer cloth. This continued as the cap became more popular as a choice for outdoor pursuits, including shooting and walking, and it was frequently worn as the hat of choice for young men in the 1920s. Some sources suggest that the scally cap represents hard work and a grounded approach, whatever the social status of the wearer.

 

Scally Caps in fashion across the world

As we have seen, the flat cap was a firm favourite in the wardrobes of men in Ireland and England by the early 20th century, and it was also being worn in mainland Europe by this time, after becoming commonplace in southern Italy and Spain where it was introduced by British forces. It also became a staple in Turkey in the early 20th century, especially after the fez was banned in 1925.

In the United States, the scally cap arrived with Irish, English and Italian immigrants when they arrived on the Northeast coast. The flat cap, or scally cap, first became popular in Boston and the surrounding area and the Newsboy cap evolved from it, worn by the newspaper sellers of New York in the 1920s and 1930s. At this time, the flat cap or scally cap was also firmly established as headwear for the gangsters of this time, as seen in performances of Bugsy Malone and other films and shows that are based in 1920s and 1930s gang culture.

 

Peaky Blinders and the resurgence of the flat cap

Of course, the iconic Peaky Blinders can take much of the credit for the recent resurgence in popularity of the flat cap or scally cap, which is the trademark look for the gangs featured in the show. Peaky Blinders is based on real gangs, including the original Peaky Blinders, who operated in Birmingham in the 1880s. Other gangs operated in the same area decades later and were renowned for carrying razor blades in their peaked caps, a historical detail which lead to the caps being incorporated as a style symbol in the show.

In the epic BBC series, Tommy Shelby and his brothers are seen to sport flat caps, as well as Baker Boy caps, which are similar but constructed from panels of tweed or other fabric with a more rounded style. As Peaky Blinders became a must watch show, the sales of flat caps and similar hats soared, and they recently became one of the most popular items bought by fashionistas in Britain, according to a consumer survey!

If you want to embrace the Peaky Blinders style, you’ll love the Donegal Tweed Flat Cap, which is hand-woven from 100% wool. The timeless style and luxurious quilted lining make it a comfortable, stylish choice for all seasons. The wool tweed used to make these caps has warm and waterproof qualities that will keep you cosy outdoors and help to protect you from the elements.

 

Celebrity Scally Cap style

The scally cap is a particularly functional style statement and this is why so many celebrities choose it as part of their daily attire. David Beckham, for instance, has a large selection of flat caps or scally caps to choose from, and his casual outfits often include these popular designs. Beckham is often pictured in a classic flat cap, such as this Donegal Tweed Herringbone Flat Cap, with traditional herringbone design made from 100% Tweed.

David Beckham, and indeed his son, Brooklyn Beckham, who appears to share his father’s taste in hats, are also frequently spotted wearing the more rounded style cap, such as this Mucros 8 Panel Driving Cap. This style was inspired by the newspaper boys of the early 20th century, and is said to resemble the traditional spinning wheel. This is a warm and comfortable choice with a decorative button finish and 100% cotton quilted lining that makes it a pleasure to wear.

Female celebrities have also jumped on the scally cap trend, with artists such as Madonna, Rihanna and Cameron Diaz embracing this look. We love the Ladies Tweed Newsboy Hat, which is handwoven from 100% Wool Tweed in a subtle color blend that is evocative of the Killarney countryside, home to the Mucros Weavers studio. The leather Rosette is a nice touch to add a feminine feel to the design, and the cap can be styled in any way you like to suit your outfit selection.

 

Your Scally Cap look

Finding a look you love can transform the way you feel about your wardrobe and your favourite outfit. The scally cap is a versatile accessory that works just as well on a country walk as it does at a glamorous wedding. Thanks to the adoption of the scally cap as a style must-have in Hollywood, it has become the perfect way to accessorise your formal outfit for a special occasion.

If you are dressing up for an event, you’ll need to style your cap to complement your suit. We love this Trinity Tweed Flat Cap, which looks fabulous worn with a matching waistcoat. This is a handcrafted woollen cap made from 100% wool in a traditional peak-style flat cap with sewn fastening. You can choose from a range of gorgeous color blends, including Forest Green, Grey and Charcoal with Blue, so you can find the perfect combination to suit your personality and the occasion you are dressing for.

If you want to embrace your Irish roots, you can’t beat the Trinity Flat Cap in Patchwork, which combines gorgeous earthy colors with the traditional peak-style flat cap. This is perfect for both men and women and you can really make it your own by wearing it with your favourite outfits. If you prefer ocean inspired colors, you’ll love the Patchwork C design, which looks fantastic as an addition to a more formal outfit, perhaps with a rich blue collared shirt worn with a jacket or sweater over the top.

 

Scally Caps on the catwalk

Scally caps have hit the headlines on several occasions and their resurgence has been well documented in the fashion industry with a recent piece in Vogue magazine highlighting the importance of these hats in modern popular culture. Designer Svitlana Bevza discusses the way the style has been adopted for women, using different fabrics to create particular looks. For instance, Bevza brought a black satin version to the catwalk, which looks stunning with a dress or tailored suit, as well as a white cotton design that can be styled with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual, stylish look.

We’ve seen top brands such as Chanel incorporating flat caps into their catwalk shows and the versatility of the flat cap can be seen in the way they are styled with so many different looks. The sleek lines of the scally cap work well with loose or more angular tailoring and we love the way that alternative looks can be created by varying the fabric, color or even the angle of the cap. As we know, couture fashion doesn’t always translate well to the high street but the scally cap has pulled off the transition and is firmly established as a wearable, practical style.

The Newsboy cap is a similar style that is well suited to women and this has been featured in many catwalk collections. This is a style that women all over the world have embraced to bring a touch of glamour to their wardrobes and it can be styled up or down for a casual or more formal look. We love the Ladies Wool Peaky Blinders Hat in Donegal Blue, which is also available in several other gorgeous color combinations. This design is made from a natural wool blend that includes 30% Alpaca wool for a soft, durable finish. It’s handwoven by Branigan Weavers and can be worn with a warm winter overcoat or a light sweater, depending on the weather.

 

Authentic Irish Scally Caps

Here at Weavers of Ireland, our range of scally caps or flat caps includes traditional designs with a modern twist, as well as gorgeous styles inspired by the colors of the Irish countryside. Our aim is to support the traditional skills that have long been used by craftspeople in Ireland and the ancient weaving and knitting traditions are preserved by our artisan producers. In this way, we help to keep Irish history alive and pass on these essentials parts of our heritage to future generations. We will not compromise on quality and the garments and homewares we produce are designed to last a lifetime, becoming family heirlooms.

Our catalogue includes beautiful sweaters, jackets, wraps and hats made from wool and wool tweed, as well as stunning homewares, toys and children’s clothes. If you are planning a trip to Ireland, you can visit us in one of our stores, located in Killarney, Kenmare, Dublin, Galway, Glengarriff and Kinsale. Alternatively, you will find our full range online at Weavers of Ireland.