What’s the difference between a driving cap vs a newsboy cap?
If you’re in the market for a new cap, you may have found yourself recently wondering: ‘What is the difference between a driving cap vs a newsboy cap’? While the two cap names may sometimes be used interchangeably, they’re actually two very different caps with very different histories.
In this article, we explain the difference, so you can dedice which style is best for you.
What is a driving cap?
A driving cap, also referred to as a driver’s cap, is a style of flat cap that has remained in fashion for over a century. The sleek, well-fitting cap serves the dual purpose of providing warmth and a touch of style and elegance.
Driving caps feature a small, stiff brim with a slightly rounded crown, and fabric which stretches from the back of the head across the brim. They’re typically made from tweed or plain wool, though leather, linen, and cotton driver’s caps are also popular.
This particular type of hat originated in Northern England in the 1500s and became popular in some areas of the country where men were mandated by law to wear woolen caps every Sunday.
When the law was eradicated, the hats fell out of fashion in most circles, but became a wardrobe staple once again in the late 1800s, especially among the working class. By the 1920s, the driver’s cap had transcended social structure and was a popular headwear choice among fashionable and wealthy gentlemen across England.
What is a newsboy cap?
A newsboy cap is the more voluminous cousin of a driver’s cap. While it still has a distinctive short but stiff brim, the crown of a newsboy cap is made up of multiple (usually eight) triangular pieces of fabric. These all meet at the top, secured by a button or snap. The end result is a much more rounded hat, especially when compared to the sleek silhouette of a driver’s cap.
Newsboy caps first came to popularity at the end of the 19th century, both in the UK and America. It was a common style worn by young, working-class men, particularly newsboys — hence the name. Soon, the style caught on and became a favored hat of choice among middle-class businessmen who eschewed the bulky top hats that were in fashion at the time.
By the 1910s and past the end of the First World War, newsboy caps were a common wardrobe item for boys and young men of all classes. Those in the working class, including dockworkers, farmers, newsboys, and tradesmen, wore them all day, every day.
For men of the middle and upper class, newsboy hats were a style reserved for outdoor leisure activities, like golf, driving, and shooting.
What's the difference between a driving cap vs a newsboy cap?
Though they’re similar caps with a shared history, there are some noteworthy differences between driver’s caps and newsboy caps.
- They have a different origin story. Driver’s caps date back to the 1500s, while newsboy caps were popularized by the working class in the late 1800s.
Each hat has its place in a gentleman’s wardrobe, and whichever is more your style, Tweedtopper has a cap to suit you. Be sure to check out our guide to measuring your ideal cap size before ordering.
Newsboy cap vs driving cap FAQs
How to wear a driving cap
Driving caps should fit snugly on your head. You want your cap to sit in the center of your head, not cocked to the side or sliding down too low. A well-fitting driver’s cap should hug the back of your skull, just like a baseball cap.
Driver’s caps pair best with smart-casual and formal attire, but avoid pairing it with other ‘vintage-inspired’ pieces like suspenders or vests. You don’t want it to look too much like a costume. You can find a full guide on how to wear flat caps here.
Are driving caps in style?
Driver’s caps have been in style for the last century, with no sign of dropping in popularity any time soon. Their versatility is to thank for their enduring popularity –– they can be paired with jeans and a polo, with chinos and a button-up, or even with a three-piece suit.
Where to buy driving caps?
As a driver’s cap is an investment for your wardrobe that you’ll be wearing for years to come, it’s essential to purchase a high-quality piece from a trusted brand.
Tweedtopper hats are made with 100% premium wool that keeps you warm while staying naturally breathable. Meticulously crafted by our skilled artisans, you can be sure that you’re receiving a cap of the highest quality. Shop our full range of flat caps today.