Growing up without the internet made it difficult to find the correct answer to certain things. The first time I encountered something that resembled a scally cap, was when my school was doing a play and all of the chimney sweepers had to wear a similar hat. The next time, it was when rappers on MTV were wearing them with a kangaroo logo on it. I later found out that the brand was Kangol and thus as a general term, my friends and I referred to both the scally cap and the bucket hat as Kangol hats. Aside from that, the only other thing I knew was that apparently, chauffeurs wore the hat as well so it became a driving cap.
From there on, that hat became something that hardly crossed my mind. I would see one from time to time in a movie with Ben Affleck and/or Matt Damon, which was almost always about Boston. I never saw them anywhere else.
Enter 2023, I was spending St. Patrick's Day in Boston, and lo and behold, the hats were everywhere. It would not be an exaggeration to say that 1 in 10 men were wearing one. Maybe those movies with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon did their research. Of course, they did! Still, I was shocked to see how this one hat could be so prevalent in one small area of the country, but almost nonexistent anywhere else.
The scally cap, its official name, is as Boston as can be. And I love it.
The scally cap, also known as a flat cap or a cabbie hat, is a rounded cap with a small stiff brim in front. It is typically made of wool or tweed and is often worn by men. The scally cap has a long and varied history, dating back to the 14th century.
The scally cap is believed to have originated in Northern England, where it was worn by laborers and farmers. The cap was made of wool or felt and was often lined with fur to keep the wearer warm. In the 19th century, the scally cap became popular with British soldiers and sailors. The cap was also adopted by the working class in the United States and Canada.
In the early 20th century, the scally cap became associated with the British gangster subculture. The cap was often worn by criminals and was seen as a symbol of toughness and rebellion. In the 1960s, the scally cap became popular with mods and rockers, two rival youth subcultures in the United Kingdom. The cap was seen as a symbol of style and rebellion.
Today, the scally cap is still popular with a variety of people. It is often worn by hipsters, rockers, and laborers. The cap is also popular with fans of British culture.
Where to Buy a Scally Cap
If you are looking to buy a scally cap, there are a few places you can go. You can find scally caps at most hat stores, as well as online retailers like Amazon. Here are two scally caps that you can purchase from Amazon:
1. LADYBRO Adjustable Newsboy Hats for Men Flat Cap Mens Irish
Designed with an adjustable belt inside the sweatband, the hat is adjustable to fit your head perfectly. These flat caps are warm and nice in the autumn and winter
The LADYBRO Newsboy Hats are made of high-quality wool blend tweed fabric, 30% Wool, and 70% Polyester. Tweed is a rough, woolen fabric, with a soft texture, more closely woven. The caps attach in the front to a hard brim that both provides protection from the sun and helps the cap keep its shape.
Available as a 2-pack for under $30, the LADYBRO Newsboy hat is a great deal to see if the hat is for you.
2. Boston Scally Co.
In my opinion, the Boston Scally Co. makes top-notch hats.
Although almost double the price of the LADYBRO Newsboy Hat, Boston Scally Co. hats are worth the price. I have had one for a little over a month now and have worn it at least 15 times, taking it off multiple times and stuffing it into my briefcase, pocket, or backpack. The hat maintains its integrity. I have done just about everything to put my hat to the test. Trust me when I say you can't do this with a normal baseball hat.
The Boston Scally Co. hat is the perfect hat to wear with a suit or business casual attire. You know those times when you don't want to look like a high school kid wearing a suit with a Yankees cap but you still want to protect your head?
The Boston Scally Co. makes hats in different styles, the single-panel (pictured above), 6-panel, and 8-panel so there's guaranteed to be one to fit the look you want. In addition, the Boston Scally Co. offers great neutral colors which makes these hats as versatile as can be.
I hope this blog post has been informative and I have at a minimum piqued your interest in trying out a scally cap. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.