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Curating an ensemble on the daily really is a balancing act, literally: There’s a time to lean in and go big and bold, and there’s a time to keep things more subtle, yet no less stylish. Simple style sometimes wins the day (OK, most of the time), and here’s where the best simple baseball caps can add a bit of well-considered flair to your laidback looks.
There’s a time and a place for baseball caps–start with the ballpark for a summer baseball outing, for one, or a casual backyard BBQ–and there’s almost always a time for a plain, solid color baseball cap without a logo.
The kind of cap you can throw on in a pinch to work out or to run errands, and the kind that nicely complements more straightforward get-ups, like a throwback white tee and blue jeans, or a navy polo and olive-hued stretch chino shorts (to name but two options). For adding simple, straightforward style to casual situations, these are our favorite plain baseball caps.
When it comes to all things rugged and functional, Huckberry knows plenty. The San Francisco-based brand dials things in quite nicely with durable waxed cotton canvas, the kind of material that works to repel wind and rain in a pinch.
The waxed canvas will even develop a nice patina over time (like your favorite Huckberry jacket), and the color options on offer are as easy to mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe as any on the market.
Is there anything Buck Mason can’t do remarkably well? The all-American brand is upgrading your accessories rotation with this pleasingly rugged, versatile canvas ballcap in a cool Maple or Natural hue that goes with just about anything you can dream up–especially a Buck Mason chambray shirt and expertly faded black jeans.
The sueded cotton canvas will break in nicely over time, and the vintage-inspired design is as classic as it gets.
If you haven’t yet tried Proof’s Rover Pants–a blend between a chino, a jean and a work pant, made with rugged stretch canvas fabric–then now’s as good a time as any.
Better still is the fact that you can complement those versatile pants with the aptly named Proof Rover Hat, made from a blend of cotton, Sorbtek and lycra for stretch and breathability in equal measure.
Plus, the Dark Olive color is neutral enough to wear with shades of tan, grey, black or navy–give it a try and see for yourself.
The Topo Tech Cap is designed specifically for outdoorsmen, delivering technical performance, water-repellence, and reliability that will keep you active and enjoying life.
Built with a tough stretch nylon taslan with a hint of flexible spandex, the minimal hat looks like your classic baseball cap but wears like your favorite long-distance running or hiking hat.
The fabric will shrug off rain to keep your head dry, and allow heat to escape so you won’t overheat on a long, hot day. The internal taped seams add extra durability to the traditional 6-panel design, and you’ll have no trouble fitting the cap to your head thanks to the adjustable webbing strap with its tough buckle.
AETHER takes the best of the best in terms of technology and performance, and then blends it all together with crisp, classic style.
That’s the case whether you’re considering the brand’s technical outerwear, or this tech-minded yet straightforward navy or green ballcap.
The cotton twill is durable and tough-minded, yet the interior sweatband is soft and made to wick away sweat, so think of this classic option like a performance ballcap made for day hikes and morning workout sessions.
Seeking a true performance ballcap, the sort of hat you can wear on the trail and back into town without missing a beat? This stretchy, packable ballcap is made to fight wind, sweat and rain, all the while proving subtly stylish and easygoing.
Throw it in your backpack at a moment’s notice (again, it’s packable and can take a beating), and be sure you’re pairing it with stretchy, mobile Western Rise pants and a moisture-wicking shirt.
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