Difference Between Hat and Cap

Key Difference – Hat vs Cap
 

Hats and caps are two types of head coverings that are worn by many people. A hat is a headgear with a shaped crown and a brim. Cap, in contrast, have a flat head and no brim. A cap can have a peak or visor at the front. This is the main difference between hat and cap. In this article, we’ll explore different types of caps and hats, and their shapes.

What is a Hat?

A hat is a head covering having a shaped crown and brim. Hats are worn for several reasons, including protection against elements, safety, religious or ceremonial reasons or as a fashion accessory. Hats are sometimes also used as a part of a uniform. (e.g., military) The shape, size and material of a hat can vary according to its functions. For example, a sunhat, which shades the face and neck from the sun, has a wide brim whereas hard hats, which are worn for safety, have a small brim.

Types of Hats

Let’s look at some common types of hats:

Bowler hat: a hard felt hat with a rounded crown

Cloche hat: a bell-shaped ladies’ hat that was popular during the early twentieth century.

Fedora: a felt hat with an indented crown and wide brim

Panama hat: a traditional brimmed straw hat of Ecuadorian origins

Top hat: a tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hat

Cowboy hat: a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat, associated with ranch workers

Panama Hat

What is a Cap?

A hat is a head covering that is similar to a hat. A cap can be also described as a type of hat. The main difference between hat and cap lies in the shape; caps are flat or have crowns that fit very close to the head and have no brim. Caps only have a peak or a visor. The visor of a cap is usually intended to protect the eyes from the sunlight.

Types of Caps

Caps come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Given below are some examples of common caps.

Baseball cap: a soft cap with a rounded crown and a stiff peak in front

Flat cap (cloth cap): a rounded cap, usually made from wool or tweed, with a small stiff brim in front

Deerstalker: soft cloth cap with peaks in front and behind, originally worn for hunting

Baseball caps

What is the difference between Hat and Cap?

Definition:

Hat: Hat  is a covering for the head usually having a shaped crown and brim

Cap: Cap kind of soft, flat hat without a brim and typically with a peak.

Shape:

Hat: Hats usually have a shaped crown.

Cap: Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head.

Brim:

Hat: Hats have a brim; the size of the brim depends on the type of hat.

Cap: Caps don’t have a brim; they only have a peak or visor.

Use:

Hat: Hats are worn by men and women for several reasons, including protection against elements, safety, religious or ceremonial reasons or as a fashion accessory.

Cap: Caps are mainly worn by men to protect their eyes from the sunlight.

 Image Courtesy:

“New-era-cap-product-picture”  (GFDL) via Commons Wikimedia

“Monticristi Straw Hat Optimo” By Jmolina1999 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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