A good cap should feel like you forgot you're wearing it. Too tight and you'll get a headache and a red line across your forehead; too loose and it slides around and blows off on the seafront. Here's how to get it right, and why we chose a low-profile cap for Capenza.
How a cap should fit
- Snug, not tight. You should be able to slide one finger between the band and your head.
- Level, just above the eyebrows. The peak should shade your eyes without sitting on them.
- No gap at the back. If the back lifts away from your head, the strap needs tightening.
- No pressure on top. The crown should rest on your head, not press down on it.
What does low-profile mean?
Caps come in different crown heights. A low-profile cap has a shallow crown that sits close to the head, so it looks neat rather than tall. Taller, stiffer crowns (often called high-profile or structured caps) stand up on their own and sit higher on the head.
Our Essential Cap is low-profile and unstructured: there's no stiff panel at the front, so the soft washed cotton shapes itself to your head. It's the style people often call a dad cap, and it suits most head shapes because it follows yours instead of sitting on top of it.
How to adjust the strap
Our caps have an adjustable strap with a metal buckle at the back, so one size fits most adults. Put the cap on, then pull the strap through the buckle until there's no gap at the back but you can still fit a finger under the band. Tuck the loose end through the loop so it sits flat.
Which way should the peak go?
Our caps come with a pre-curved peak, so they're ready to wear. Want more curve? Roll the peak gently around a mug and hold it for a minute. Prefer it flatter? Leave it as it is: never fold or crease it, as the stiffener inside can snap.
Bigger or smaller heads
Because the strap adjusts, a low-profile cap fits a wide range of head sizes. If you're between sizes on other brands, an adjustable unstructured cap is usually the safest choice. Wearing it with lots of hair? Loosen the strap a notch and let the crown sit a little further back.
Keep it in shape
A washed cotton cap only gets better with wear, but it doesn't like the washing machine. Hand wash it cold, reshape it while damp and let it dry naturally. Our care guide has the full method.
Shop the Essential Cap in 19 colours
Questions
Are Capenza caps one size?
Yes. Every cap has an adjustable strap with a metal buckle, so one size fits most adults.
What's the difference between a dad cap and a baseball cap?
A dad cap is low-profile and unstructured, with a soft crown and a curved peak. Many baseball caps have a taller, stiffer front that holds its shape on its own.
Should a cap cover my ears?
No. A cap should sit above your ears, with the band resting just above them all the way round.