Figure 1.--It was not just junior boys that wore school caps. This 1897 photograph shows some iolder boys wearing school caps.

I'm not sure about the origins of the school cap. It does appear to be English. I do not believe I have noticed them until after the turn of the century in the 1860s. They were were definitely being worn by the 1870s and fairly common by the 1880s. Virtually every English school boy was wearing them by the 1890s. They may have originated as a part of a cricket uniform, but that is a guess on my part. More likely perhaps was they were schoolwear that simply was worn at cricket matches. As such, they may have been the inspiration for the american baseball cap. Perhaps one of our British friends will provide some information on the caps origins. They certainly were the inspiration for the greem Cub scout cap that until the 1990s was still worn in England. American Cubs wore a blue version until repalced by a baseball-style cap in 1980.

Some basic historical information on the school cap is definitely needed. Perhaps one of our British friends will provide some information on the actual origins od the school cap. Despite the fact they are no longer widely worn, there is still considerable interest in England on the venerable school cap.

Origins

I'm not sure about the origins of the school cap. It almost certainly is English. Although I do not know who designed it. It has a somewhat military look about it, and the origins as do many boys' styles mat lie with the military or at least have been inspired by military uniforms. It may well have been fuirst introduced at a school.

Chronology

I also do not have details about when the schoolmcap first appeared. I do not believe I have noticed them until after the turn of the century in the 1860s. They were were definitely being worn by the 1870s and fairly common by the 1880s. Virtually every English school boy was wearing them by the 1890s.

Sports Association

Rhe school cap is associated with games (sports). In fact it is stillmworn by cricket players at schools where caps have long since been discarded. Professional cricket players also continue to wear them. They may have originated as a part of a cricket uniform, but that is a guess on my part. More likely perhaps was they were schoolwear that simply was worn at cricket matches. As such, they may have been the inspiration for the american baseball cap.

Cub Caps

The school cap certainly were the inspiration for the greem Cub scout cap that appeared in the late 1910s. At the time, school caps were still almost universally worn by English school boys. The same green cap with yellow piping was soon adopted by Cubs around the world. Thetraditional Cub cap continued to be worn by English Cubs until the 1990s. American Scouts were later to introduce a Cub program, but eventuallybdid so in the 1930s. American Cubs adopted a British style cap, but a blue version. It was commonly worn until repalced by a baseball-style cap in 1980.

Created: June 5, 1999
Last updated: June 5, 1999