Wearing a Hat Backwards? – Learn About the Trend

Remember middle school or Jr. high? Seems like there was a person in every gang who always wore a cap backwards. Some people think wearing a baseball cap backwards is dorky and good for nothing, we leave that up to you. The “backward hat community” sees plenty of benefits like hiding their back of the neck from too much sun exposure, not obscuring their vision with hat the bill or preventing their hat from flying off while running, skating, biking or driving! But is wearing a hat backwards really an up-to-date look? Let’s check out!

Who Was the First Person to Wear a Hat Backwards?

No one knows who was actually the first person to wear their cap backwards. For us, the trend really started in the early ’90s with the baseball player Ken Griffey JR, who captured many of his fan’s hearts with his childhood habit of wearing a cap backwards. Ken Griffey JR mentioned that he used to wear his dad’s hats, but because they are larger than his head size, they would fall. So, he started wearing his hat backwards, which kept the hat in place. At that time, he wouldn’t have guessed that it would become his signature look and capture a huge fan base.

While some sources have a conflicting version of history, most sources agree that wearing the baseball cap backwards was initiated and exploded into the trend by Ken Griffey JR. His incredible record of playing 22 years in the Major League Baseball Association and being the seventh, most productive home run hitter made his fans follow the Ken Griffey Jr backwards hat style!

How and When Wearing Baseball Cap Backwards Trend  Start?

Do you remember the scene where  Sylvester Stallone in the movie “Over the Top” would turn his cap, like a switch and suddenly blow the competition away in the arm wrestling match?” You might have think about this every time you turn your cap backwards at the gym.

Next, Will Smith, in the 90s, made his part of his cool, rebellious look wearing a hat backwards in the show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” And through the decade, rappers like Jay Z, MR Tupac Shakur,  Fred Burst in Limp Bizkit rocked the backward hat in the musical world. In early 2010, Justin Bieber stepped inside with a backward hat and made people think it looks cute on younger boys and not recommended for older guys.  

Also, the “people’s president,” Barack Obama, aged 55 proved himself again as the coolest president wearing his dad hat backwards on vacation and living his life, not bothering about anything!

How to Wear a Hat Backwards

Wearing a hat backwards can easily make you look outdated if you don’t wear them in the right way. Here are some tips on how you can look cool by wearing a hat backwards.

1. Style Your Hair

• Love the look of side-swept bangs? Combing your band into a side-sweep looks trendier when you wear a cap. Comb your hair when wet, and do not put on your cap before your hair dries. Usually, you don’t need a holding gel or hairspray; simply throw on your cap.
• If you don’t have long enough bangs? Make sure your hair is well combed and you’re not putting your hair into the closure gap on the front, which will look untidy.

2. Wear at the Right Angle

Don’t pull the brim down too far or leave it too high. Keep it in the middle. Ensure you wear the cap a little high on the head with the brim backwards, not too slanting to touch the neck.

3. Pair up with Casual Wear

If you wear a printed cap, always go for muted or neutral-tone T-shirts. With a plain cap, you can go for printed and graphic t-shirts. Being casual is the new cool!  Go for casual outfits with modern designs which project a laidback look with a carefree vibe.

Type of Hat to Wear Backwards According to Your Face Shape

The most suitable caps to wear a hat backwards are dad hats, snapback caps, and 5-panel caps.

One of the main factors people should consider when wearing their hat backwards is their head size and face shape.

If you have a smaller head size or face shape, dad hats with their soft unstructured form give an appealing and complete look rather than dome-shaped, structured caps. 5-panel caps are also very popular among cyclists wh wear them backwards for better visibility and prevent them from blowing off.

If you have a bigger head size or face shape, you can go with snapback hats. They are more convenient to wear, and their snapping straps cause less discomfort on your forehead.

Can Girls Wear a Baseball Hat Backwards?

It doesn’t matter if you have long hair or short hair; you can wear a cap backwards. A snapback hat, dad hat, or a women’s 5-panel cap gives a chic look when you wear the cap with the brim facing backwards and a little downwards. There’s no need to tie up your hair. Let it free on the sides and back. Don’t worry; the hat will have the right fit when worn backwards. It will keep your hair strands away from the eyes without compromising your style factor.

You can pair them up with denim jackets, graphic t-shirts, crop tops, solid-colored t-shirts, tank tops, leather bomber jackets, crewneck sweaters, etc. Get a little experimental when choosing your footwear. A pair of white sneakers or ankle boots will complement your look.

Why Do People Wear Baseball Caps Backwards?

While some people say there is nothing practical about wearing a hat backwards, there are plenty of reasons why the “backward hat community” likes to wear their hat backwards!

1. Even though it may seem disrespectful to some, many love to wear a hat backwards for their instant laid-back and relaxed look.
2. Sometimes hats can have a weird shape or extra space on the top and don’t fit heads properly. Wearing a hat backwards, easily gives a good fit when compared to wearing it forwards.
3. Shadow from the brim makes the wearer less approachable. Wearing them backwards makes their face look more obvious and reveals their identity.
4. Wearing a hat backwards provides shade to the back of the neck against the scorching sun’s rays and prevents sunburn. Yes, just like how the brim protects the face when faced forward. Additionally, it doesn’t cause a tan line at the bottom of your face as a forward-facing hat does.
5. They fit snugly on their head during cycling, skateboarding, or driving, preventing the hat from catching too much wind and falling off.
6. Mechanics, carpenters, skaters, and cyclists wear a hat backwards to provide better visibility; their view is not blocked by the cap’s visor.
7. Wearing a cap backwards keeps your hair out of the way and can secure unruly hair or long bangs in place. Also, it can cover up a bad hair day or receding hairline in the blink of an eye!
8. Some people believe that wearing a hat backwards makes them look younger!
9. Wearing a hat backwards enables you to wear any other mask or helmet as well as a cap. For, e.g.,  a welding mask or catcher’s mask
10. You can show off your love and interest towards Ken Griffey Jr, Will Smith, or hip-hop artists by wearing a cap backwards.
11. Some people simply like the look when wearing a hat backwards and project a carefree look showing they don’t care about what others think!

Should You Wear a Baseball Hat Backwards?

If you feel like you look best in a hat worn backwards or you’re in a situation to wear a cap backwards for better visibility, or windy conditions, it’s okay to live your life the way you like as long as you follow the hat etiquette in important places like church, court and indoors.

People love expressing themselves through accessories, and that’s why they are a major part of human culture. In the world of ripped jeans, piercing earrings, tattooing, wearing a cap backwards is a popular fashion too.

Is It Disrespectful to Wear a Hat Backwards?

It can be, if you wear a baseball hat indoors or in an important situation without following the hat etiquette. And, wearing a hat backwards in more formal situations can make people frown. If you find yourself in a situation in front of your grandparents, teachers, or boss, it may not be a good idea to wear a baseball cap backwards. Removing your baseball cap in appropriate situations shows respect rather than being labeled as rude.

Final Thoughts

People around us always find a different style to look cool in their own way. Be it ripped jeans, earrings, wristbands, tank tops, or anything; everyone is creating unlimited amounts of styles to express ourselves. And hat is no exception! In fact, they can be a timeless style element to complete your outfit and make you look fashion-forward.

Wearing a hat backwards might make people frown when you’re in a more formal situation. So, keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to take off your baseball cap indoors or in private spaces. In the end, it’s all about how you’re wearing a hat backwards, without forgetting confidence is the main key!