A little story about flat caps, Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales & Peaky Blinders. Know why woollen flat caps are so popular? Their story goes back almost 500 years. In order to protect the wool trade, a law was passed in 1571 that all non-noble men and boys over 6 should wear a wool cap on Sundays and public holidays. They were fined if they didn’t. By the time the law was repealed in the 1590s, the tradition had stuck. It continued through the centuries, especially in colder areas with easy access to wool and tweed – hence its Northern English associations.
At various times tweed caps have enjoyed a fashion-boost, such as thanks to Burberry’s. The real life Peaky Blinders wore baker boy and flat caps as part of their smart dress, sometimes hiding razor blades in their hats.
Nowadays you’re guaranteed to see well-worn flat caps on heads anywhere that farmers gather. Practical and long-lasting, you can see why Yorkshire-men favour them!
Here in the Yorkshire Dales, family-owned Glencroft, based in a cow shed in beautiful Clapham are still producing timeless ‘proper’ clothing. They recently created their most sustainable flat cap yet: the 'Norber' named after the unusual limestone formations in the Dales. It’s made with locally sourced British wool tweed, woven in a traditional mill by Saddleworth Moor.
Given how little farmers are now paid for their wool, I imagine a few would be in favour of bringing back the law that had such an enduring impact on British fashion and Northern stereotypes?!