With a huge variety of different caps and hats on the market, one style of cap in particular never seems to go out of fashion, and that’s the trucker cap. Often seen as a bit of a retro cap style, the trucker cap has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. They’ve been worn by celebrities, sports stars and social media influencers alike, and now it seems like everyone wants a trucker cap of their own.
But you might be wondering, ‘What is a trucker cap anyway?’ and ‘Why are trucker caps so popular?’. That’s why in this article, we’ll answer those questions and more so that you can decide if you’d like to join the trucker cap trend!
What are trucker caps anyway?
You can’t pop any old cap on a trucker and call it a trucker cap. Trucker caps have their own distinct style and shape. Often confused with baseball caps, trucker caps are a type of cap that features a distinctive brim or bill.
You’ll be able to recognise a trucker cap because it typically has a taller and straight front surface, usually made from cotton. A trucker cap is usually taller than other types of caps too.
Trucker caps also feature snapback closures at the rear of the cap, so you can adjust it for the perfect fit.
Another key difference between trucker caps and other styles of caps is the mesh used at the back of the cap. This helps to keep the hat breathable and cool while you wear it. Other caps typically feature the same material all over the cap, which can make your head hotter and sweatier on warm days.
History of the humble trucker cap
So who invented the trucker cap anyway? The trucker cap first emerged back in the 1970s, and believe it or not, its initial purpose wasn’t to protect your face from the sun. In fact, it was first launched as a marketing tool, when companies such as Mountain Dew, Dekalb, Budweiser and Shell oil gave the trucker caps out at truck stops as a way of promoting their products.
The trucker caps were mostly given away to rural businesses such as farming and feed stores and also given to truck drivers and farmers. With growing popularity amongst people living in rural areas, as well as with truck drivers, the term trucker cap was born.
In the early 2000s, trucker caps became much more popular in mainstream culture. They were worn predominantly by suburban American teens involved in the hip hop, skater, and pop-punk scenes. Celebrities also jumped on the trend, Ashton Kutcher and Pharrell Williams in particular were known to wear trucker caps often.
Benefits of wearing a trucker cap
Nowadays, almost anyone can don a trucker cap, their use isn’t just limited to truck drivers! This famous cousin of the baseball cap has numerous benefits to offer the wearer.
As mentioned previously, the great thing about trucker caps is their snapback closure feature, meaning that you can achieve the perfect fit on your head every time. The breathability of trucker caps is second to none, making them a popular choice for runners, hikers, or those who like to exercise outdoors.
Then there’s the large straight front of the trucker cap, which provides valuable real estate for logos, slogans, quotes and anything else that helps the wearer to express their personality through their apparel. With so many different styles, colours and graphics to choose from, there’s a trucker cap out there to suit almost anyone.
Why is everyone suddenly wearing trucker caps?
It’s no secret that fashion is cyclical, and every few years clothing items and apparel that were daggy one year suddenly become cool again. And it seems as though trucker caps are back in fashion again! Generation Z in particular have fallen in love with the fashion trends of the early 2000s, inspired by former IT celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Justin Timberlake (who loves wearing trucker caps!).
This resurgence in popularity has led to growing demand for trucker caps, with online searches increasing in recent years. With more and more fashion stores stocking low-rise jeans and baby tees, it was only natural for trucker caps to follow!
Choose GFour for your next trucker cap
If you're looking to uplevel your cap game, look no further than GFour. We have a huge range of trucker caps and other accessories to suit everybody. Check out our most popular collections and find the perfect trucker cap to suit your style!
- Tablelands Collection
- OCD Collection
- Punchy Collection
- Obsidian Collection
- UnstoppaBULL Collection