Style guide
The Driver Cap
Also known as: motoring cap, cabbie cap
The driver cap (or motoring cap) is a tight, low-profile cap with a short, slightly curved brim and a body that hugs the head. It was designed at the turn of the 20th century for the new sport of motoring, when cars had no roofs and a normal hat would either fly off or block the driver's vision.
History
When the first production cars hit roads in the 1900s, drivers needed headwear that stayed put at speed and didn't interfere with goggles. The driver cap — closely related to the ivy cap but cut tighter and lower — became standard kit, often paired with a long duster coat and gauntlets. It survived as the cap of choice for chauffeurs and cabbies (hence "cabbie cap") well into the 1950s, and now lives on as a city-friendly alternative to the bigger newsboy and scally.
How it's made
Driver caps are usually four to six panels with a low crown that sits closer to the skull than a scally. The brim is short and gently curved. Stretch wool, leather, suede and waxed cotton are all common — the cap is meant to grip the head, so many modern versions have an elasticated rear band.
How to wear it
Pull it down level with the brows. Because the cap sits low and tight it works under hooded jackets and helmets, and it pairs naturally with leather and outerwear. It's the most utilitarian cap in the family, so lean into that — moto jackets, peacoats, chore coats.
Where to buy a driver cap
Makers from our directory we'd send you to first for this style.
Kangol
United Kingdom
Iconic British headwear brand with an extensive scally and newsboy line.
Stetson
United States
An American heritage brand since 1865.
Boston Scally Co.
United States
Boston-born brand reviving the classic American scally cap with bold patterns.
Sterkowski
Poland
Polish hatmaker since 1926, handcrafting eight-piece caps in wool and tweed.
Common questions
- Is a driver cap the same as a flat cap?
- It's a sub-type of the flat cap family — specifically a low-profile, tight-fitting flat cap designed for motoring.
- What's the difference between a cabbie cap and a newsboy cap?
- "Cabbie cap" is sometimes used loosely for the newsboy, but historically a cabbie/driver cap is the smaller, tighter, low-crown cap — not the puffy buttoned newsboy.