Can You Wear a Herringbone Hunting Cap Now? Getting Ready for Autumn in Cotton
When you hear "herringbone," many of you may picture a fabric that still feels a little way off, like an autumn/winter wool jacket. The hunting cap shape, too, tends to come with worries such as "Isn't it too old-fashioned?" or "Won't I look like an old man?" It is now past mid-August: the sun is still strong, but a hint of autumn is starting to mix into the breeze. Why not gently undo both of those assumptions with one original hat? There is no need to force yourself ahead of the season. A cotton herringbone fits in with today's weather and can stay with you into autumn and on into winter.
QUICK ANSWER
The material is cotton, so you can wear it year-round, starting from the end of high summer. The balance of a rounded crown and a smallish brim softens the "affected" impression typical of hunting caps. It is easy to pair with a vintage-style shirt or a modern jacket look, making it an easy hat to handle even for those trying a hunting cap for the first time.
First, here is the hat we want to feature this time, along with companions worth looking at alongside it. Differences in material and weave change the look, so try comparing them, even just from the photos.
![Herringbone hunting cap [WS-50167]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0699/2229/1778/files/wj-139.jpg?v=1788330959)
Herringbone Hunting Cap
WS-50167
A hunting cap with a refined herringbone (cedar-twill) pattern. The material is cotton, so despite its autumn/winter look, it feels light to wear. Its rounded silhouette softens the affected impression that hunting caps can tend to have.
- Shirt
- Jacket
¥4,950 (tax incl.)
*Please check the product page for price and stock.
![Cotton hunting cap [WS-50162]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0699/2229/1778/files/wj-140.jpg?v=1788330960)
Cotton Hunting Cap
WS-50162
A hunting cap in cotton fabric. With a more understated look than herringbone, it is easy to pair with both shirts and knits, and has a balance that makes it an easy choice for a first hat.
- Shirt
- Knitwear
¥4,950 (tax incl.)
*Please check the product page for price and stock.
![Cotton twill hunting cap [WS-50149]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0699/2229/1778/files/wj-141.jpg?v=1788330960)
Cotton Twill Hunting Cap
WS-50149
A hunting cap in twill fabric with a diagonal weave. It has a more relaxed look than herringbone and goes well with everyday styles such as denim and sweatshirts.
- Denim
- Sweatshirt
¥4,950 (tax incl.)
*Please check the product page for price and stock.
![Herringbone casquette [WS-50181]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0699/2229/1778/files/wj-142.jpg?v=1788330960)
Herringbone Casquette
WS-50181
A casquette that combines denim with herringbone cotton. With a rounder, flatter silhouette than a hunting cap, it also suits those who want to start getting ready for autumn in an easy way.
- Denim
- Outerwear
¥4,950 (tax incl.)
*Please check the product page for price and stock.
01
FEATURES
3 features of this hat
What is a herringbone weave?
Herringbone is a weave known in Japanese as "sugi-aya-ori" (cedar twill). The diagonal lines of the weave alternate direction, and it gets its name because the pattern looks like the bones of a fish. Because the shading comes from the weave itself rather than a printed pattern, it has more character than a plain fabric without being too loud. It is often made in wool, which gives it a strong winter image, but the weave itself is not tied to any season, and in cotton it becomes a light hat.
A rounded shape and a soft silhouette
One reason hunting caps can seem "affected" often lies in a stiff silhouette. An angular, straight-lined shape certainly strengthens a formal impression. For this hat, we gave the crown that wraps the head a rounded form and designed the brim so it is not too large. The softer outline brings it closer to an everyday hat rather than something stiff and formal.
How it feels to wear, and the comfort of cotton
We chose cotton for the fabric because we wanted to separate the autumn/winter look from how it actually feels to wear. Without the thickness of wool, it is less likely to feel tight around the head, and it is a material that is less bothersome even when you sweat. Wear it deeper for a sharper look, or set it shallow for a lighter feel. The impression changes with how you wear it, so adjust it to suit your mood on the day.
02
DESIGN STORY
The background and thinking behind the design
Some people may feel a little wary when they hear "a herringbone hunting cap." That is exactly why, from the fabric selection stage, we chose cotton rather than wool and used an original shape. While keeping the classic pattern as it is, we aim for a hat you reach for regardless of season or occasion.
Put simply
The image of "hunting cap = a classic, grown-up shape" is not wrong in itself. But whether that turns into "looking affected" depends on the fabric and the silhouette. Just by adding lightness with cotton and giving the shape some roundness, as with this hat, the same hunting cap comes much closer to everyday wear. Before you get nervous about patterns or shapes, you can also choose by starting from the material.
03
STYLING
Clothes to pair it with, and styling
As style tags, words like classic, refined, British and grown-up suit this hat. That said, these are not rules saying "you must dress like this," but rather clues for finding a balance that feels comfortable.
- With a white shirt, the shading of the herringbone adds just the right amount of character around your face. It looks neat while leaning toward a relaxed mood.
- Added to a jacket look, it deepens the British feel. For a grown-up weekend outfit that is not too stiff.
- Paired with denim or a sweatshirt, the gap between a classic hat and relaxed clothes naturally takes you away from the so-called "old man" look.
If you like vintage or secondhand clothing, you can also enjoy deliberately playing up the British elements. On the other hand, simply adding it to your usual sweatshirt works perfectly well, so first just pick one up without overthinking it.
04
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is it all right to wear a herringbone hunting cap during this still-hot time of year?
The material is cotton. Without the thickness of wool, you can wear it comfortably from the end of high summer into autumn and on into winter. The impression of the pattern may make it feel too far ahead of the season, but it actually feels light to wear.
I'm worried that a hunting cap will make me look like an old man.
It is true that this worry comes up more easily with a hunting cap that has a stiff, angular silhouette. This hat has a rounded shape, which softens the impression. Pair it with relaxed clothes such as denim or a sweatshirt, and the gap with the classic hat creates a look that is not too stiff.
I can't tell the fit from the photos alone. Can I try it on?
You can try it on at our own store in Kawaramachi, Kyoto, 京都の帽子屋 Fab (Kyoto no Boushiya Fab). You can pick up and compare more than 200 kinds of hats, so if you are unsure about fit or silhouette, please come and check in the store.
If you're interested, first check the texture and size chart on the product page. Stock varies by color, so it is reassuring to check when something catches your eye. If you'd like to choose alongside other hats, you can also browse the ONLINE SHOP.
TRY IT ON
You can try hats on in Kawaramachi, Kyoto. The fit and silhouette, which are hard to judge from photos alone, can be checked by actually trying hats on in the store.
05
MORE FROM JOURNAL
Related reading
- For Those Who Feel Hunting Caps Don't Suit Them | How to Choose and Wear One Without Going Wrong
- What Is a Cas-Hunting Cap? A Thorough Guide to How It Differs from a Hunting Cap and Who It Suits
- [Behind the Design] How Our Cotton Twill Hunting Cap with Side Belts Came to Be | Wearing Classic Refinement
