Men's Flat Caps: Newsboy, Ivy, Pub

More Than a Label

Created With Our Hatmakers in Italy

We don't simply travel to Italy to buy caps. We go there to help create them.

Twice each year, we visit the workshops behind our Belfry Italia collection, working directly with experienced cap makers on fabrics, colors, patterns, shapes, fits, and finishing details. Their generations of craftsmanship bring an understanding of cap making that can't be replicated on a specification sheet.

We bring something to the table as well: decades of experience selling hats and direct feedback from the people who wear them. We know which fits customers prefer, which materials perform best from season to season, and how traditional European cap styles can be refined for the way men dress today.

That exchange of Italian craftsmanship and Belfry customer insight is what shapes the collection.

The result is a selection of flat caps developed together, crafted in Italy, and exclusive to Belfry.

Discover Belfry Italia

Find Your Flat Cap

Flat cap is a broad category that includes several closely related styles. The differences often come down to the amount of fabric in the crown, the overall profile, and how the crown meets the short front brim.

Ivy Cap
The most streamlined of the traditional flat cap styles. An ivy cap has a low-profile crown that slopes cleanly toward the short front brim, creating a tailored silhouette that's easy to dress up or down.

Newsboy Cap
Recognizable by its fuller crown and paneled construction, the newsboy has more volume than an ivy cap and often features a button at the center of the crown. It's a classic choice for men who prefer a more traditional, distinctive profile.

Pub Cap
Relaxed and easy to wear, the pub cap falls within the flat-cap family and typically offers a comfortable profile with slightly more character than a slim ivy. It's an everyday style that works naturally with casual and smart-casual clothing.

How to Choose a Men's Flat Cap

Start With the Shape

Slim Profile – Ivy
Choose an ivy cap if you prefer a clean, close-fitting silhouette with minimal volume through the crown. It's one of the easiest flat caps to incorporate into a modern wardrobe.

Classic Profile – Pub
A good middle ground for someone who wants a traditional flat cap without the additional fullness of a newsboy. Its balanced proportions make it particularly versatile for everyday wear.

Full Profile – Newsboy
Choose a newsboy if you prefer more fabric, volume, and character through the crown. The fuller silhouette creates a distinctly traditional look.

Then Consider the Material

Italian Linen
Lightweight, breathable, and naturally comfortable, making linen an excellent flat-cap material for spring and summer.

Cashmere
Exceptionally soft and lightweight while providing impressive warmth for cooler weather.

Wool & Cashmere
Combines the softness of cashmere with the structure and resilience of wool for an elevated everyday cap.

Wool
A traditional flat-cap material valued for warmth, durability, texture, and versatility.

Leather
Supple leather gives the traditional flat cap a distinctive character while providing natural wind resistance and durability.

Men's Flat Cap FAQs

What is a flat cap?

A flat cap is a traditional rounded cap with a short front brim. The crown generally slopes forward toward the brim rather than having the structured crown of a baseball cap. Ivy, newsboy, driver, and similar European cap styles all belong to the broader flat-cap family.

What is the difference between an ivy cap and a flat cap?

A flat cap is the broader category, while an ivy cap is a particular style of flat cap. Ivy caps generally have a slim, streamlined crown with very little excess fabric, giving them a cleaner and more contemporary profile.

What is the difference between an ivy cap and a newsboy cap?

The biggest difference is the crown. An ivy cap has a slim, low-profile crown, while a newsboy cap uses more fabric and typically has a fuller, paneled construction. Both have short front brims, but they create noticeably different silhouettes when worn.

What is a pub cap?

Pub cap is a term used for a casual variation within the broader flat-cap family. Exact terminology can differ among hatmakers, so the shape and fit of the individual cap are ultimately more important than the name. At Belfry, we use it to identify an easy-wearing traditional cap with a balanced profile between slimmer and fuller styles.

Are flat caps still in style?

Yes. Flat caps have endured because their simple proportions work with a wide range of clothing. Today's versions can be worn with everything from denim, polos, and sweaters to sport coats and outerwear, with the material and pattern determining how casual or refined the cap appears.

What are the best flat caps for summer?

Linen and other lightweight, breathable fabrics are excellent choices for warm weather. Italian linen is particularly well suited to flat caps because it combines breathability and light weight with the texture and character of a natural fiber.

What are the best flat caps for fall and winter?

Wool, cashmere, wool-cashmere blends, and leather are excellent cool-weather materials. Wool provides warmth and structure, while cashmere adds exceptional softness and warmth without unnecessary weight.

How should a flat cap fit?

A flat cap should sit comfortably and securely around the head without squeezing or creating excessive pressure. The cap should remain in place during normal movement while allowing the crown to maintain its intended shape.

How should a man wear a flat cap?

A flat cap is traditionally worn with the brim facing forward and the crown sitting naturally over the head. Avoid pulling it too far down or forcing the crown into a shape it wasn't designed to have. The goal should be a comfortable, natural fit rather than an overly styled appearance.

Which flat cap style should I choose?

Start with the silhouette you prefer. Choose an ivy cap for a slim, streamlined profile, a pub cap for a balanced everyday shape, or a newsboy cap for a fuller, more traditional look. From there, select the material according to the season and how you plan to wear it.

Explore Flat Caps by Material

Italian Linen Flat Caps
Lightweight, breathable caps made for warm-weather comfort.

100% Cashmere Flat Caps
Exceptionally soft, lightweight, and warm.

Wool & Cashmere Flat Caps
Cashmere softness combined with the structure and resilience of wool.

Wool Flat Caps
Classic cool-weather caps in a range of textures, patterns, and weights.

Leather Flat Caps
Supple leather combined with a timeless European-inspired silhouette.

The Belfry Difference

Superior Materials. Master Craftsmanship. Inspired Design. Streamlined Pricing.

For more than four decades, we've specialized in hats. Today, we take that experience directly to the source, working with accomplished hatmakers in Italy, Ecuador, and the United States to build a collection around what matters most: exceptional materials, skilled craftsmanship, distinctive design, and lasting value.

Easy Returns | 1-Year Belfry Guarantee | 5-Star Service