We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Newsboy Cap?

By G. Melanson
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,671
Share

Also known as a “pageboy cap,” a newsboy cap is a hat that features a slouchy, full design with a button on top and a structured front brim. Some styles of newsboy caps may also display an additional button and flap above the brim of the hat, or a sleeker, flatter design. The newsboy cap was first popularized by “Newsies,” who were child laborers that sold newspapers in the US and Europe during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the newsboy cap is a unisex, casual-wear fashion accessory that comes in a wide variety of colors and fabrics. Newsboy caps are most commonly sold in earth tones and patterns such as plaid, pinstripes, herringbone, and gingham, and fashioned from such fabrics as wool, tweed, corduroy, and leather.

The newsboy cap is known for its versatility as well as its popularity with several celebrities. Pop star Britney Spears is sometimes credited as being one of the first stars to usher in the newsboy cap comeback of the early 2000s, when she was often seen sporting the style in pink leather, sequins, and other eye-catching combinations. Other members of young Hollywood soon followed suit, and today the newsboy cap adorns the heads of such A-list stars as Justin Timberlake, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham, Ashton Kutcher, Gwen Stefani, and Taylor Swift. In 2007, actor, Brad Pitt began wearing newsboy caps on a regular basis as part of his “Make it Right” charity, which endeavors to help re-build New Orleans. Pitt auctions the hats from his own personal collection and then donates the proceeds toward building homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The newsboy cap is often worn with other casual accessories such as scarves and sunglasses. As a casual-wear item, the cap best complements a relaxed outfit, including such garments as distressed jeans, t-shirts, oversized sweaters, and vests. Although the newsboy cap can serve as a warm winter accessory when fashioned from wool and other heavy fabrics, it’s occasionally worn indoors and in warm climates purely as a fashion statement. The newsboy cap projects an image of someone who is fashionable, fun, and on-the-go, and is carried by such popular retailers as American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, Old Navy, and Gap. Oregon-based hat company Hat People fashions a line of the caps from Pendleton Wool, which makes them water, soil, and even fire-resistant.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Rotergirl — On Apr 30, 2014

The newsboy cap is OK, I guess, but it doesn't age well. An older person (a woman, especially) just looks a little odd wearing the newsboy. They just don't fit older people.

By Pippinwhite — On Apr 29, 2014

Britney Spears? Really? Well, maybe she did wear a newsboy cap. I wouldn't really know. I know they got really oversized, as if that would make them somehow more fashionable.

I liked the original newsboy cap, since it's one of the few varieties of headgear that looks good on me.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-newsboy-cap.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.