Weekly Style Highlight: Reinvention of the Baker Boy Cap by Princess of Wales
Head's Up: The Fashion Weekly Edition
Diving into the world of style with a mix of classics and contemporary twists, welcome to our regular series, The Fashion Weekly.
Recently, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, gave a nod to the ongoing Y2K fashion revival during her countryside trip, rocking Ugg boots and dresses over pants - and she's not done there! In a palace-released film, she sported a puffy, dark green baker boy hat during a Scouts outing in England's Lake District last month. This trendy headgear was all the rage in the '90s and early '00s, with icons like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and Anne Hathaway donning their own versions back in the day.
Notably, this isn't the first time the Princess has flaunted the nostalgic baker boy hat. It seems she has a penchant for this noughties look, particularly during her Scouts visits. Way back in 2013, the then-Duchess of Cambridge stepped out with a similar style to join the youth organization for a volunteer training day.
Hailing from humble beginnings in 1571, these caps were initially prescribed by England's parliament for working-class men as a Sunday and holiday attire[1]. Over time, the baker boy hat became synonymous with the newsboy cap, best known for being worn by children working at newsstands[2]. Despite its name, these hats were popular among various professions, including dockworkers, shipwrights, and even bandits[2].
Critics have voiced mixed opinions on the Princess' choice of headgear, with Vogue branding it "divisive" and Elle Australia referring to it as a "Dickensian fashion moment." However, she's joined by fellow style icons like Kendall Jenner and Anne Hathaway, who have been spotted donning the cap in recent times[3].
The Princess' choice of outfit hasn't just been confined to her head. She also appeared to reuse the exact jacket she wore in the controversial family photo, amid health rumors following her abdominal surgery last year. In this latest video, she paired her green bomber jacket with a cozy camel-knit sweater and a classic pair of skinny jeans[4].
Accompanied by a group of Scouts aged between 10 and 15 near the shores of Lake Windermere, the Princess expressed her deep connection to nature. “I find it a very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection,” she said, describing her bond with nature[4].
The baker boy hat has continually captured our fashion hearts with its adaptability and classic style. From workwear to haute couture, this iconic hat continues to thrive in the realm of contemporary fashion.
- The Duchess of Cambridge, also known as Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has embraced the Y2K fashion revival, dressing in Ugg boots and dresses over pants, and recently sporting a puffy, dark green baker boy hat.
- Baker boy hats, which originated in 1571, were initially used as Sunday and holiday attire for working-class men in England, but have since evolved to become synonymous with various professions and modern fashion trends.
- The Princess has shown a fondness for the noughties look, previously wearing a similar hat in 2013 and again during a Scouts outing last month, joining fellow style icons like Kendall Jenner and Anne Hathaway in donning the iconic cap.
- Critics have expressed mixed opinions on the Princess' choice of headgear, with Vogue describing it as "divisive" and Elle Australia referring to it as a "Dickensian fashion moment," yet she remains joined by other celebrities who have been spotted wearing the cap in recent times.
- The Princess' outfit choices extend beyond her head, as she recently reused a jacket from a controversial family photo, pairing it with a cozy camel-knit sweater, classic skinny jeans, and, of course, a baker boy hat.
- The baker boy hat continues to captivate the fashion-and-beauty and entertainment industry, proving its adaptability and timeless style in contemporary fashion, from workwear to haute couture, and within the realm of pop-culture, influenced by celebrities and lifestyle choices.
