The Peaky Blinders Flat Cap Guide: History, Style & How to Wear One

The Peaky Blinders Flat Cap Guide: History, Style & How to Wear One

The Peaky Blinders have done more to revive the flat cap than any fashion house or celebrity endorsement. Since the BBC series first aired in 2013, searches for peaky blinders fashion have surged, and the flat cap has gone from a working-class staple to a genuine style statement. This guide covers everything you need to know about the caps worn in the show, the real history behind them, and how to wear one yourself.

What Type of Cap Do the Peaky Blinders Wear?

The caps worn in the show are a mix of flat caps, which are also called baker boy caps or newsboy caps depending on the panel construction. If you are wondering what hat does tommy shelby wear, he primarily wears a classic eight-panel newsboy caps, which is also known as a baker boy cap. He does not wear a traditional single-panel flat cap.

Did tommy shelby wear a flat cap or newsboy cap? To clarify the distinction, a flat cap has a single piece of fabric on top and a small stiff brim. Conversely, a newsboy or baker boy caps has a fuller, rounder crown made from multiple panels, typically eight, with a button on top.

Are peaky blinders hats the same as flat caps? Stephanie Collie, the original costume designer, based Tommy's look on real criminal mug shots from the period. She chose the newsboy cap as authentic working-class headwear of 1890s Birmingham. Other characters wear different styles. Arthur Shelby wears a flatter, more traditional cap, and John wore a peaked style. So what is a peaky blinders cap called? It is predominantly the newsboy or baker boy cap. The History of the Peaky Blinders and Their Caps

The real Peaky Blinders were a street gang in Birmingham from the late 1880s through the 1910s. Why is it called a peaky blinder? The name most likely comes from the peaked caps they wore. "Peaky" refers to the peaked brim, and "blinder" is Birmingham slang for someone who looked particularly stylish or striking, possessing a "blinding" look. Therefore, the peaky blinders hat meaning is directly tied to their sharp appearance.

Regarding flat cap history, it has roots in 14th-century northern England. It gained prominence through the 1571 Statute of Caps, which required non-noble males over six years old to wear a wool cap on Sundays. By the 19th century, flat caps had become the defining accessory of the British working class. Factory workers, miners, farmers, and indeed gang members all wore them.

The real Peaky Blinders would have worn simpler, cruder caps than the tailored newsboy styles shown in the TV series, which reflects a slightly later fashion period. In the 20th century, the flat cap transcended class, and everyone from the Prince of Wales to coalminers wore one.

Shop the Carlyle Newsboy Cap HAT-610 (above)

Did the Peaky Blinders Really Have Razor Blades in Their Caps?

Many viewers ask, did peaky blinders really have razor blades in their caps? The short answer is almost certainly not. This is a popular myth, but there is very little historical evidence to support it.

Disposable razor blades were not available in Britain until at least 1905, when Gillette opened its first London sales office, and were not widely sold in the UK until around 1910. By this time, the Peaky Blinders gang had already declined. The "peak" in their name refers to the peaked brim of their caps, not hidden razors. The legend of the peaky blinders razor blade cap is simply not historically accurate.

Professor Carl Chinn, a Birmingham historian, has stated there is no credible evidence the gang stitched razor blades into their caps. The myth likely grew through oral tradition and was further cemented by the TV series, which uses it as a dramatic device. The real weapons the gang used included heavy belt buckles, metal-tipped boots, coshes, knives, and broken bricks, not razor-lined hats.

The razor blade myth makes for brilliant television, but the real Peaky Blinders earned their name from their sharp-peaked caps, not concealed weaponry.
 

Shop the Carlyle Tweed Newsboy Cap (above)

How to Wear a Flat Cap Peaky Blinders Style

Tommy Shelby's look is specific. The cap sits slightly forward on the head, angled to one side, with the brim low over the brow. It is never pushed back casually.

If you want to master how to wear peaky blinders cap styles, follow these steps:

• Choose the right cap. A newsboy or baker boy cap in tweed or herringbone is the most authentic Peaky Blinders choice. Look for an eight-panel construction with a button on top.

• Get the fit right. The cap should sit snugly but not tightly. It should rest just above the ears and sit low on the forehead, roughly two finger-widths above the eyebrows.

• Angle it correctly. The Shelby look has the cap pulled slightly forward and tilted very slightly to one side. Never push it back on your head.

• Pair it properly. Tommy Shelby wears his cap with a three-piece tweed suit, a collarless grandad shirt, and a heavy overcoat. For a modern take on how to wear a flat cap, pair it with a dark overcoat, tailored trousers, and boots.

• Own the look. Confidence is half the outfit. The Peaky Blinders wore their caps as a statement of identity, so you should wear yours the same way.

When choosing materials, tweed caps are the most authentic choice. Avoid synthetic materials and opt for herringbone flat caps or Donegal tweed caps. Earthy tones like greys, charcoals, browns, and greens are the most authentic. The show primarily features grey and charcoal caps. For an exceptionally premium finish, Harris tweed flat caps are highly recommended.

Is the Peaky Blinders Flat Cap Still in Style?

Are flat caps in style today? The flat cap has never truly gone out of style, as it has simply moved between social classes and contexts over the centuries. Because of the Peaky Blinders effect, flat cap sales have surged repeatedly since the show premiered. Retailers report significant uplifts after each series.

In 2026, the flat cap occupies a comfortable space in menswear. It works with both smart and casual outfits, and is worn by everyone from David Beckham to farmers' market regulars. The key to keeping it current is to avoid costume territory. A newsboy cap with a full three-piece tweed suit is a costume. A newsboy cap with a navy overcoat and jeans is a modern outfit.

The flat cap is particularly relevant in the current trend towards heritage, craftsmanship, and quiet luxury, since a well-made tweed cap signals taste without shouting. Additionally, women have embraced the baker boy cap as a fashion staple, making women's flat caps a popular choice today.

Types of Flat Caps

If you are comparing a flat cap vs newsboy cap, it is helpful to know the different types of flat caps available.

• Flat cap (ivy cap): Single-panel crown, low profile, stiff short brim.

• Newsboy cap (baker boy cap): Multi-panel crown of 6 or 8 panels, fuller shape, button on top.

• Gatsby cap: Similar to newsboy but often slightly shorter in the crown.

• Driving cap: A streamlined flat cap, often in leather or waxed cotton.

• Irish caps: Traditional wool or tweed flat cap, often associated with Donegal tweed.

Our bestselling flat caps combine authentic heritage craftsmanship with timeless style. Here are four of our most popular styles, trusted by customers who appreciate quality and tradition:

• Classic Tweed Flat Cap – The foundation of any heritage wardrobe. Crafted from premium tweed in earthy tones, this eight-panel newsboy cap delivers the authentic Peaky Blinders aesthetic with a modern edge. Perfect for both formal occasions and everyday wear.
• Herringbone Tweed Newsboy Cap – A step up in visual interest, the herringbone weave adds texture and sophistication. Available in grey and charcoal, this cap pairs beautifully with overcoats and tailored trousers, making it ideal for those seeking a refined look.
• Donegal Tweed Baker Boy Cap – For the discerning collector, Donegal tweed brings distinctive flecks and character to every wear. This premium option signals genuine craftsmanship and works equally well with heritage suiting or contemporary casual outfits.

Each cap is designed to sit correctly on the head—low on the forehead, snug at the ears—and to maintain its shape through years of wear. Whether you're channelling Tommy Shelby or simply embracing the quiet luxury of heritage accessories, these bestsellers represent the best of what flat cap tradition has to offer.