The history of the Peaky Blinders cap

A lethal weapon that came out of nowhere. Hidden in the brims of their Peaky Blinder Caps were blades, sewn into the rigid peak edge! With one strike of the cap the aggressor could take out their unsuspecting victim.

A notorious gang in Birmingham, went by the name ’Peaky Blinders’, from local slang at the time, a ‘Blinder’ was someone who looks particularly smart. This underworld group were driven by poverty to pick pocket and steal. A lack of work made young men idle; crime became away of life. This gang built up their reputation to become notorious criminals that dominated the area.

The antics of the gang were captured in a fiction base historic tale. With some truths from the past, the ‘Peaky Blinders’ was written in a screenplay. Adapted for a television series with gang activity, violence and a mounting wealth all added to their credibility. The gang wore sharp suits, impeccable coats with amazing caps. This look was favoured by members of the ‘Peaky Blinder’ gang. The caps continued to be used to create havoc in their fights.

The Peaky Blinder cap was modelled on the Baker Boy cap. Made with quality wool, this cap is an eight section crown linked to a band with a rigid peak. This design continues to be popular. Made with natural fibres of wool and incorporating linens and silk even more exotic caps are made. But contrary to thier history, there are no blades in the peak now!

This eight section crown was a descendant of the flat cap worn in Victorian times. As the Peaky Blinder cap became more popular it was known as ‘Golf Cap’ for a short time, later it became ubiquitous with driving a new sports cars. Taken on as an iconic style for the Cheltenham Races, in the early 20th Century the Peaky Blinders cap gave the wearer a ‘sharp’ image.

Today, the Peaky Blinder cap is a popular choice for men and women. The cap gives the wearer height on the crown, a versatile peak and an opportunity to move the cap around the head. It continues to be made of quality tweed and wool fabrics. Other materials are also used to add drama to a well known and loved cap.