Breton Cap

By Deane Barker • • tags: fashion, france •
John Lennon wearing a Breton Cap in 1967.

John Lennon wearing a Breton Cap in 1967.

This is a old-style cap with a flat top, a band around the bottom, and a visor. They might also be called a “fisherman’s cap,” a “mariner’s cap,” and they might remind some people of a train conductor’s cap.

I even saw a reference to a “John Lennon cap,” since he famously wore one. Vladimir Lenin was also known to wear one.

The only etymology I could find for “Breton cap” is that they were popularized by fisherman in the Brittany region of France. “Breton” is a geographic metonym for that area.

But, it’s important to note that I’ve found so many definitions for this type of cap, that “Breton” might only refer to one particular style or usage of it. Also, there is another type of head covering called a Breton Hat, which is a completely different style for women. Its etymology is similar.

Why I Looked It Up

In Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, it was mentioned that one of the characters started wearing one.

Links both to and from this – Brittany November 2, 2024
This is the extreme western region of France. It’s mostly a peninsula that extends into the Atlantic. The largest city in the region is Rennes, with about 750,000 in its metro area. (Interestingly, the two other large cities are named Vannes and Nantes, which points to some common etymology.)...
Links from this – Geographic Metonym December 28, 2021
For example, if often takes the form of a place name being used to refer to (1) a significant event that happened at that place; or (2) an organization, institution, industry, or concept associated with that place. Examples: “The White House” to refer to a presidential administration “Wall Street”...
Links from this – Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow October 29, 2024
This is a weird novel. It doesn’t fit the normal pattern of fiction where there’s a central conflict. It’s just a story that spans maybe a decade-and-a-half. There’s no major plot point to center around. It’s the story of two friends who start a video game company. They make their first game, and...