It Girls Are Embracing a JFK Jr Summer—This Styling Tip Will Refresh Your Look for 2026

      Occasionally, I come across a fashion trend that appears to be a fleeting phase—a moment you might easily overlook. In this case, the backwards hat trend nearly slipped by me as well. For years, I, like many Gen Zers scrolling through my TikTok For You Page, had unabashedly believed that caps were exclusively for attractive men. Think of Justin Bieber walking through LA with an unbuttoned shirt and a pizza box in hand, using his hat to keep his golden curls in check. Or Tom Holland holding a car door open for Zendaya, looking less like your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and more like the internet's ultimate gentleman. On men, the backwards cap exudes an effortlessly cool, "sex" appeal (and judging by the countless edits of Usher's "Daddy's Home," it's a look many women can't seem to resist). This summer, after noticing several of my favorite celebrity It girls embracing this styling trick, I realized it was only a matter of time before the backwards hat became a genuine trend for both men and women.

      To grasp the lasting charm of the backwards cap, we must explore its origins. Initially worn by American baseball catchers (similar to cricket wicketkeepers), they would turn their caps backward to prevent the brim from interfering with their protective masks. However, it was during the '80s and '90s, with the help of internet heartthrobs of the era, that these hats began to evolve beyond just utility.

      Stars like Brad Pitt, Tom Welling, Tupac Shakur, and prime-time Beckham made the backwards cap their signature, transforming its association from mere athleticism to one deeply tied to bad-boy charisma (far surpassing the simple act of wearing it forwards). When you don a cap backwards, there's no hiding; your face must speak for itself.

      Of course, many of the era's most beautiful women also adopted the backwards hat trend. However, I'd argue that it was the cast of Friends that solidified its cult-like fashion status. It's hard to envision American football without recalling Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green tackling Matt LeBlanc's Joey Tribbiani, complete with two pigtails and a sleek black backwards cap. This year, the trend has regained momentum following the release of FX's hit TV series, "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette," on Disney+, which introduced a younger audience to both their dramatized romance and fashion sense. While we've extensively discussed the significant influence of Carolyn Bessette's style, her partner, who frequently sported backwards Kangol flatcaps and baseball hats, also deserves recognition. With fashion imitation of the couple reaching new heights earlier this year and styles being less gender-normative than ever, it makes perfect sense that women are "borrowing from the boys" this summer, making the trend cooler than ever.

      Whether it's Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, or Iris Law, each of these It girls has adopted the backwards hat to add an edgier, more fashion-forward twist to even the simplest summer outfits. So, whether you're taking a cue from Kendall and using your hat to tame wet hair after a swim, or channelling Dua and pairing it with denim cut-off shorts, a long-sleeve tee, and the iconic Chanel Maxi Flap bag, it's clear that the backwards hat has firmly secured its spot in the wardrobes of the fashion elite this summer. Scroll down to shop the best hats below.

      Shop Caps You Can Wear Backwards and Forwards:

      New Era

      9forty League Camo Cap

      Ralph Lauren

      The Iconic Chino Ball Cap

      Saint Laurent

      New Era Cassandre Cap

      Ralph Lauren

      The Ralph Logo Ball Cap

      Jacquemus

      The Casco baseball cap

      Kith Women

      Crest Lost at Sea Cap

      REJINAPYO

      Golborne Road Cap

      Glossier

      You Look Good Cap

      SPORTY & RICH

      Logo-Embroidered Cotton Baseball Cap

      New Era

      Matcha Club Script 9forty Cap

      Aimé Leon Dore

      Unisphere Hat