Greek Fisherman’s Cap

donovan john lennon cap

Trendy cap originating from Greece

The Greek Fisherman’s Cap was originally associated with maritime vocations and situations as is still is today, as well as becoming fashionable headwear.

The Greek Fisherman’s Cap has become popular amongst the public in general, rather than staying isolated as just a fisherman’s hat. It’s often referred to as a John Lennon Cap or Hat since he started wearing them in the mid 1960s and brought them in to popular culture.

It was during the Beatles’ first tour of the United States in 1964 that John Lennon wore a black Greek Fisherman’s Cap and quickly became popularly known as a ‘John Lennon Hat’ or ‘John Lennon Cap’. A similar style of headgear had already been worn by American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan in 1962.

Others to adopt the fashion were the Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr and British folk-rock artist Donovan (shown on the cover of his album Catch the Wind). This style of hat was usually made of denim, but also made of other fabrics such as corduroy.

The hat became an early example of a unisex accessory. Female wearers include Lennon’s first wife Cynthia, Princess Anne, actresses Diana Rigg (as Emma Peel in The Avengers), and Juliet Harmer (as Georgina Jones in Adam Adamant Lives!)

The style was re-created by actress Sienna Miller in the role of 1960s socialite Edie Sedgwick in the film Factory Girl in 2007.

Other names for a Greek Fisherman’s Hat

  • John Lennon Hat
  • John Lennon Cap

Famous Greek Fisherman’s Cap wearers

  • John Lennon
  • Bob Dylan
  • Donovan
  • Cynthia Lennon
  • Princess Anne
  • Diana Rigg
  • Juliette Harmer