A normal baseball cap flattens curls where it sits, at the crown and along the hairline, and it can dent your curl pattern for the day. A few habits reduce the effect. Caps with an opening at the back for a ponytail, bun or braid do exist, and they work best when you wear your curls up.
Does a baseball cap ruin the style of long curly hair?
It changes how the style looks while you wear it. The band presses on the curls around your head. The crown loses volume. Curls that were lifted at the roots lie flat. Take the cap off and you often see a visible line where the band sat.
If you wear your hair down, a standard cap also pushes the length forward or traps it under the back strap. Long curls can end up bunched at the neck. So the honest answer: for a day with loose, voluminous curls, a cap will change the look. For a day with a low ponytail, puff, bun or braid, a cap fits easily.
What makes the look worse, and what helps?
- Wet or damp hair: curls set under a cap while still damp take the cap's shape. Let them dry fully first.
- A tight fit: more pressure means a deeper dent. Pick a size that sits snug but not tight.
- Wearing it all day: the longer the cap stays on, the more the shape sets in. Take it off now and then and shake out the roots.
- Putting it on last: style your hair first, then place the cap gently from front to back.
- Refreshing afterwards: lift the roots with your fingers and re-scrunch if you like.
Are there special caps for long hair?
Yes. Ponytail caps have an opening at the back so a ponytail, bun or braid can pass through instead of being squashed under the band. The opening works in different ways. Some close with a magnet, some use a hook-and-loop strip, and some use crossed elastic bands with the hair going through between them. How these openings work is explained in this mechanism guide.
Some sports caps have a slightly larger gap at the back. That is usually enough for a low or mid ponytail only, so check the gap before you count on it for a high bun or thick curls.
Which hairstyles for curly hair work well under a cap?
- Low ponytail: the easiest option for any cap with a back opening.
- Messy bun or high bun: needs an opening that is wide enough and sits high enough on the cap. See caps for a bun and a messy bun.
- Braids: a single braid or two braids pass through a back opening without being pressed.
- Puff or pineapple-style top knot: works if the cap opening is placed high enough. Test it before a big day out.
Loose, voluminous curls worn fully down are the hard case for any cap. A back opening is built for a ponytail, bun or braid, so it is not a way to keep all your volume in place.
Where does Ponyloop fit?
Ponyloop is our brand, so weigh this as a maker's view. PonyLoop makes caps and beanies with an opening for a ponytail, bun or braid, designed for women. The PonyLoop Original is a cap with a magnetic closure on the back and comes in Black, Gray, Navy and White. The Vintage trucker and the Glitter cap use crossed elastic bands (CrissCross) instead. All three cost 24.99 EUR.
The caps are one size for a head circumference of 54 to 62 cm. A black foam insert is included. It makes the cap about 2 to 3 cm smaller and is meant for a head circumference under 56 cm. Measure about 1 cm above your ears. With a lot of hair gathered up, check the measurement before you order.
Delivery usually takes 1 to 3 weeks after payment, and in rare cases up to 40 days. There is no express option. If size or color does not suit you, the exchange terms apply: a voluntary one-time exchange, with no refund of the purchase price. Customers in Germany order at de.ponyloop.com. Other European countries, including Austria and Switzerland, order at eu.ponyloop.com.
How do I choose a cap if I have a lot of hair?
- Decide how you wear your hair most: low ponytail, bun, braid or down.
- Check where the opening sits and how wide it gets when your hair is in it.
- Check the size range against your head measurement.
- Look at the shipping time and the exchange terms before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Does a baseball cap ruin the style of long curly hair?
A cap mostly changes the shape of the style for the day. It flattens the crown and can leave a line at the hairline. Keeping the cap loose, wearing it on dry hair and taking it off now and then keeps the effect small.
Can I wear a cap with loose curls?
You can, but a cap will press the curls where the band sits and can bunch the length at the neck. A ponytail, bun or braid with a back opening keeps the hair out of the band.
Do caps with a ponytail opening fit curly hair in a bun?
Many do, if the opening is wide enough and sits high enough. Check the opening and the size range, and note that the opening is designed for a ponytail, bun or braid.
What size do I need if I have a lot of hair?
Measure your head about 1 cm above the ears. PonyLoop caps are one size for 54 to 62 cm and include a foam insert for heads under 56 cm. If your hair is gathered up, take the measurement before you order.
How much do PonyLoop caps cost and how long does delivery take?
The Original, Vintage and Glitter caps cost 24.99 EUR each. Delivery usually takes 1 to 3 weeks after payment, and up to 40 days in rare cases.