Popular fashion can have a serious sense of humor  what was once considered totally uncool can quickly become the latest must-have product of the moment. Case in point: the dad cap.

In case you hadn't heard, those slightly tattered, somewhat ill-fitted baseball caps that you are most likely to see on good ol' Dad have now reached "it" headgear status. While a dad cap is really just a baseball cap  snapback hats, strapback caps, and fitted baseball hats included  its distinguishing features are that it has a slightly loose fit, curved bill, and low profile.  

So which dad cap style is best for you? Aside from personal taste, it's really a matter of material and fit. Baseball caps come in any number of fabrics, from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, leather, and suede to synthetic materials including polyester or nylon. While lightweight textures such as cotton or nylon might be great for keeping cool in the heat and during lots of activity, a thicker textile such as wool or suede will keep you warm in cold weather.

Snapback hats, strapback hats, and fitted caps are all part of the dad cap clan, but they each have a distinct style. (Hint: It's in their name.) Take a look at our handy hat glossary for even more must-know terminology.

A snapback baseball cap is one that snaps in the back to adjust the fit. This style has been made highly popular by New Era, the official hat supplier of MLB (Major League Baseball). A strapback baseball cap is one that adjusts with a strap rather than a strip of plastic snaps.

Finally, a fitted baseball cap has no snaps or straps, so it cannot be adjusted to fit. This makes it even more important to measure your hat size properly before choosing any hat. Check out our list of the do's and don'ts of wearing a baseball hat to get it right every time.

Even though the dad cap trend is more about comfortable function (and a dash of irony) than cutting-edge glamour, there's no reason you can't have fun with it. Get ready to take the dad cap craze to the next level with our guide featuring everything from stylish strapback hats in unexpected finishes to relaxed yet refined snapback caps.