Tom of Finland (bis) (Finland)

Here’s another terrific image from the Tom of Finland collection that my penpal Jussi has sent. This style of cap is so iconic to me but I don’t even know what they’re called. A quick web search turned up lots of sites selling them—or facsimiles thereof—but I’m not sure what they’re called. I wonder if they’re based on, or inspired by historical uniforms worn by Finnish police officers or soldiers? They’re certainly synonymous now with erotic hypermasculinity. There was a time when any self-respecting white, gay man would have worn at least one or two pieces like this when going out to cruise. I think you still see some of this style at the Folsom Street Fair and other places that gay men in the leather and kink communities congregate. Well, as the hip people say now: it’s a whole mood!