Systems to improve wearability and comfort of headwear and related methods

An academic cap comprising:

• a board;
• a skullcap that is coupled to and underlies the board, comprises fabric, and has an edge that is not fixed to the board;
• and
• a headwear securing system comprising:
• an outer ring having opposing inner and outer surfaces and a first circumference;
• an inner ring having a second circumference less than the first circumference of the outer ring such that the inner ring is configured to be received entirely within a volume circumscribed by the outer ring such that the inner ring can be obscured from view by the outer ring, the inner ring having:
• opposing inner and outer surfaces;
• and
• one or more receptacles, each coupled to the inner surface of the inner ring and defining a receiving space;
• a headband that has:
• first and second ends;
• opposing upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• front and rear edges that each connect the upper surface to the lower surface and extend between the first and second ends;
• wherein the headband is curved such that the front and rear edges of the headband each subtend an angle that is greater than or equal to 180° between the first and second ends;
• and
• one or more tabs, wherein each of the one or more tabs is coupled to and extends away from the upper surface of the headband;
• wherein the outer ring underlies the board, the skullcap is folded over the outer ring, and the inner ring is received entirely within the volume circumscribed by the outer ring such that:
• a first portion of the skullcap is disposed along the outer surface of the outer ring;
• a second portion of the skullcap that includes the edge of the skullcap is disposed in the volume circumscribed by the outer ring;
• and
• at least some of the second portion of the skullcap is disposed between the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring;
• wherein each of the one or more tabs is received in the receiving space defined by a respective one of the one or more receptacles such that the one or more tabs is releasably engaged with the one or more receptacles;
• and
• wherein an upper portion of the headband is disposed in the volume circumscribed by the outer ring and the first and second ends of the headband are disposed entirely below the volume circumscribed by the outer ring and extending downwardly away from the outer and inner rings for engagement with respective sides of a wearer's head.