Hero Item: The History of the Bucket Hat

The trusty bucket hat: a love or hate fashion staple that has stood the test of time. But the unassuming accessory has an interesting history that stems back to a recreational sport that you might not associate the otherwise trendy accessory with... fishing.

That’s right, the bucket hat was used by recreational fishermen and farmers as a functional item that could protect them from elements such as rain and excessive sun, thanks to its wide brim coverage. The ability to simply fold the bucket hat and slip it into your pocket was also an appealing feature.

But with the introduction of the British Mod movement in the 1960’s, the bucket hat transitioned from a functional item to one of fashion integrity, seen on the heads of celebrities and Mod-movers and shakers a like.

Throughout the 1980’s and going well into the 2000’s, the bucket hat further transitioned into becoming a cult symbol of the hip-hop community with artists like Big Bank Hank, Run-DMC, LL Cool J and even Jay-Z donning the wide brim hat on the regular. Some even go as far to say that the bucket hat introduced rappers and hip-hop artists to the world of headwear, with many taking on its style on album covers, at concerts and in music clips.