The History of Bucket Hats
Bucket hats are unique accessories that can be used to add a striking look to your everyday outfit. These portable, vibrant hats have been a popular item in the past and can be worn in various settings. So, where did the name “bucket hat” come from?
The bucket hat’s distinctive shape gave rise to its name. The wide, gently sloping brim and deep, circular base of this hat provides the impression of an inverted bucket on the wearer’s head. Since the hat’s creation in the 1900s, it has evolved from being strictly functional into a stylish ornament.
The “bucket hat” was first produced in Ireland early in the 20th century. It became a customary piece of headwear worn by farmers and fishermen to keep out the rain and symbolized the best that the working class could afford since it was made of wool or tweed. Because it could be folded up and fit into a coat pocket, it was eventually adopted by the higher classes of the British nobility for country walks, bird shooting, and fishing. Paired with an Aran sweater, bucket hats are considered a traditional Irish garment due to their weather resistance qualities. Bucket hats quickly became popular throughout the world shortly after the First World War and up to the start of the Second.
During the Vietnam War, U.S. Army soldiers wore a version of the bucket hat called a boonie hat to help protect their face and neck from the jungle climate. The bucket hat then gained popularity as a fashion piece in the ’60s, made with fabrics and patterns much more stylish than before. In the late ’80s to early ’90s, it became a staple in hip-hop culture, proudly worn by rappers such as LL Cool J and Jay-Z. The bucket hat lost its fashion hype until a few years ago, when it returned to the mainstream.
Are Bucket Hats Making a Return?
Buckets hats are being sold more frequently again, becoming a staple for anyone who dresses in urban streetwear. This uniquely styled hat is becoming a popular choice for many changing the way fashion views the fisherman’s hat. Fashion brands are even gearing this hat style towards the younger generations who love incorporating it into their diverse wardrobe. Like any trend, the bucket hat may not last forever, but for now, it’s here to stay.
French DJ, Folamour, talks about bucket hats and their appearance in modern fashion:
“Bucket hats have been a signature for quite some time now, so it’s been fun to see more and more people wearing them not only at my shows but also in the streets and … pretty much everywhere. A few years ago, it was considered bad taste to wear one. Now I think these days are gone. I do see the connection, picking different styles of clothes to match them together and create something different; I like this.” – Folamour, Electronic Beats.
What Is a Bucket Hat?
The bucket hat has a distinctively wide brim that softly falls over the head, much different than a bowler hat with a rigid brim. Instead, the beak is naturally tilted down for sun protection or just plain style. Although several fabrics have been used to make bucket hats over the years, cotton or wool are the most common choices today. In addition, small eyelets and other decorations are frequently added to bucket hats to increase airflow around the wearer’s head. You can buy inexpensive cotton bucket hats for a few dollars or more expensive designer versions for several hundred dollars.
What Time of Year Can You Wear Bucket Hats?
A bucket hat can be a great accessory for the summer. In addition to its sun protection abilities, it is also a versatile casual hat and can be styled with just about any outfit. Bucket hats look fantastic in every season, rain or shine. A patterned fabric hat can be a great way to add interest to an outfit. Or choose a more minimally designed bucket hat if patterns aren’t your style.
Benefits of Wearing a Bucket Hat
A hat is often more than just another accessory to compliment your outfit. Specifically, bucket hats have a few qualities that make them a great choice to wear for any occasion. They are functional, stylish, and offer you support when other hats may fall short. Here are the top benefits of wearing a bucket hat:
Hot Weather Protection
One of the worst parts of wearing a hat during the summer is excessive sweating. Most hats become hot and sticky when worn under the sun for extended periods. Bucket hats are equipped with heat-releasing material that helps you stay cool during hot days. Some hats even contain mesh siding that acts as a ventilation system, allowing your head to stay cool for extended periods.
Cold Weather Protection
It’s important to wear a hat when going on a cold-weather hike or participating in an outdoor activity. When it’s cold outside, a hat can be of great assistance. The warmth and comfort of the body will be significantly influenced by the warmth and comfort of the head. Additionally, wearing a hat can help prevent you from getting a cold or the flu. Thanks to the bucket hat, your body won’t lose a lot of heat. In the long run, this will allow your body to work less to keep you warm and cozy.
UV Shielding During the Summer
Exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is one of the most frequent ways of developing skin issues and cancer. The skin on the face and the back of the neck is most frequently exposed to the sun. Constantly applying sunscreen throughout the day can be time-consuming and messy. Also, sunscreen protection may not be enough to protect your skin from sun damage. Using a hat is one of the best ways to avoid sunburn, skin problems, and other harmful sun impacts. To ensure that you are always covered, bucket hats have an excellent UPF rating. The UPF rating precisely indicates how much the garment shields the sun’s rays even at the highest levels of exposure. Most bucket hats will be able to shield the sun from your face and eyes, helping you stay protected throughout the day.
Bucket Hats Keep Your Hair Safe
The hair can constantly be damaged by the sun, snow, wind, and cold. Wearing a hat is one of the best ways to prevent damage to the hair. A bucket hat is excellent because it holds down the vital areas of your hair close to the roots, only allowing the lower sections to be exposed to the elements. On windy days, these hats are especially valuable because you can tuck your hair into its wide pocket, allowing your hair to stay safe and out of the wind’s harm.
A bucket hat is another great choice if you work around machinery and have to keep your hair up for safety reasons. You can keep your hair up without worrying about it getting caught or stuck in anything dangerous.
Bucket Hats Add Style to Your Look
Bucket hats add a fantastic look to any outfit. Hats are a great way to make an outfit more attractive. When you think of a bucket hat, you may only think of the brown or traditional tan styles. Today, there are plenty of modern bucket hats that come in bright colors, patterns, and materials that are much more unique and stylish than ever before. If you’re someone that enjoys adding a touch of uniqueness to your outfits and standing out from the crowd, wearing a bucket hat is a great way to do so.
Consider a Bucket Hat
There’s no better time than right now to add a bucket hat to your wardrobe. These trendsetting hats can be used for more than just fashion, making them a functional accessory you can benefit from wearing. Here are the top 7 men’s bucket hats that will match your style.
1. EINSKEY Unisex Sun Hat
EINSKEY’s bucket hat is made of 100% premium polyester material. For added support, the hat comes equipped with an adjustable drawstring to help secure it to your head comfortably. The circumference of the head space is around 22-24 inches, perfect for most adult head sizes. The wide brim sits at 3.9 inches, offering your face and eyes quality protection. The hat’s material is also water-resistant, making it the perfect cap to wear on those rainy spring afternoons. EINSKEY designed this hat with mesh panels along the sides to help release heat and moisture from the inside. There is also a built-in sweatband to help keep dirt and sweat out of your eyes.
No matter what color preference you have, EINSKEY offers this bucket hat in a variety of options. There are even options that come with a protective face covering. When not using it, you can easily stash it away by folding it and storing it in your bag.
Price: $18.99
2. GearTOP Bucket Hat
GearTOP’s bucket hat comes with a drawstring enclosure, helping to keep your hat on your head even on windy days. The hat’s material comprises 100% polyester, making it durable, lightweight, and high-quality. If you’re looking for a fishing hat with UV protection, this hat is for you. GearTOP designed this hat to be equipped with UPF 50+ when worn correctly. At the top of the hat is a ventilated band that allows heat and moisture to escape, keeping your head cool and dry.
The hat’s brim can be flipped upwards to allow better sun exposure and vision. You can also change the shape of this hat by snapping the sides together, giving it a distinct look. The lightweight material of this bucket hat makes it a great accessory to bring with you on hiking trips, camping, fishing, or any other activity where you’ll be out in the sun or exposed to the rain. There are a variety of neutral colors, such as brown, black, tan, and white, that you can choose from.
Price: $19.99
3. Columbia Unisex Adult Booney
Columbia is known for their high-quality outerwear, and their bucket hat is no exception. The material is made from 100% nylon, which gives this hat a lightweight and comfortable feel. The hat contains Omni-Shade material, which helps block UVA and UV rays to help protect your skin against the sun’s harmful rays.
Columbia’s material also consists of Omni-Wick fabric, a moisture-wicking technology used to keep you dry and comfortable while wearing the hat. Columbia’s booney hat can provide up to UPF 50 protection. There’s also an internal headband designed to help absorb and keep sweat out of your face on warm days. Columbia offers a wide variety of color options for this hat, such as blue, yellow, red, white, and many more.
Price: $28.42
4. The MISSION Cooling Bucket Hat
The MISSION Cooling Bucket Hat is designed to help you stay active and comfortable longer when the heat would normally cause you to slow down or give up on enjoying the outdoors. Whether traveling to a new tropical region or just exploring your garden, this hat can help you stay protected and dry. Products from MISSION are constructed of patented performance fabric that features cooling technology triggered by water. The MISSION Bucket Hat cools to 30 degrees below the average body temperature in less than 30 seconds with 3 simple steps. All you have to do is wet the hat, wring it out, and wave it dry.
With its unique design, comprehensive brim coverage, and UPF 50 fabric, this bucket hat shields your face, ears, and neck from UV rays. It has an adjustable chin strap for maximum comfort and functionality, and a brass pin snaps on either side to pin the whole thing up. This hat is also washable and reusable. Use this cooling bucket hat for activities like fishing excursions, lengthy hikes, leisurely gardening tasks, or even just relaxing at the beach.
Price: $19.88
5. Gelante Travel Bucket Hat
Gelante’s travel bucket hat is made of cotton and polyester fabrics. The soft, black fabric has a comfortable feel that can be worn throughout the day without experiencing any discomfort. Along the upper portion of the hat are brass eyelets that help release heat and moisture from the head. This ventilation component makes it a great hat to wear on warm days. You can easily travel with this hat, as it can be stored away by folding it in half without ruining its quality. Gelante has designed this hat for both men and women and offers it in various color options, including tie-dye!
Price: $8.99 – $19.50
6. Home Prefer Hat With Neck Flap
This outdoor UV protection hat is ideal for camping, hiking, kayaking, gardening, traveling, and hunting in any season. The hat’s neck flap offers excellent protection for the neck and ears, and its size is sufficient to shade the entire forehead. Your head will stay cool because of the mesh crown’s excellent ventilation. This hat has a UPF rating of 50+ to filter 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays. A fantastic present for both men and women.
Home Prefer’s hat is made of high-quality polyester, mesh, and nylon. The fabric is lightweight and easy to wear, allowing you to feel comfortable without being weighed down or restricted. You can also purchase this hat in different colors, such as yellow, pink, blue, black, and more.
Price: $14.99
7. Home Prefer Wide Brim Bucket Hat
Home Prefer’s wide brim bucket hat is made of 100% polyester material. This hat has a toggle closure, allowing it to stay attached to your head comfortably, especially on windy days. The toggle closure also enables you to hang the hat around your neck if it becomes too warm and you don’t want to wear it any longer.
The 3.2 inch brim makes this hat excellent for shielding your face and eyes from the harsh sun. Around the crown of the head is a mesh band that allows heat to escape from underneath the fabric, helping keep your head cool and comfortable even in sweltering conditions. There is also an adjustable cord that allows you to tighten the cap around your head to personalize its fit. Home Prefer offers this hat in various beautiful colors; they’ve got a bucket hat for just about anyone.
Price: $14.99
Who Benefits Most From Wearing Bucket Hats?
There is no right or wrong reason for wearing a bucket hat. Fishermen and outdoors people still enjoy wearing this hat style for its functionality. You may even see celebrities sporting a bucket hat that perfectly compliments their trendy outfit. Bucket hats come in many styles, from traditional, fuzzy, leather, and everything in between. Whenever trends surface again, old fashion staples are introduced to the younger generations, and bucket hats are no exception. This fun, fresh accessory has become one of the hottest staples in modern fashion.
Sun protection is also one of the best benefits of this hat. A bucket hat is a great choice if you’re prone to forehead sunburns or don’t like wearing sunglasses. On a windy day, a bucket hat also helps keep your hair safe and contained. If you’re looking for a bucket hat to add spice to your wardrobe or save you from the sun, consider these top 7 men’s bucket hats that will match your style and needs!