The History of the Bucket Hat to a Must-Have Fashion Accessory
The Bucket hat is having its moment. It is no longer seen as something you wear only for camping or fishing in a drab cotton khaki cotton fabric but a stylish must-have in a dazzling variety of fabrics, textures and colours.
The Bucket hat or Fishing hat is said to have been introduced around 1900. It was originally made from wool felt or tweed cloth. These hats were traditionally worn by Irish farmers and fishermen as protection from the rain, due to their wide downward slanting brim. The lanolin from the unwashed wool made these functional hats waterproof. They were also easy to fold and put into a pocket.
In the 1940’s troops wore standard-issue hats made from olive coloured drab cotton fabric that protected the back of their neck. Troops in the Vietnam war were issued similar hats in the 1950s to the 70’s.
During the 1960’s Mod movement the Bucket hat moved on from being a functional hat to a fashionable one. These styles were made of stiffer fabrics. The silhouette became larger to accommodate the fashionable bouffant hairstyles.
The 80’s Hip Hop community embraced the Bucket hat. Big Bank Hank of the Sugar Hill Gang wore one on a 1979 performance of ‘Rapper's Delight’ on the TV show ‘Soap Factory’. Others started to wear the hat including Run DMC in 1984, LL Cool J in 1985 wearing a red Kangol Bucket hat and Jay Z in 2000. The Buckey hat was dismissed as naff by the fashion set after the 90’s. Miuccia Prada tried to bring it back in 2005 when models on the S/S 2005 runway wore slimmed-down hats covered in peacock feathers and all over sparkles.
It is now once again the turn of the Bucket hat to be in the spotlight. In every colour and type of fabric, they are now a fashion staple seen on celebrities like Rhiana, Billie Elish, Dua Lipa and model Bella Hadid,
My favourite faux fur bucket hats are from Emma Brewin. Each hat is designed and handmade to order in Kent. Practical, stylish and oh so fashionable. Sustainability has been an integral part of her label since its beginning and even the fabric scraps are used to make her ‘Puss Puss’ earrings. Take a look on Instagram to see what I mean. And take a look at a matching coat too. @_emmabrewin_