The History of Bucket Hats

Bucket hats were first worn by Irish farmers and fishermen in the 1900s to protect their faces from the rain. Similar hats were used to protect troops from the elements during World War II and the Vietnam War. In the 1960s, the bucket hat moved from a functional item to a fashion accessory when it was embraced by the Mod movement. In the 1980s, the headwear became a favorite of hip-hop stars, with rappers often sporting the hats on album covers and in music videos. In fact, Big Bank Hank of the Sugar Hill Gang wore one during a 1979 performance of “Rapper’s Delight” on Soap Factory, which also marked the first-ever recorded music video. Later, stars like LL Cool J, the members of Run-DMC, and Jay-Z continued the trend. Today, bucket hats have become popular as a mainstream fashion trend, a far cry from their utilitarian origins in the 1900s.