Most guys know that if you need an essential accessory to elevate your already impressive fit, it’s always best to go with a hat. Hats are fun. Hats are distinctive. They’re the perfect piece that can take an average-looking outfit and turn it into a showstopper to garner you plenty of head turns. Of course, depending on the season, choosing the best men’s hat can be a tricky task. However, there’s one specific style that is versatile and stylish enough to wear during any season — the bucket hat.
Yes, we’re talking about the hats your parents loved when they were in their twenties. When you think of the iconic bucket hat, hip-hop greats like LLCoolJ, Eric B and Run DMC come to mind, considering their music/fashion presence influenced fashion trends at the time. And just like several other trends, the wide-brimmed hat is back in style and has been for a few seasons now.
To help you rock this Gen Z-approved fashion favorite, we’ve gathered the 20 best bucket hats for the summer season below.
What Is a Bucket Hat Anyway?
Originally, they were popular with farmers and fishermen in the early 1900s. The original bucket hats were made of wool and coated with lanolin. That coating made the hats waterproof. Perfect for tromping around in fields while sitting in a boat during rainy or foggy weather. Fast forward to the late 80s and early 90s, and rappers sported bucket hats as a stylish accessory. One brand that was very popular at the time was Kangol.
Are Bucket Hats Cool? The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of Bucket Hats
Speaking of Kangol, this brand actually provides a pretty good case study in the evolution of bucket hats. In an episode of the popular American TV series The Office, when Michael Scott tried to dress up in his coolest date-night outfit, he wore a Kangol hat, a good shorthand for exactly how out of touch he was fashion-wise. Yet like dad hats, dad shoes, fanny packs, and other types of dorky accessories, Gen Z has brought the bucket hat back from the dead. Against all odds, the bucket hat is cool again.
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Should I Wear a Bucket Hat?
Bucket hats can add a little somethin’ somethin’ to whatever you’re wearing — if you can pull it off. A bucket hat in a clever print lets people know you’re a friendly extrovert. They can also hide a bad hair day or a bad haircut. Not to mention, they protect you against sunburn and stop the sun from getting in your eyes and ruining your shot. And yes, if the weather’s crappy, they’ll keep your head shielded from the rain, sleet or snow.
What we love most about the best bucket hats is they’re suitable to wear any time of the year. You can wear a bucket hat to play tennis or golf. You can wear a bucket hat while riding a bicycle or dancing at a festival. Or you can toss a bucket hat on for a trip to the supermarket. Bucket hats come in everything from leather to wool to cotton and more. Scroll through to find the best bucket hats to wear right now.
1. Polo Ralph Lauren Packable Bucket Hat
BEST OVERALL
We’re all about dad hats, and Polo’s baseball cap is arguably one of the most iconic. Ralph keeps the hits coming with the other dad hat du jour, the bucket hat. This bucket hat is made from lightweight, recycled polyester and it packs into an attached pouch, making it a must-have travel accessory this summer. It has Polo’s horse logo and comes in a range of colors.
2. Adidas x Noah 3-Stripes Bucket Hat
BEST COLLAB
Noah is like a nicotine patch for streetwear. You’re still getting a hit of hype, but the brand is not as logo-centric and trend-focused as brands like Supreme. Noah is also big on preppy influences, and the brand linked up with Adidas and flipped its three-stripe logo, giving it more of a nautical vibe. The hat features Adidas trefoil and Noah’s cross logos. The hat is made from cotton.
3. Mashiaoyi Unisex Printed Bucket Hats
BEST PRINTS
We love the cloud print on this affordable and unisex bucket hat, available now via Amazon Prime. However, this same bucket hat is also available in dozens of other prints such as various tie-dye patterns, sunflowers and flamingos. This hat is also an “Amazon’s Choice” product with more than 7,000 customer ratings.
4. Lululemon Both Ways Reversible Bucket Hat
REVERSIBLE
Does it get any better than a reversible bucket hat? This bucket hat from Lululemon will be the ultimate fashion accessory of the season with its convenient design. You’re basically getting two hats, one with a simple color silhouette on one side and a funky printed design on the other side. It’s made of a lightweight fabric that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. You’ll love wearing this hat on a hot summer day to keep cool.
5. Kangol Bermuda Bucket Hat
THE ORIGINAL
Kangol, a British brand, has been serving up quality and stylish headwear for over 80 years and they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Their Bermuda bucket hat has a classic design with a modern twist that fashionistas will love. Instead of traditional cotton material, this hat uses terry-like Bermuda fabric for a textured finish. Of course, like every Kangol hat, the headwear is completed with the iconic kangaroo logo on the front.
6. Adidas Pastel Tie-Dye Bucket Hats
BEST TIE-DYE BUCKET HATS
When we set out to find the coolest bucket hats for the summer, we didn’t expect to find so many awesome Adidas accessories, not that we’re too surprised. We particularly love this pastel bucket hat, with a subtle tie-dye pattern that’s not too loud.
7. Uniqlo UV Protection Bucket Hat
BEST DAD HAT
Uniqlo always nails the basics, and this hat is the most streamlined and simple version of a bucket hat. There are no logos or extraneous details, and the hat comes in neutral shades like black and khaki. The hat is made from a blend of cotton and nylon, and it has UV protection for long days in the sun.
8. Adidas Men’s Victory 4 Bucket Hat
BEST FOR HIKING
This Adidas hat is perfect for hikes or days on the water. It has an adjustable drawstring for a secure fit. The polyester fabric offers UPF 50 protection, and the wide brim ensures maximum sun safety. The sides of the hat have small perforations for breathability. Plus, the hat comes in a range of stylish colors.
9. Stetson Delave Cotton Bucket Hat
GONE FISHIN’
If you picture a dorky, middle-aged dad fishing in a bucket hat (and we say that with love for our dorky dads), this is the bucket hat he’s wearing. The cotton hat is another unisex option and an ideal companion for all types of outdoor activities this summer.
10. Jacquemus Le Bob Gadjo
BEST DESIGNER
This designer bucket hat couldn’t be more different than the previous option. You can never go wrong with adding a little pop of color to your outfit, so if you’re looking to stand out in a good way, opt for this men’s bucket hat from Jacquemus. It’s colored in a vibrant green and features a silver Jacquemus logo on the front. What’s more, the hat is reasonably priced for it to be a designer item. Also, if green isn’t your color there are 10 other colorways to choose from, including pink, turquoise and yellow.
11. Playboy Tile Print Bucket Hat
Playboy, that iconic American brand, has re-emerged as a surprisingly trendy apparel brand, and the company has a few different stylish bucket hats for 2022. In addition to tie-dye bucket hats, we love this hat featuring a retro Playboy bunny checkered print. Check out more Playboy bucket hats at the brand’s newly popular online store.
12. Gelante Tie Dye Bucket Hat
LOUDEST
No design screams summer more than tye-dye, so you know we had to feature a bucket hat with the print on the roundup. For the past few years now, tie-dye bucket hats have been a major summer trend, and once again, this breathable bucket hat will leave you looking like the life of the party.
13. Carhartt WIP Script Bucket Hat
WORKWEAR PICK
Men of all ages have loved Carharrt, thanks to the brand’s heavy-duty workwear. Over the past few years, the lines between workwear and fashion have blurred, allowing the brand to become a trendy staple for fashion lovers everywhere. An accessory that is a best-seller for the brand is their script bucket hat. The hat is constructed of a cotton canvas and is lined for pure comfort. It comes in several stylish colors that are perfect to wear all year ’round.
14. DIOP The Akira Bucket Hat
MOST INTERESTING DESIGN
DIOP has a number of gorgeously designed bucket hats with patterns derived from West Africa and fabrics from Indonesia. Each design is entirely unique and vibrant in its own way. A lot of people who are not Western African or Indonesian tend to wonder if they can wear DIOP, but the founders say it’s entirely fair game and inclusive if you recognize the roots. We suggest you do, too — these hats are iconic.
15. Coach Signature Denim Bucket Hat
BEST DENIM
There are a number of denim bucket hats for purchase, but why not snag one that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd? This retro-inspired hat is crafted of light-washed denim with Coach’s signature “C” logo printed all over in a contrasting color. The hat is finished with a smooth leather hem and ventilating ports to keep you cool. You’ll find this to be the perfect additive you need to stand out from the sea of denim buckets this summer.
16. L.L.Bean Adults’ No Fly Zone Boonie Hat
INSECT-REPELLENT
One downside of warmer weather is the insects that thrive in hotter temperatures. Luckily, this bucket hat from L.L.Bean doubles as an insect repellent with its no-fly zone fabric, keeping you free of bug bites. It’s also equipped with UPF 50+ to block out the sun’s harmful rays. You’ll stay cool and comfy all day while wearing this bucket hat since it features a CoolMax sweatband that wicks away moisture. You can get the hat in two colors: clay and dusty olive.
Read More: The Best Hiking Hats for Summer 2022
17. Prada Re-Nylon Bucket Hat
BEST SPLURGE
Whether you follow trends or set them, Prada bucket hats have been the “it” accessory for the past few seasons. Don’t get us wrong, we love a good trend, so SPY 100% approves of this headwear. The hat is constructed from re-nylon, a fabric produced by Prada made of recycled and purified plastics from the ocean. It has a simple, black silhouette with the Italian brand’s signature logo on the front for the perfect subtle flex.
18. The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
BEST FOR HIKING
Headed up a mountain? Fishing with the boys? Picnic by the creek? No matter what outdoor activities you’ve got planned, The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat makes a perfect companion for spending time outside. It’s made with UPF 40+ to keep your head out of harm’s way from the sun and uses nylon material to wick sweat and moisture. It’s also very lightweight, so you won’t feel like you’re lugging it along when out and about.
19. Jaded London Green and Blue Crochet Bucket Hat
HANDMADE
With festival season upon us, it’s only right that we include a vibrant bucket hat that will set the tone at any event you plan to attend this year. The crochet hat is patterned in blue, green and white to give a funky kind of look that will garner you plenty of head turns. Plus, each hat is handmade, making them extra special because they’re all unique.
20. Rains Bucket Hat
BEST WATERPROOF
We’re all about bucket hats for summer, but bucket hats are arguably just as useful in the cooler months. This hat is made from a water repellent polyester and polyurethane fabric that will let you leave your umbrella at home. It comes from Scandinavian brand Rains, which has a singular focus on keeping you dry in wet weather. They’ve applied their sleek design sensibility and waterproof fabric to backpacks, pants and of course, jackets.
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