What is a bucket hat?

The humble bucket hat, it's name is thought to have come from its shape, which looks like an inverted bucket. Thought to have originated here in Ireland in the 1900s, and born out of necessity, practicality, and accessibility to wool, Irish farmers and fishermen needed a way to protect themselves from the elements whilst at work. With a seemingly infinite supply of wool in fields to the left and right, these men had access to the perfect material from which to make their bucket hats- sheep's wool. Wool is naturally warm and it's material profile makes it naturally water resistant, making it the perfect material for these bucket hats.

Although around for over a century, the Bucket Hats popularity has grown over the past few years and we understand why. This hat is stylish yet practical, the downward slopping brim protects the face from the elements whether that be rain, sun, or snow. The additional benefit of a bucket hat, is the fact that it can be folded up, popped in your coat pocket or bag, and it'll be ready to wear when you want to wear it.

Bucket hats are easy and versatile pieces to style, no matter the season or the weather. In the Spring, they look great paired with a light jacket or blazer, in the summer our Pork Pie Hat Linen would look great with a linen shirt, light denim jacket or shacket, and in Autumn/Winter, you can't go wrong pairing your tweed bucket hat with your favourite peacoat for a stylish but cosy look.

We've added a variety of bucket hats to our collection over the last few years, so we thought we would compare and contrast them in this blogpost to help you find your favourite bucket hat.

Eske Travel Hat Tweed

First up is our Eske Travel Hat Tweed, this is a soft-bodied, tailored fit bucket hat that has a soft, deep brim with decorative stitching. It's tapered crown gives this hat a unique look. As the name suggests, its soft construction makes it an ideal travelling companion as it bounces back into shape easily. Suitable for all genders, this style is offered in a selection of tweeds, patterns, and weights. 

Slieve League Hat Tweed

Our Slieve League Hat Tweed is a feminine style and has a round paneled body with a tapered brim creating a chic 1920’s silhouette. Its name inspired by the highest sea cliffs in Europe, a must-visit if you come to Donegal! Available in a variety of colours and patterns, including some versatile neutrals and some eye-catching checks, you'll definitely find one that will look great with your favourite coat.

In celebration of our 100 years in business, we revived several bucket-style hats from our archives, including our Pork Pie Hat Tweed, Eleanor Hat Tweed, Wee Thatch Hat Tweed and Pork Pie Hat Linen. 

Pork Pie Hat Tweed

Originally launched back in the early 90s, we are delighted to reintroduce the Pork Pie Hat Tweed This hat features two eyelets on either side of the body, and a floppy brim, unlined for ultimate comfort. This foldable, breathable hat is ideal for keeping warm in cooler temperatures. The Pork Pie Hat Tweed has a 1 ¾ inch (4.5cm) brim (approximately- based on a size Medium) and a 3 ½ inch (9cm) tall body (approximately- based on a size Medium). Available in a variety of patterns in a selection of Irish and Scottish Harris Tweeds. 

We hope this blogpost gave you a little background on the bucket hat style and helped you find your perfect Hanna Hats Bucket Hat. You can check out our full collection of bucket hats here. If you're unsure on your size, we recommend ordering the size you usually order in our flat cap or newsboy style. If you don't know your size, be sure to check out our 'How do I measure my head?' blog here. If you have any other questions that we haven’t addressed above, please message us on our live chat and we’ll do our best to assist you. If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with someone else on the search for the ultimate bucket hat.