Bucket hat
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A bucket hat is a soft cotton hat with a wide and downwards sloping brim which is worn by both men and women. The brim offers shade from the sun for the eyes and face. They are usually made from heavy-duty cotton fabrics such as denim, or canvas. Two metal eyelets are commonly placed on each side of the hat so that it is cool to wear on hot days.
In American popular culture, the bucket hat is associated with the character Gilligan, from the 1960s television comedy Gilligan's Island, who habitually wore one. According to the late Rodney Dangerfield, one would be able to get a free bowl of soup with this type of hat. In 1998, it also became well known as the trademark of Gregg Alexander, frontman of the New Radicals who had the hit "You Get What You Give".
Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson was also famously known for wearing them, and is depicted as doing so in both Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Where The Buffalo Roam.
In Israel, the bucket hat dates back to the beginning of the nation in the Israeli War of Independence. Israeli soldiers needed something that would protect them from the hot sun. At first, they used the Arab keffiyeh but realized they needed to distinguish themselves from the Arab soldiers. They used a local heavy-duty cotton fabric for simple hats, the "kova tembel" or "fool's hat." To this day, the "kova tembel" is used in the Israeli Defense Forces, and is a national symbol.
In the UK, it is known as a fishing hat and is associated with the Mod/Indie scene.
In Argentina the hat was made famous by comedian Alberto Olmedo and his fictional character, Capitán Piluso (The Piluso Captain). The bucket was one of the outstanding features in his uniform, and thus the hat rose to popularity as The Piluso Hat, or simply, The Piluso.
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