The holy grail of dixie cups 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/104311121/vintage-1960s-hawaii-hat-sun-hat-bucket?ref=usr_faveitems&atr_uid=8090896

$ 30.00 ?   Poly blend?

It just goes to show.

Jim, i`ve checked out that video; i`m almost certain that the two respective white bucket hats are not proper naval issue.


The (US) Navy hats , when worn as bucket hats, form more of a continuous line. The brims are not as flared as with 99% of bucket hats.


The bucket hat that i posted a pic of, i will keep in that style, i think.

I was working on another white bucket hat, last night. I was turning it inside out, continuously, to soften up the card like brim.

The brim has now become very supple and floppy. I was pinching up the very edge of  the brim a few times, too: turning it back about a quarter of an inch; right along the whole length. It helped along that skirt or flared appearance/ line. The lid effect.


I suppose its like sack sports coats; the charm of this style is is in the pleasing breaking down of sympathetic form structures.

I actually really LIKE these bucket hats when they are really softened up. The brims will splay and flare out more; when you work on beating them up; but not nearly as much as usual bucket hats...


It`s THAT very point about them, that i think makes them so interesting and attractive.


I think i may coffee-dye one, just a little; just to take that edge off the white colour.

Last edited by jesmond (2012-08-06 07:35:15)

Like it !

I was repeatedly turning that hat inside out, last night; and crushing the brim: through flattening it, from all sides, in order to knead out the stiffness. The wide brim material is now really supple ( but I think I can work on it more, and get it more supple and floppy; and less, like it was, like card).

The finishing touch was to make a very narrow turn-up for the edge of the brim; a couple of times:  to cultivate a bit of an outward curl to the brim ( and silhouette).

It's funny but the shape and silhouette reminded me,particularly, of the KANGOL style bucket hat.


I really think the styling, with these naval issue bucket hats, is one hell of a lot better...

Its no exagerration to say, that they really are the idealised, cool, bucket hat that I'd had an imaginary conception of, in my head; come to life. The hat that I'd imagined and WANTED to buy, but didn't know where; didn't know existed.

I'd looked at countless bucket hats, but none were quite right. If it wasn't for these naval issue versions, I don't think I would have had the inclination to buy the 'usual' style.

There IS something very jazzy, very 50s and very nonchalant about these particular hats. They feel very NOW, because the look is subtly fresh and classic.

Once again, I put it down to the continuous, un-interrupted, (very subtly arched) line of the hat , in silhouette .

These may remind me just a little of KANGOL style bucket hats, but really, for me, there is no comparison. The way I feel, at the moment, these really are the DEFINITIVE, cool style of bucket hat, for me, personally.

People wouldn't look twice at anyone wearing any KANGOL bucket hat. It is a pedestrian, commonplace look. I dont even find the kangol hats that aesthetically appealing.These hats, subtly, quicken the blood of appraisers, in my (short) experience. Because they are freeform in the way you choose to shape them; they make a very  fresh, flexible, and personal style  statement. You can't pin these hats down. ( always something to stylistically aim for, in my book).

I was monitoring the reaction today. I would say it was definitely one of positive curiosity. It was definitely noticed as being ,somehow, subtly different. I think people didn't quite know why. Wasn't it just one of those bucket style hats? And yet, I felt as though others thought it suited me.

Well, I think they're cool.

The silhouette is kind of like a bell shape; with a very subtle flaring at the bottom of the brim ( like a lid).

Last edited by jesmond (2012-08-06 23:26:05)

I've really no idea.

But, they have been used, in that recognisable form, for a hundred years or more?


As a sun hat, or , perhaps, rain hat, maybe?

I really can't figure out how the result looks, lack of imagination. Pics? ;>

Sounds great, and fun. Thank you for describing how you dyed them. You'll never know.

O.K., just bought one from a seller in Germany. No transatlantic hassle. Have some instant coffee left from the holiday. Ready to go when it arrives.

Last edited by jesmond (2012-08-19 10:13:17)

http://instagr.am/p/Oiv9nSjOhE/

http://instagr.am/p/OivXC2jOg5/

http://instagr.am/p/OhCaGwjOh9/

http://instagr.am/p/Oiw7wdDOhg/

Thanks a lot, Woolster. You're a free spirit, too, I think you'll like them.


Have fun!