Introduction: A hat that supports the entire style universe?
In the fashion circle where trends change rapidly, hats are not only functional items, but also important accessories for shaping personal style. **Bucket Hat** is one of the most popular hat styles in recent years, constantly appearing in celebrity street shots, music MVs and haute couture catwalks, but how is it different from other common hat styles? Do you really know the difference between bucket hats and baseball caps, berets, top hats, newsboy hats, straw hats, etc.? Today we will take you to compare from the appearance structure, applicable scenarios, matching styles to cultural significance, so that you will no longer get lost when choosing a hat.
1. A brief history of hats and an overview of the five major types of hats
Before the formal comparison, let's quickly understand the "racial spectrum" of hats.
Common hat types:
Type: Bucket Hat
Representative items: Kangol, Stüssy
Mainstream crowd: Gen Z / Y2K
Common scenes: street, travel, fashion
Type: Baseball Cap
Representative items: New Era, Nike
Mainstream crowd: both men and women
Common scenes: sports, daily life, advertising
Type: Beret
Representative items: French military style, college style
Mainstream crowd: women / literary crowd
Common scenes: early autumn, artistic occasions
Type: Newsboy Cap
Representative items: H&M, Goorin Bros.
Mainstream crowd: men, retro control
Common scenes: retro street, photographer style
Type: Fedora
Representative items: Panama
Mainstream crowd: suit style, mature men
Common scenes: formal occasions, weddings
Type: Straw Hat
Representative items: farmer hat, wide-brimmed hat
Mainstream crowd: women, tourists
Common scenes: summer, beach, sun protection
2. Comparison of appearance and structure - see the difference at a glance
✅ Bucket Hat
Brim: slightly drooping, overall soft, foldable
Material: canvas, nylon, cotton, waterproof fabric
Style: neutral and street-oriented, literary or outdoor
✅ Baseball Cap
Brim: fixed curved brim or straight brim
Structure: six pieces spliced + visor + adjustable hatband
Style: sporty, sunny, street trend
✅ Beret
Hat type: brimless, dome, flat
Wearing method: tilted or symmetrical, focusing on styling
Style: French, retro, literary and feminine
✅ Newsboy Cap
Hat type: dome + visor + three-dimensional slices
Style: British, retro, masculine
✅ Fedora
Brim: stiff, with upturned sides
Material: wool, felt, leather
Style: gentleman, high-end, formal occasions
3. Functional attributes and wearing scenario analysis
Fisherman's hat
Sun protection: ✅ High shielding
Foldable and portable: ✅
Usable in all seasons: ✅ Especially suitable for spring, summer and autumn
Comfort: ✅ Excellent
Breadth of wearers: ✅ Both men and women
Baseball cap
Sun protection: ✅ Medium
Foldable and portable: ❌
Usable in all seasons: ✅
Comfort: ✅
Breadth of wearers: ✅
Beret
Sun protection: ❌
Foldable and portable: ✅
Usable in all seasons: ❌ Mostly in spring and autumn
Comfort: Medium
Breadth of wearers: Mainly women
Newsboy cap
Sun protection: ❌
Foldable and portable: ✅
Usable in all seasons: ✅ Autumn and winter
Comfort: Medium
Breadth of wearers: Mainly men
Top hat
Sun protection: ✅ Medium
Foldable and portable: ❌
Usable in all seasons: ❌ Mostly in autumn and winter
Comfort: medium-low
Breadth of wearers: mainly men
4. Style analysis
🧢 Fisherman's hat: street + literary + practical
Style adaptation: Y2K, outdoor sports, college style
Recommended matching: short T + wide-leg pants / windbreaker + sneakers / outdoor vest + cargo pants
🧢 Baseball cap: a panacea in the sports fashion world
Style adaptation: minimalism, urban trend, youth sports
Recommended matching: sweatshirt + jeans / polo shirt + white shoes
🧢 Beret: a photo-taking tool with full literary attributes
Style adaptation: Japanese, French, artistic style
Recommended matching: loose sweater + long skirt / plaid jacket + umbrella skirt
🧢 Newsboy cap: a favorite of retro lovers
Style adaptation: retro gentleman style, photography style, literary youth
Recommended matching: woolen coat + short boots / suit + vest
🧢 Top hat: Standard for urban gentlemen and socialites
Style adaptation: business, wedding, cocktail party
Recommended pairing: three-piece suit / elegant dress + handbag
5. Cultural significance and ethnic symbolism behind it
🎯 Bucket hat = street culture + Gen Z expression
Originated from Irish farmers in the early 20th century → later accepted by hip-hop and skateboarding culture
Repeatedly popular among hip-hop stars (such as LL Cool J, Rihanna), K-pop and TikTok
Symbol: rebellious spirit, free matching, regardless of gender
🎯 Baseball cap = American dream + commercial IP
Driven by MLB league and sports stars → Became a symbol of American lifestyle
Later, it was widely used by brands as a logo carrier (NY, LA cap)
🎯 Beret = coexistence of art and politics
Originated from the French military cap, and later adopted by artists (Picasso) and the feminist movement
It is both a symbol of literature and art and a carrier of female expression
🎯 Newsboy cap = working class → retro revival
Originated from 19th century British newsboy work clothes
Representing the retro working style, it was later reawakened by movies and retro fashion circles
🎯 Top hat = symbol of class and gentleman culture
Originated from the British gentleman social circle
Symbolizes high-end, normative and formal power
6. Hat selection suggestions | Which hat is suitable for you?
If you are:
- Gen Z / like trend changes → Recommend bucket hat / baseball cap
- Like taking pictures, soft style → Recommend beret / newsboy cap
- Business people / many formal scenes → Recommend top hat
- Short-haired girls / neutral style boys → Bucket hat has more room for matching
7. Conclusion | Choosing the right hat is to find a way of expression
Different hats have different personalities, the casualness of the bucket hat, the sportiness of the baseball cap, the romance of the beret, the retro of the newsboy cap, and the high-end of the top hat. They are not only accessories for styling, but also the extension of culture and identity.
In the "hat matching", no one is more advanced than anyone else, only who is more suitable for you. As long as you understand their style codes, you can use a hat to express your uniqueness.