The bucket hat has become one of the most reliable sellers in fashion, and one of the most made-to-spec. Understanding how it is manufactured helps you brief it well and get the result you want. Here is a walkthrough.
Pattern and panels
A bucket hat is built from a crown, side panels and a brim, cut from a pattern. The pattern determines the fit and proportions, and small changes to it change how the hat sits. This is why getting the pattern right at sampling is so important.
Brim construction and stiffness
The brim defines the look, and its width and stiffness are key choices. A stiffer brim holds its shape; a softer brim gives a relaxed, packable feel. Topstitching rows on the brim are both functional and a design feature. Decide the brim character early, because it shapes the whole hat.
Materials and lining
Bucket hats are made in everything from cotton twill to corduroy, terry, nylon and technical fabrics, with or without a lining. The material sets the season and the price, and a printed lining is a popular branding touch that customers notice when they put the hat on.
Branding, finishing and what to specify
Branding options include embroidery, woven labels, applied patches and printed linings. When you brief a bucket hat, specify the brim width and stiffness, the fabric, the lining and the branding. Engelite manufactures bucket hats for Australian brands and will help you nail the spec. Send us your idea and we will make it.