By: Sandile Zikhali

A hat that first appeared on the TV series Gilligan’s Island back in the 1960’s has turned into a signature look for some musicians, and Durbanites have caught on.

The Bucket hat, which has been around for decades has been an on and off trend for the past decade as musicians like LL Cool J have rocked out, while rocking these hats.

The hat has been revived again by Hip-Hop musicians like Chris Brown in the video Loyal, School Boy Q and South Africa’s very own Casper Nyovest.

Scelo Majola, a varsity student, said these hats bring that “cool” factor, perfect for summer.

“It is really awesome how this hat that we once knew as Ispoti has been brought back; I have to get myself one.  I also want to be cool like Casper Nyovest! who doesn’t?” Said Majola.

Opportunists like Lizo Shazi, founder of Spoiled Brettz clothing range, saw this as an opportunity to grow his business as he has started designing and selling bucket hats.

“These hats are in demand; they are selling like hot cakes.  This has helped my business to get more recognition,” Shazi said.

School Boy Q was quoted from an online publication saying, “yes I’m a grown man in a bucket hat [laughs]. The bucket hat thing is just something that I felt looked good on my head- I guess I got a little too carried away with it.”
With so many young people selling bucket hats, some people feel that designers should be original and come up with their own thing.

“Since summer is already here everyone is going to sell bucket hats- people should think out of the box and come up with their own trends.  It is very disappointing to see our talented young designers not thinking out of the box,” said Lungile Mkhize, a fashion fanatic.