Brad Pitt Is Keeping the Bucket Hat Dream Alive

northampton, england july 5 brad pitt waves to onlookers in the f1 paddock during practice ahead of the f1 grand prix of great britain at silverstone circuit on july 5, 2024 in northampton, united kingdom photo by kym illmangetty images
Brad Pitt Is Keeping the Bucket Hat Dream AliveKym Illman - Getty Images

What celebrities come to mind when you think of bucket hats? Liam Gallagher, or LL Cool J, for sure. But Brad Pitt? If he doesn’t, he very well should.

Over the weekend, the 60-year-old made two appearances at Silverstone, where he was filming scenes for his upcoming racing blockbuster, F1, as well as watching the drizzly British Grand Prix.

On Friday, he paired a quilted Burberry jacket with a Burberry bucket hat in a Daniel Lee-designed variant of its famed Nova check. Then on Sunday, the actor rocked up to the paddock in a same-but-different ensemble: a cord jacket, white tee, butter-yellow trousers, and a houndstooth hat. Different day, slightly different headwear!

northampton, england july 7 actor brad pitt signs autographs for fans outside the paddock during the f1 grand prix of great britain at silverstone circuit on july 7, 2024 in northampton, united kingdom photo by kym illmangetty images
Kym Illman - Getty Images

This is by no means Pitt’s first encounter with a bucket hat. He’s been throwing them on and off his head since the mid-'90s, opting for styles from Kangol and Puma that pair nicely with gorpy cargos and tank tops. It was the type of look that remains the blueprint for rave-ready, day festival outfits today.

But Grown-Up Brad reintroduced them into his wardrobe back in 2021, wearing one on the sidelines of the US Open with a more mature long-sleeve polo. Hardly a revolutionary look. But one that highlighted the fact that bucket hats aren't just the headwear of finger-in-the-air two-steppers chugging back water, traveling England fans, and men who spend their weekends tugging at a fishing rod, as per their origins.

Then, the very same hat made its Hollywood debut in Bullet Train a year later as the sartorial companion to ex-ex assassin Ladybug. The film’s costume designer Sarah Evelyn has said in interviews that the headpiece was Brad’s idea.

Since then, Pitt’s off-duty attire often includes the flared accessory, whether that’s to cover some unruly hair or to complete a more polished look. He’s sticking with it, even as the menswear trend cycle has moved definitively in favor of a slogan-laden baseball cap. That’s just a testament to how engrained the accessory is within Pitt’s style. In fairness, he makes a good case for its comeback—and you have to admire the dedication.

If you’re new to this type of silhouette, keep it simple by going for neutral tones devoid of print. You may even match the effortless cool Pitt exudes in them—a bucket list moment, for sure.

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