LIFE AFTER: Big Head Bucket Hats
Prologue:
When I started using the internet to push the streetwear brand you know as Spiff Passé, I made a promise to myself that I would be as authentic as possible and honest with my word. I stuck to my vow for a long time, but as the community began to grow and a few more eyes were on the brand, it was becoming tough to be transparent because I was worrying about what people thought.
In short, I was starting to act like something I wasn’t for the sake of public image. It’s not that I was being mad fake or anything; I just wasn’t telling the full truth. I fell into the trap of merely showcasing the wins and hiding the losses.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS:
In comes the bucket hats.
I got a DM on Instagram from a former student of mine, telling me that if I made bucket hats it’d be an instant cop. Her words stuck with me for a while and I vowed that I’d get it done. Bucket hats remind me so much of the aesthetic of Stussy, which is one of my favorite brands. I wanted to pay homage to those that did it before me and figured I’d put my own twist on it using the OG Spiff logo and corduroy material.
I took some time to research different places that would make a cut-and-sew hat for me and stumbled upon the right supplier to do just that. They allowed me to determine essentially everything about the hat. I was allowed to pick the material, the color, and most importantly, the sizing.
Rad, right?
I thought so too until I realized that I knew nothing about making a hat. All I was sure of was that I wanted to make one that fit my big head. I asked the supplier what size the hats typically were and I was told they were made to be the average adult-size aka 58 cm. I figured I’d add 2 cm to this cause bruh. Have you ever seen two centimeters? It’s barely anything; it wouldn’t make that much of a difference, right? RIGHT?!
I could’ve made a sample, but the amount it cost to make one didn’t seem worth it compared to how much I would be paying to make the item in bulk. I decided the risk would be worth it, so I placed an order for 100 bucket hats (no cap) and played the waiting game.
A week later, they sent me a pic of the bucket hat that looked on point. I quickly approved it. Around 2.5 weeks later, the shipment was delivered, so I rushed home to open the package.
Initial reaction: Fire.
Reaction after putting the hat on: Still fire.
Reaction after Arvie tried it on: Good god that hat is huge. LOL
As I looked at the new Spiff product aka the oversized hat on Arvie’s head, I’d be lying if I told you this is how I imagined things playing out. The bucket hats weren’t thaaaaat big. I mean they fit my head, the homie Thomas’ head, my sister’s big ass head, and everyone else with a big head and/or a luscious head of hair. But I was hoping for a fit that was much more universal (I guess I kinda achieved this since it really is one size fits all lmao).
I considered ordering another batch of smaller-sized hats to have a S/M and L/XL option, but since we’re a small business it didn’t feel right to double our inventory at the moment. I thought about taking the L and not dropping these, using it as a promotional product to giveaway with each order instead. I talked to Arvie about it and he gave me his input, but it wasn’t until I met up with some Spiffterns, Michelle and Victoria, that it became clear what I had to do.
THE SOLUTION:
The two of them put the hats on and instantly noted that these were made for some big heads. I joked that I’d name it that so people would know what they were getting themselves into when they copped. We all had a good laugh, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew that was the answer.
These hats fit everyone.
If you got a smaller head, they give you a mysterious, cool dude vibe like Naota in FLCL (which is actually a big reason why I was so down to make bucket hats). If you got a bigger head, the hat looks like the appropriate size for once instead of that baby-sized type fit I know you hate. Given this information, what reason did I have to scheme and try to figure out a way around the fact that these bucket hats are bigger than I anticipated?
There was only one thing to do.
Be real about the product.
CONCLUSION:
Our obsession over social media makes us feel like we aren’t allowed to take an L. Instead of willingly putting ourselves out there, we naturally only want to share our successes because that is typically what our confidence allows us to do. Why would anyone want their community to know that they did something wrong or took a risk that didn’t pan out the way they wanted it to? Because of these Big Head Bucket Hats, I remembered the answer.
In a digital world that makes us question what’s important, it’s refreshing to be real.
PRO TIP:
- If you’re a young brand on the come up, know that the sample is worth it with cut and sew pieces. Trust me. You want to be sure that what you’re investing your money into is exactly what you want it to be.
- If you cop the hat and want a smaller fit, Victoria discovered that these hats actually shrink to perfectly fit small heads.
- All you gotta do is wash it with cold water and dry it on hot.
- If you want me to do it for you, just say so in the notes before you order. I got you.
https://spiffpasse.com/collections/frontpage/products/big-head-bucket-hats
