The Bucket Hat Guide from Imperial 1916

A bucket hat can finish a casual outfit, complement a golf look, or give you coverage for a day outdoors. The challenge is choosing the right shape for the way you plan to wear it.

A shorter bill, a wider brim, a different fabric, and a different fit all change how a hat wears. Imperial 1916 has made headwear since 1916, and its Bucket Hats and Sun Protection collections let you compare the details that matter before you choose.

What is a Bucket Hat?

At Imperial, "bucket" covers two different hats. One is the Oxford bucket hat with the shorter bill. The other is the wide-brim sun protection hat, which the company also calls a bucket.

That is why the label alone will not tell you what you are getting. The brim, the fabric, and the coverage all depend on which of the two you are looking at, so compare the specific hat rather than the word on the collection page.

Two named examples make the difference concrete. The 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat is the traditional short-bill style. The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat keeps that shape in a different fabric. Wide-brim sun protection hats sit in the Sun Protection collection alongside both.

The Main Bucket Hat Styles

The two hats Imperial calls buckets differ in three ways: fabric, brim, and fit. Start with those three and the choice gets simple.

Below are the styles Imperial actually sells, named as the storefront names them.

1371 - The Oxford Bucket Hat

The 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat is the classic short-bill style. Its fabric is a poly/cotton blend (bucket is 100% cotton, ribbon is polyester grosgrain), which gives it a familiar, broken-in feel.

It works with casual clothing, relaxed golf outfits, and everyday outdoor wear. If you want the traditional look rather than a performance fabric, this is the one.

1371P - The Oxford Performance Bucket Hat

The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat is 100% performance poly with grosgrain ribbon, and its brim size is 2 1/4". It keeps the Oxford shape in a lighter fabric.

Choose it when you want the short-bill silhouette but expect to wear the hat for a full round or a long afternoon outside.

Wide-Brim Sun Protection Hats

A wide-brim sun protection hat features a broader brim that extends farther around the head. That shape shades your neck and ears in a way a short bill does not, and it reads as a more substantial outdoor hat.

Imperial's Sun Protection collection holds both the Oxford buckets and the wider styles. Compare the brim shape and the fabric on the individual product page rather than assuming every hat with a brim behaves the same way.

Cotton and Performance Fabric

Fabric is the biggest split once you have picked a shape. Cotton gives you a traditional hand and a softer look. Performance poly gives you a lighter hat.

The 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat is the cotton option: poly/cotton blend fabric; the bucket is 100% cotton, and the ribbon is polyester grosgrain. The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat is the performance option: 100% performance poly with grosgrain ribbon. Same shape, two different feels.

How to Choose the Right Bucket Hat Fit?

Measure your head, then match the measurement to Imperial's published sizing chart. A well-fitting hat sits securely without pressure on your forehead or the sides of your head.

Too small and it feels restrictive. Too large and it shifts when you turn your head. Imperial's sizing chart publishes four fits:

• Standard Fit 7 1/8 to 7 5/8 (57.6cm circumference)

• Small Fit 6 3/4 to 7 1/8 (55.6cm circumference)

• Junior Fit 6 1/2 to 6 7/8 (54cm circumference)

• XL Fit 7 3/4 to 8 (60cm circumference)

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Small Fit is based on head circumference, not gender. The chart is the same for everyone, and Women's Fit is the category name rather than a separate measurement standard.

Measure Before You Choose

Use a flexible measuring tape to measure around your head. Imperial's own guidance is to "measure your head exactly where the hat will sit, which will usually be the largest point". Keep the tape level, and don't pull it tight.

Then compare your measurement with the chart. If you land between two sizes, Imperial's guidance is to "choose the next largest size".

Consider Crown Depth

Crown depth changes how a hat feels and how it looks on you. A deeper crown sits lower and reads as more substantial. A shallower crown gives you a more compact profile.

Both Oxford buckets share the traditional bucket shape, so the fit question comes down to your size and how you like a hat to sit. A hat that looks right on a product page can feel different once it is on, so read the size and fit details first.

Think About Brim Shape

Brim shape is the clearest difference between the two hats Imperial calls buckets. A short bill gives you the classic Oxford silhouette. A wider brim gives you more shade and a bigger outdoor look.

The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat has a 2 1/4" brim, which is what keeps it recognizably an Oxford bucket rather than a wide-brim sun protection hat.

Golf Bucket Hats vs Everyday Bucket Hats

The shape is the same. The difference is fabric and how long you will wear it in the sun. For golf, that usually points to performance poly; for everyday wear, to cotton.

Golfers tend to weigh fabric and a look that sits well with golf clothing. Everyday wearers tend to weigh fabric feel and how the hat works with the rest of a casual outfit.

Golf Bucket Hats

For a round, the 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat is the straightforward pick: 100% performance poly with grosgrain ribbon, 2 1/4" brim, and the same short-bill shape as the cotton version.

If you prefer cotton on the course, the 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat does the same job in a poly/cotton blend fabric. Both sit inside Golf Hats, which covers Imperial's full range of golf headwear.

Everyday Bucket Hats

For everyday wear, cotton is usually the easier choice. The 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat is a poly/cotton blend fabric; the bucket is 100% cotton, the ribbon is polyester grosgrain, and it reads as a traditional bucket rather than a technical one.

It works with weekend clothes and casual outdoor plans, and the short-bill shape keeps it low-key.

Which One Should You Choose?

Pick the 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat if you want performance poly and a lighter hat for the course. Pick the 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat if you want cotton and a traditional feel.

Pick a wide-brim sun protection hat if you want more shade on your neck and ears than a 2 1/4" brim gives you. The question is not which category a hat belongs to. It is which fabric and brim you will actually wear.

Shop Now to compare the two Oxford buckets side by side.

How to Style and Choose a Bucket Hat?

Match the fabric to the outfit: cotton with casual clothes, performance poly with golf clothing and warm-weather outfits. Then check the brim and the size, because those decide comfort and coverage.

Pair the 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat with a polo, shorts, and casual shoes for a classic look. The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat sits more naturally with golf clothing and lightweight outdoor kit.

Color matters too. Neutral shades are easy to coordinate across a wardrobe, and brighter colors make the hat the standout piece.

Explore Imperial's Bucket Hats

Imperial's Bucket Hats collection includes classic and performance styles; Golf Hats covers the full range of golf headwear; and Sun Protection features wide-brim styles alongside Oxford buckets.

The 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat gives you the traditional cotton version. The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat gives you the same shape in 100% performance poly with grosgrain ribbon and a 2 1/4" brim. Consider the brim, crown, fabric, and fit based on how you'll wear it.

Shop Now and find the Oxford bucket that suits your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a bucket hat with glasses?

Yes. Make sure the crown and brim sit comfortably without pressing on your frames, and use the sizing chart rather than guessing, because a hat that is slightly too small usually causes pressure.

How do I keep a bucket hat from looking too floppy?

Choose the fabric that holds the shape you want. The 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat is 100% performance poly with grosgrain ribbon, and the 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat is a poly/cotton blend fabric with a softer hand.

Can a bucket hat be worn in cooler weather?

Yes. Fabric determines how it feels, so choose the cotton 1371 Oxford Bucket Hat or the 1371P Oxford Performance Bucket Hat based on the conditions you expect rather than the season on the calendar.

How should I store a bucket hat between uses?

Store it in a cool, dry place where it keeps its shape, and avoid crushing the brim or leaving it under heavy items. Imperial recommends spot cleaning by hand with cool to warm water and mild detergent, after testing in an inconspicuous area.

Can I customize a bucket hat?

Imperial Custom's own line is "Easily add your logo to any Imperial style!" Check the product page for the specific style to see what is offered there.