The foam trucker hat, or “gimme hat,” was originally invented in the 1970s as a promotional giveaway for farmers and truck drivers. The lightweight foam and mesh back were designed to keep the wearer cool, making it perfect for hard work on a sunny day. Over time, it became a blue-collar symbol of the rural working class. I love the history behind the trucker hat because it shows how it was once a no-frills item with a true utilitarian function before becoming a popular fashion piece during the Y2K era.
Today, the foam trucker hat is most often a souvenir, the kind you pick up at a local beach bar or from a shop on Main Street. Though seemingly trivial, buying one reflects good times and memories of the places we’ve been, and at American Saturdays, that’s what we’re all about. That’s why we decided each color of the Local’s Hat should represent a different place — and what better places than the spots we love across the USA. We also made sure the colors matched the places. For example, the colors of the Nantucket hat were inspired by the Massachusetts license plate.
Nowadays, some hats sell for $50 to even $100. We love our $25 Local’s foam trucker because it’s a hat you can just throw on and forget about. You don’t have to worry about it getting dirty, muddy, or crushed at the bottom of your bag. Fluff it back up, give it a rinse, and she’s good as new, ready for the next day — just like life. The Local’s Hat is a nod to the places we love, and always ready for your next adventure.
Good Times, No Compromise.
