3 things to know about the Bob, the trendy hat of the summer June 2, 2022 - Posted in: They are Headoniste, Headoniste values, Lifestyle

The bob, the iconic hat of the U.S. Army, has taken over the luxury and ready-to-wear worlds. It is the trend of the summer.

At Headoniste, the bob is displayed in a chic and casual version and always 100% made in France, in jeans or in tie and dy prints for a resolutely trendy look.

But who is Bob?

In the absence of an official paternity, the specialists of the small round and soft hat dispute two versions of the origin of the name.

For the "Robert" team, the name dates back to 1924. A man named "Robert" who could no longer stand top hats and sombreros that blew off in the slightest breeze decided to create a windproof hat to offer an alternative to hats. It was quickly adopted by fishermen and Irish farmers for its ability to protect against UV rays while not obstructing the view.

For the "Roberts" team, the name "bob" was given to the headgear made of fabric or canvas used by the U.S. Army during World War II. The American soldiers were nicknamed the "Roberts" by the French, then the name was shortened to "bob"! These soldiers would have been the first to wear the bob, particularly loved for its fluidity and ease of storage in any bag or pocket without taking up much space. The bob, or "bucket hat" in English, used by the American army was often waterproof, with straps to put ammunition, it was a true utility hat.

Who brought the Bob back to life?

Like many iconic military products, it was very quickly taken up in the civilian world. During the 1951 Tour de France, the Ricard brand was part of the caravan with the "Caravelle Ricard" and decided to rely on bobs printed with its logo to ensure its promotion.

All along the route, the caravan of the Tour sows advertising bobs with the effigy of the famous brand of aniseed drinks. The public was delighted to receive a hat to protect themselves from the sun that they could easily carry everywhere and the Ricard bob was a huge success!

The success of Ricard with its bob declined in different versions over the years gives Cochonou the idea to do the same. That's how bobs bearing the effigy of the French sausage brand appeared along the 2005 Tour de France.

Thanks to their marketing actions, Ricard and Cochonou have acquired a large visibility on the sides of the Tour de France and have used this advertising technique during many editions of the Grande Boucle.

Is the bobsled trendy?

The fashion world appropriated the Bob in the 1980s, thanks in particular to the Kangol brand, which brought it up to date with new materials: terry cloth, velvet, fleece.

It reflects the New York of that time and is part of the signature style of the B Boys [break dancers]. It has since taken root in the streetwear wardrobe, worn by many artists, from LL Cool J, Jay Z, to Rihanna.

In 2013-14, the "normcore" movement of dipping into the popular and simplistic wardrobes of parents and grandparents to create your own style, makes it a must-have for a trendy look.

Today, the bob has taken over the luxury and ready-to-wear worlds. At Headoniste, the bob is displayed in a chic and casual version and always 100% made in France, in jeans or in tie and dye prints.