Can You Pull Off a Trucker Hat Like Justin Bieber?

And do you even want to?

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Justin Bieber's style has significantly evolved in the last couple years, and with his album cycle and tour in full swing, we're getting almost daily updates on his wardrobe. And we're not complaining; after all, we named him one of the best dressed men of last year. However, throughout all the changes, there is one piece that (for better or worse) that's has maintained a preferred spot in Bieber's rotation—the trucker hat.

Yes, he wears quite a variety of head gear, but in a time where "dad" caps are atop everyone else's heads—​from Kanye West and Travis Scott to President Obama—​it seems Justin is as dedicated as ever to Ashton Kutcher's all-time favorite accessory. Fashionably speaking, we haven't seen the trucker get this much action since somewhere around 2003, the era of Ed Hardy and Paris Hilton. Bieber was only nine years old at the time, and his very memorable haircut did not leave much space for hats as self-expression then. But, around two years ago, Bieber started to make the switch from primarily snapbacks to mesh-backed truckers and hasn't turned back. Donning brands like Starter at first, he's now moved on to others like the And Suns one he wore while vacationing with "pal" Hailey Baldwin, or the plain black variety, which he wore fully fitted in Off-White on Jimmy Fallon, or with his leopard Saint Laurent jacket at the 2016 Grammys.

Despite the co-sign from Yung Bieber, we must question: Is the trucker hat something or just his thing? There is absolutely no doubt about the influence of skate culture in fashion at the moment, and combined with the popularity of vintage, distressed band tees—like those from Bieber's personal favorite label, Fear of God—is the effect really that far off from the days of Christian Audigier's rock-and-roll inspired lines (sans bedazzling) nearly a decade ago?

Fortunately, this is a pretty low-risk move, so you have some room to experiment. You can get your hands on a trucker hat for cheap; if you find out you can't rock it like he does, it's really no big deal. And, no matter what, it's definitely a less permanent homage than, say, a pair of angel wings tattooed on your neck. Either way, take it from Pharrell, who knows his way around this style: When it comes to wearing trucker hats, there are no regrets.

 

adidas Originals

Not Available Interstitial

Saint Laurent

Not Available Interstitial

James Pearse

Not Available Interstitial

Patagonia

Not Available Interstitial

VANS

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Style