"Stepped out my house stopped short/oh no/I went back in/forgot my Kangol." Slick Rick rhymed about them in 1979 and now men and women are once again showing their love for the retro Kangol hat.
The Kangol logo is one of the most recognizable designers in hat fashion today. Unlike other trendy, hip-hop brands, Kangol has a legendary heritage dating back to 1938 England, where it was founded.
Fifty years later, Kangols became an increasingly popular urban fad.
In 1984, LL Cool J sparked the hat frenzy when he appeared on the cover of his debut album Radio wearing a Kangol. Continuing the trend, LL sports a Kangol in his latest video release, "Love You Better."
However, LL is not the only celebrity known for rocking the Kangol. The Beatles, Princess Diana, Samuel L. Jackson, B.B. King, Missy Elliot, and Jay-Z have all been known to wear the classic unisex hat.
"Kangols have a trendy yet casual flavor. They're fashionable and express confidence. Looking 'chill' is in and Kangols are definitely what's up," said Jasmine Fletcher, a freshman English major.
On the other hand, Weafue Saab, a junior biology pre-med major and owner of five Kangols, wears the hat for a different look.
"Kangol is a pimp hat," Saab said. "If you're not a pimp, don't rock it; just leave it alone.'' In order to wear the hat correctly, Saab suggests a "tilt over the right eye, never to the left-at a 25-30 degree angle. It's what they call a 'mean lean.' "
With bucket hats, caddy hats, and baseball hats, finding the right hat can be difficult.
According to Tim Cassidy, district manager of Lids in Pentagon City Mall, the most popular Kangol out right now is the furry bucket hat.
"We get people from all over the nation of diverse cultures coming in to buy that hat, and of course, the golfer style hat always sells. [Kangols] have been selling strong for the past three years. Everyone wants them, old and young, and they get mad when we sell out."
In order to get one of these "pimp hats" customers might want to have some "pimp money." The furry bucket hat - actually called a furgora -is one of the more expensive Kangols selling for $54. The average price of other Kangols is slightly less, usually anywhere from $35 to $45.
"Young people don't care; they will spend the money just to have what's hot," said Corey Gregory, freshman radio/TV/film major.
Gregory's statement is evident, since Kangol's continue to be a 'must have' fashion accessory.
Whether it's the influence from celebrities, the universal style, or simply the kangaroo logo, males and females alike can't keep their hands off the Kangol.
