Chain Reaction — Drive ’em Wild with the House of Malakai Chain Fringe Trucker Hat

Believe it or not — years after Von Dutch made trucker hats the go-to accessory for douchey hipsters everywhere — this topper style is making a comeback. Though I wouldn’t encourage using this booming trend as an opportunity to pull a Frank Rossitano and start donning caps with ironic phrases, you can definitely explore the charm these hats: the greater height along the front, the slightly curved bill, the seamless front panels, and the iconic button at the top. Can’t imagine a trucker hat ever being particularly avant-garde? Well, this House of Malakai number might just force you to reconsider.

The House of Malakai Trucker Hat with Chain Fringe ($165 at Atrium NYC), pictured above, adds a dominatrix-flavored, futuristic, rocker chic vibe to a hat style with deep roots in blue collar work. Part of the House of Malakai’s Heliolatry collection, this statement-making accessory is made entirely of black leather and features hammered gold studs along the sides of the front panel, tracing the natural curvature of the seams; a stitched horizontal band atop the brim reminiscent of that found on a military cap and adorned with gold-toned snaps along each of its angled sides; a molded front panel; and gold-toned chain strands dangling from the brim to create a fringed effect, shielding the face as if hidden behind a curtain.

Yes, your vision might be impaired behind the hat’s chain fringe but, hey, as all those feet-pinching heels in your closet  can attest to: fashion can, at times, be a bit painful. But, hey, no pain, no gain, right?