Oscars 2014: Pharrell’s Hat Came Back, For Better or For Worse

The "Happy" performance saw the return of the singer's buzz-worthy chapeau

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The Oscars delivered viewers a performance of Pharrell’s Academy Award-nominated song “Happy,” from Despicable Me 2. That meant lots of people dancing (happily) on stage — and the return of Pharrell Williams’ giant hat.

This particular style appeared on Williams’ head at the Grammy Awards back in February, drawing a flood of commentary — half “What?!” and half “Where do I get that?” There were also Arby’s comparisons. And, of course, a parody Twitter account. Williams told The Hollywood Reporter that the chapeau was designed by Vivienne Westwood, saying that it “would’ve been really stylin’ if I had one from the ’80s” — and many commentators pointed out that the look was a nod to the video for 1982 hip-hop track “Buffalo Girls.”

Now, the hat is back, and it’s already shoe-in for Best Head-Supported Accessory. (Sorry.)

To be fair, it’s not the exact same hat as the Grammys one. That one was brown; this one is black/charcoal. Besides, that hat doesn’t belong to Williams anymore: he auctioned off the Grammys hat for his charity One Hand to Another. Bidding ended at $44,100.

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