Castro's Hat Is Suddenly Hot Fashion Item

The trademark Castro hat is selling like hotcakes in Havana, bought by tourists and Cubans alike, although in neither case as a symbol of socialist support. Although the cap may often feature an image of Che Guevara, Cuban youths have been decorating it with tags from western clothing multinationals like Adidas, Puma or Tommy Hilfiger.

The green hat—along with the still-fashionable "Che beret"—is therefore more a symbol of Cuba's globalization than anything else. Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother Raul for health reasons last July. (More Fidel Castro stories.)