The Top Gun Hat meme stems from the cultural resurgence of the Top Gun franchise following the massive success of the 2022 sequel, 'Top Gun: Maverick'. It typically features Maverick’s signature flight gear, particularly the naval aviator cap or helmet, representing peak confidence, skill, and sometimes reckless bravado. The meme is used to describe situations where someone is acting like a 'maverick' or trying to look cool while performing everyday tasks. It taps into 80s nostalgia while celebrating the high-octane energy of the films and Tom Cruise's timeless action-hero persona.