Straw Hat Month
They block the sun, keep the rain off, evoke a simpler time and place, and look timelessly stylish. If you don’t have a straw hat yet, it might be time to get one.
Position straw hats as versatile, timeless spring essentials that blend style with practical sun and weather protection across seasons and climates.
- Spring Style Guide: Why Straw Hats Work Year-Round
- Heritage & Craft: The Global Story of Straw Hat Making
- Sun Protection Meets Sustainability: The Case for Straw
- Celebrity Straw Hat Moments: Timeless Looks Across Decades
Straw Hats have appeared in cultures the world over, and have been made from just about every conceivable form of straw or grass as a result. Some of the most common are wheat straw hats, most commonly found in the Italian Peninsula, rush straws, palm leaves (did you know that a Palm Tree has much in common with grasses? Us either!) and of course rice straw and bamboo that are used in Asian Conical hats. It may seem a bit early to consider wearing a straw hat, especially since most people associate them with warm summer wear, but they really can be appropriate for much of the year, especially in milder climates.
The unique properties of the straw hat make it a great piece of attire no matter what weather you face. Is it hot and sunny out? The woven straw hat will let heat escape while protecting your head from the pounding rays of a mid-day sun. Is it raining? A properly woven straw hat will let the rain roll right off your head and away from your face and clothes, helping you to stay dry. They may not be great when dealing with truly cold weather like snow, but wrapping a cloth around your head under the straw hat will help trap heat while keeping the snow or cold winter rain off your head.
Modern straw hats are sometimes made with plastic strips, laminated grasses, or woven paper, but for our money, we think that traditional straw hats are the only appropriate wear for Straw Hat Month. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.