The Glorious Place of Straw Hats in American History
August 3, 2009 by StrawFashion
Filed under Apparel & Accessories
Straw hats became popular among American women way back in mid-1700s. A variation of the Shepherdess hat made from straw was developed and quickly gained wide following in continental America.
Before this, American women usually wore the unfashionable cotton cap or the flimsy bonnet. But the introduction of the flexible brimmed, wide-topped, and rustic straw hats completely revolutionized the fashion sense of American women during those times.
The History of Straw Hats
Since antiquity, straw hats were already very popular. These types of hats were used by the ancient Greeks. The use of straw hats for men and women never waned. In fact, hats made from straw were also very popular in continental Europe and Asia during the middle ages and the Renaissance.
The Shepherdess straw hats in colonial America probably came from Europe. But it should be noted that during those times also, a robust industry of straw hat making was in full bloom in Southern America specifically in Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and the Caribbean Islands.
In fact, during the early 1800s, Ecuador was already exporting straw hats to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. These hats were the favorite headgears of those who were seeking gold. They mistakenly called the straw hats from Ecuador as Panama Hats.
So from California, straw hats for men quickly spread across United States replacing the traditional felt hat.
The Boater Hats
One particular straw hat for men completely dominated the hat market in America from 1890 until the early 1930’s. This was the boater hat and it became the universally accepted type of hat for American men.
The Boater straw hat was wide brimmed. American men wore this type of hat slightly tilted. It was a very simple hat with few or no adornments. Some types of Boater straw hats have hatbands as highlights or extra designs.
Although the Boater was primarily designed for men, American women soon learned to accessorize it. They made the Boater straw hat more feminine by incorporating new designs and accessories on its top and brim.
That is why during the years before the Second World War, the Boater straw hats were the standard headgear of men and women of America.
Modern Straw Hats
Different designs and types of straw hats became extremely popular during the late 30’s until 1950s. That is because Hollywood actors and actresses also started using fashionable straw hats in the movies.
The Canadian Pink straw hat, with floral decorations on the brim, was the favorite of high society during 1942. A novelty straw hat, called American Pancake, was developed in 1950. This type of hat was used for special occasions. Female celebrities also started sporting round topped sun straw hats during the 50’s. This type of straw hat was developed in England but became very popular in America.
Straw hats have a special place in American history. These simple but highly functional hats redefined American fashion. Until today, trendy and chic straw hats are still very popular among America’s younger generations.
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