American style straw hat

A straw hat can refer to any brimmed hat that is woven out of straw. This hat is designed to protect the head from the sun, as well as protect against heatstroke.

There are several styles of straw hats, but all of them are made of woven straw. Many of these hats are formed in a similar way to felt hats; they are softened by steam and formed by hand or over a block. Finer and more expensive straw hats have a tighter and more consistant weave. Since it takes much more time to weave a larger hat than a smaller one, larger hats are more expensive.

Types of straw hats

Straw hats are commonly blocked into shapes usually found in felt hats.

• Panama hat - a fine and expensive hat made in Ecuador.
• Conical hat - the distinctive hat worn primarily by farmers in Southeast Asia.
• Boater hat - a formal straw hat with a flat top and brim.