The Boater Hat: This Oval Straw Hat

What is a boater hat made of?

Boater hats are most often made from natural straw. This can be all types of straw, flat or braided to compose a boater hat. The typical boater hat has a flat crown as well as flat brims. It will most often be adorned with a thick external grosgrain ribbon, either striped or plain, all around the crown.

The history of the boater hat

The boater hat as we know it actually comes from the Arawak canaoa meaning canoe; and from the Spanish canoa meaning small boat. This headwear is a straw hat with an oval shape, flat crown and brim, which was first worn by women then men, and was made fashionable by boating enthusiasts, hence its name at the end of the 19th century.

From 1860 until the 1930s, this headwear was the elegant hat par excellence. During this period, it was one of the symbols of carefree living and joie de vivre, as notably shown to us by Renoir in his famous painting entitled Luncheon of the Boating Party.

As surprising as it may seem, boater hats were primarily worn by women and children in the 1860s. The boater was only adopted by men 20 years later (1880). After being adopted into men's wardrobes, it quickly became popular in the category of summer hats.

This model was very popular in the 19th and 20th centuries and was not only worn on a daily basis but also during boat trips or sailing, hence its English name boater hat which means the boat hat.

In Paris, the first sailboats appeared at the beginning of the 19th century, and the police authorized their circulation under certain conditions, of course. The boat then became a form of entertainment, rowing became a pleasure just like slumming it in the various open-air cafés and other pleasure spots of that era. At that time, Parisian boaters didn't want to remain "bourgeois" while driving their boats, and that's why they adopted a costume inspired by that of sailors, and their regulatory hats of the time.

Its success was also popularized through Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972), one of the most popular French Music Hall artists in the Roaring Twenties, as well as a recognized actor in Hollywood in the 1930s. As we can see in this photograph, the way of wearing it was codified, fashion at the time dictated that it be worn tilted forward, and inclined with "casualness" over the ear.

Boater hats were also widely worn by women when they undertook sports, especially cycling, and allowed them to assert their social status. Here too, the boater hat had an icon, and not just any, as it was Gabrielle Chanel (1883-1971) otherwise known as: Coco Chanel; she wore this hat in reaction to the heavily decorated headwear of women of the time. It was at this point that the shape of the boater, which had been invariable until then, underwent some modifications in its dimensions according to fashion trends: more or less narrow or more or less high.

The Tradition of Straw Hat Day 

In the past, when all men wore hats, there was a special day when they had to put aside their felt hats for straw ones. Of course, the exact date of this special day varied from one place to another.

Where are you most likely to see boater hats worn? 

Unfortunately, boater hats are very rarely worn these days. Despite this, you can see them at outdoor events, particularly music concerts. You may have noticed that boater hats have become the centerpiece of jazz musicians' outfits or among school uniforms in England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 

How to wear the boater hat?  

Nowadays, few men dare to wear the boater hat on a daily basis. We can't blame them, it's true that the boater is a very beautiful hat for summer but it's not necessarily an accessory that goes with all outfits and styles. The boater hat is also a hat that doesn't suit all face shapes.

As mentioned previously, the boater hat is a rather formal hat for summer. Thus, to wear it in the best way, we advise you to pair it with a blazer or a summer suit. Moreover, it's important to take into account that it will enhance certain face shapes more than others.

Generally, wide brims will complement oval shapes more while small brims will enhance rounder shapes. But keep in mind that it also depends on how you wear it, the more confident you are, the more the hat will know how to compliment you! 

 The boater hat is now worn on many occasions, such as jazz performances or concerts, country festivals, vintage car collector meetings, and of course in films depicting this period like in The Great Gatsby ...

Conclusion

Even if the boater hat will require you to wear it with a little more ease than other shapes, like the Panama or the straw porkpie, we are convinced that you will wear it brilliantly! 

And what do you think of the boater hat? Give us your opinions in the comments.