Boater Hats

A hat of many names, the boater hat is one of the most popular hats in the entire world. It is known as a boater hat, straw boater, skimmer, sennit hat, and many other colloquial names. The hat reached its peak popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The hats were traditionally made from the sennit straw with a wide grosgrain hat band. They have a flat top and flat brim. To keep their stiff shape they were dipped and painted with a thick shellac or hat stiffener to help them stay durable and keep their rigid shape. Today the hats are made from a wider range of materials including wheat braid, panama straw, paper straw, or cheap plastic for party store costumes. However, the authentic Italian boater hats are still made from the same Sennit straw. During the peak of their popularity, especially around the 1920s, boater hats could be seen worn by everyone. Today their popularity has dwindled and they are most often seen on Barbershop Quartets or rowing teams. Many famous celebrities were known for sporting a boater hat including actors Harold Lloyd and Maurice Chevalier.