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The Best Straw Hat

Last updated on September 19, 2022

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Straw has been popular in construction projects for centuries due to its heat transfer properties. With the right placement, straw can keep heat and cold out, insulating what’s inside.

But that’s only one reason straw hats have been popular throughout history. Straw also has a robust breathability, thanks to its lightweight build and the small spaces that are inevitably created when they’re placed together. This keeps air moving, providing a comfortable way to shield your face, head, neck and even part of your chest from the sun.

The key to maximizing your straw hat’s sun protection lies within the brim. A wide brim will jut out over your upper body, providing far more shade than you’d get from other types of hats or caps. Like other types of hats, the material will shield the skin beneath it from the sun’s harmful rays, but with a straw hat, you get that benefit while also keeping breathability.

Straw hats aren’t just big and floppy. You can find straw hats in a fedora style, with a dressy enough look to pair them with your favorite sundress or lightweight blouse. It’s great for vacation, but you can also wear it around town or to lunch with friends.

Another advantage of straw hats among similarly shaped hats using different material is foldability. You can typically compress a straw hat and slip it in your luggage without having to worry about damaging it. That also makes it easy to store when you won’t be wearing it for a while.

With straw, though, you will need to avoid submerging it in water. This means you’ll need to carefully spot treat any areas that need it. There are some straw hats that can be machine washed, though, so look for that if it’s important to you.

Our Picks For The Top Straw Hats

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Lanzom UPF50+ Women’s Wide Brim Straw Fedora

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Lanzom

UPF50+ Women's Wide Brim Straw Fedora

With a 90 percent paper straw build, this hat offers a genuine straw feel while still being comfortable. The circumference is 22.5 percent and should fit most women’s heads, thanks to a built-in rope to let you tighten the fit. A black ribbon above the brim dresses this hat up a little to make it suitable for a variety of occasions and outfits.

Overall Take

Adjustable FitAn internal rope allows you to adjust the fit of the hat to the fit you prefer.

 Runner Up

FURTALK Unisex UPF50 Wide Brim Straw Fedora

FURTALK

Unisex UPF50 Wide Brim Straw Fedora

The wide brim of this hat and UPF-50 protection will help safeguard you from sun exposure. Two different sizes and internal Velcro help you find the perfect fit for your head. It also includes an adjustable and detachable chin strap to help you out on those extra windy days.

Overall Take

Endures Bad WeatherA removable chin strap will hold this straw hat in place even when the wind kicks up.

 We Also Like

Pineapple&Star Unisex UPF50+ Fine Braid Straw Fedora

Pineapple&Star

Unisex UPF50+ Fine Braid Straw Fedora

You’ll get UPF-50 protection with this hat, which is breathable without letting in excessive UV rays. The design allows you to fold it for packing without worrying about it losing its shape. It comes in Small, Medium and Large to help you find the perfect fit for you.

Overall Take

Extra DurablePremium fine paper straw ensures this straw hat will hold up over many uses, retaining its shape even when folded for packing.

 Also Great

DRESHOW Women’s UPF50+ Wide Brim Straw Panama Hat

DRESHOW

Women's UPF50+ Wide Brim Straw Panama Hat

Combine style with comfort using this straw hat, which has a classy look whether you’re pairing it with casual or dressier clothing. It’s machine washable for easy maintenance and the interior sweatband helps wick moisture. You can choose from a variety of colors and band options to find the look that works best with your wardrobe.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsChoose the hat that fits your style with this hat, which comes in a variety of colors and band options.

What to Look For

  • The lightweight build of straw hats can make them tough to keep on your head. If you’ll be in windy conditions, you’ll need to hold on tight. Some straw hats come with adjustable chin straps for that reason. You might opt for one with a removable chin strap so you can go without sometimes.
  • Hat sizes can tend to be limited, which can be tough if your head is larger or smaller than average. You can find hats in Small, Medium and Large, but some straw hats also come with a hidden rope that lets you tighten and loosen the fit around your head.
  • Some straw hats are mixed with other materials, so you’re not getting the lightweight breathability you would with other options. Look carefully before buying to make sure the part that goes over your head is true straw.
  • A decorative ribbon above the brim can give your straw hat a dressiness it wouldn’t have otherwise. This is also great for matching with your clothing.
  • If UV protection is a priority, look for a straw hat that’s tightly woven to minimize light getting through. You can typically tell by looking at the interior of the hat. If you hold it to light, you should see very little peeking through.
  • Since washing a straw hat isn’t an option, you might prefer one that has a fabric lining. You can then clean the fabric without worrying about damaging the straw.
  • Fit is important with a straw hat. Hats tend to shrink over time, but straw doesn’t necessarily stretch back to its original shape. So you’ll want to start with the right fit to increase the chances you’ll get longevity.
  • For best results, go with a neutral band on your straw hat. This will ensure it will work with more of your wardrobe, helping you get a longer life out of it.

More to Explore

The straw hat has been around for centuries, but it hit the height of fashion in the 18th century. A straw hat known as a bergère was all the rage. Also known as a milkmaid hat, this hat featured the wide brim associated with straw hats but had a distinctive flat brim. It also had a chin strap that was typically worn loose.

Historians don’t have to guess at the bergère’s popularity. It can be spotted in many paintings from the time. Women all across Europe wore the hat, including Marie Antoinette. To add a little prestige to the hat, silk was often added to it, which also upped the price. Bergère hats were also often accented with flowers, ribbons and other decorative features.

More to explore