Fascination For Straw Hats

For as long as there have been hats, there have been women’s hats. During the Middle Ages, they were called cowls, though this name seems to be far removed from the term we use today. In recent years, however, many fashionistas have come to embrace the wide brim hat as an icon of style. These hats are not only sought after for their visual appeal but also because of their functionality. They protect the ears and neck from harsh weather conditions and provide additional cover over the head when a hat is required but not worn.

A wide brimmed hat with an upright, circular band, straight and narrow crown, and square (or bug) shaped peak is called a felt hat. It’s commonly worn by many law enforcement personnel and military personnel, and even some individuals in medical service professions who often wear full-body uniforms. Felt hats are made of a variety of materials including velvet, felt, acrylic, fleece, and cotton. The felt is usually stitched tightly around the rim so that it doesn’t slip.

A straw hat, also sometimes referred to as a frizzy cap, is a cap worn by both men and women. Straw hats were popular among the upper class in modern day Italy, and the style has remained a fixture of many Italian American cultural organizations. In the US, a straw hat is typically sported by members of a specific ethnic group such as Native Americans, Caribbean-American, Irish, or Spanish. Straw hats are traditionally worn during the summer months; however they can be worn all year around if desired. Today, the wide-brimmed straw hat is very popular among college students as it permits their hair to show off their natural look, unlike a felt hat which is required to be covered up during school.