Summer essentials
Basic knowledge of "straw hats"
Straw hats are a must-have item for summer, as they provide excellent protection from the sun and elevate outfits that tend to be casual during this season. Many straw hats are made from delicate materials and can be difficult to handle, so this time we will introduce the characteristics of each material and basic handling methods.
Straw hat material
Originally, the term "straw hat" referred to hats made from straw, but now it refers to any hat that resembles a straw hat in shape or texture. The characteristics and handling methods vary depending on the material, so we will first introduce the types of materials that are commonly used.
Panama
Panama is a palm leaf native to Ecuador and Colombia called "toquilla grass". It is split, dried, woven, and then molded to finally become a "Panama hat". The finer the mesh, the more beautiful the finished product, but since it is a delicate and fragile material, it requires high skill to weave it.
Raffia
Raffia is made from the dried leaves of the raffia palm, which grows in Africa and Southeast Asia. It has a rougher, tropical feel than Panama. It contains a lot of natural resin, which makes it flexible and durable.
straw
Straw is wheat straw, and hats made from this material are originally called "straw hats." It is relatively durable and has a high UV blocking rate, making it the perfect material for summer. You can also enjoy the changes in color over time as it turns amber the more you use it.
paper
This is a material made from paper that has been processed to increase its durability and to resemble natural grass. It does not crack like natural grass and many of them can be folded and washed, so it is easier to handle than natural grass. It is processed into various shapes, from sheets to woven and blade.
blade
blade is a type of hat made by weaving natural grass or paper into a tape-like string, then weaving it into a spiral shape and molding it into a blade hat. Depending on the material, some braids can be washed or folded, but care must be taken as the threads connecting blade may break.
Handling of straw hats
As we have mentioned, straw hats are made of delicate materials. Please pay attention to the following points when handling them.
・Do not pinch the crown
If you pinch the crown too hard, it can change shape and, depending on the hat, it may even break. Fedoras with crowns that make you want to pinch them are particularly prone to breaking, so hold the brim with both hands.
・Do not get wet
If you leave it wet, it may shrink or get moldy, so wipe it off immediately with a dry towel or handkerchief and dry it in a well-ventilated place. Store it in a place with low humidity!
For more detailed care and storage instructions, please refer here.
9 Recommended Straw Hats
We'll be introducing some straw hats that we especially recommend for this summer, outfit by salesperson according to style!
Foldable Hat
This is a classic hat style with a crease in the center of the crown. It has a classic feel and goes well with both formal and casual outfits.
TABIKAZE 3 TABIKAZE 3 /¥15,840 (tax in)
BUY BUY
KSZ-NAHB-PA422 KSZ-NAHB-PA422 /¥26,400 (tax in)
BUY BUY
TASOGARE WIDE 3 TASOGARE WIDE 3 /¥12,980 (tax in)
BUY BUY
boater hat
Originally made for rowers, this hat is also called a "boater" hat, and has a distinctive square shape. It goes great with Japanese clothing such as yukata!
CAROLINA CAROLINA / ¥38,500 ¥23,100 (tax in) [40%OFF]
BUY BUY
OLD NEW 4 OLD NEW 4 /¥23,100 (tax in)
BUY BUY
AMISCHE3 AMISCHE3 /¥28,050 (tax in)
BUY BUY
Capelin
The wide brim creates an elegant mood, and is known as the "actress hat" style. It is particularly excellent for blocking the sun, and goes well with casual one-mile outfits.
LOLA8 LOLA8 /¥17,600 (tax in)
BUY BUY
VICHE 3 CH VICHE 3 CH /¥10,780 (tax in)
BUY BUY
PEARL RESORT PEARL RESORT /¥39,600 (tax in)
BUY BUY
We also have a wide variety of other straw hats available. As the hot weather is still ahead of us, why not take this opportunity to find your favorite style?