Summer Hat Shopping Guide

Panama Straw

Genuine Panama hats are hand-woven in Ecuador, South America from strands of Toquilla grass. Panama straw is light weight, very cool & breathable to wear and resilient to crushing. May be natural off-white or dyed.

Raffia Straw

Raffia straw is grown on the island of Madagascar. This is a heavier straw which is very durable, flexible and offers great sun protection. Natural raffia is a wheat color and may be dyed. Raffia may be braided coarsely or fine. The newer crocheted raffia hats are much cooler.

Toyo Straw

Toyo Straw is a light weight cellulose fiber sewn braid with nylon (for strength & shape) which is flexible and takes dye well. A hat of sewn toyo braid is quite durable and blocks the sun well. This hat is comfortable and forms to the head easily. 

Wheat Straw (Milan)

Wheat straw is braided and then sewn. The flexibility of the hat will depend on how fine the straw is braided; the finer the braid, the softer the hat. One of my favorite straws...durable & classy! Great sun protection. Natural wheat or may be dyed.

Sisal Straw

Sisal Straw is a fine, natural straw used in more expensive hats. Sisel straw hats are one of the few straws still woven by hand. It is resilient in wear and takes dye well. I use it primarily with the Travel Hats.

Horsehair or Sheer

Horsehair Straw was originally woven from hair from horse tails & manes, but now is woven from nylon and called "crinoline" in the millinery trade. The sheer is made stable with a spiral of woven braid (often called Swiss braid). A stiff, lightweight straw which holds shape well and can support an extra large brim. These materials take dye well and come in a wide assortment of colors. Horsehair or crinoline (sheer) is used primarily for dressy hats.

Sinamay Straw

Sinamay is a natural fiber made from abaca yarn from the banana palm. This is an eco-friendly material native to the Philippines. The firm fiber is stronger than cotton or silk is easy to dye and shape thus popular in millinery.  Sinamay is usually stiffened with sizing and shaped. Many dress and church hats made from sinamay straw.