The Different Varieties of Straw Used for Making Hats

Though hats exist in a variety of forms and textures, the weaving method and the material used are factors that affect every connoisseur’s decision to choose a certain sort of hat. For summer hats, straw is the most preferred material for hat making. People also like to possess a straw hat because of its breathable and lightweight nature. We take them out from our closets only during the summer months to flaunt them and at the same time to protect ourselves from the scorching heat of the sun. The straw hats are perfect summer style accessories as they are 

• Versatile and can be worn with any summer outfit.
• Lightweight and can be carried to any vacation you choose to go.
• Breathable and can be worn comfortably in warm weather.

This article will guide you through the different types of straw a milliner uses for making hats. 

Toquilla straw

Toquilla is a long-lasting and flexible fiber, and it is commonly used to make hats in the Ecuador region. Mostly, people will recognize the hats made out of this type of straw as the Panama hats.  The weaving pattern varies as they are plaited in different ways using fibrous leaves of Ecuador’s Toquilla palm trees. Its elegance is defined by 

• The tightness of the weave 
• The fineness of the weave 
• The time spent weaving a hat out

Raffia straw

This kind of straw is formed by stripping off the Raffia palm’s needle-like elongated leaves. Each leaf may grow to be eighty feet long. As a result, hats crafted with Raffia straws are nearly always braided from a single light-brown strand. Due to its fibrous nature, this kind of straw is an excellent choice for making highly durable hats. Raffia straw is also very flexible due to its organic component. Although Raffia palms are found all along the coast of Africa, only those near Madagascar’s eastern coast are used to make the fiber used for weaving Raffia straw hats.

Seagrass

The seagrass straw is made up of several species of seagrass found along the shallow coastal regions, as its name suggests. They can be polished and hardened to give them a dark yellow tint or left in their original shade of soft-textured green. The loosely woven contours of a seagrass hat provide adequate airflow and can quickly absorb moisture, making it an ideal summer accessory. Even intermittent rainstorms are no match for it.

Toyo straw

Toyo Straw hats are produced in Japan using colorful rice-paper yarns that are usually glazed with plastic. These straws become smooth and turn into a glossy, golden copper or viscose white color once they get their final touch. Toyo straw hats are usually machine-made, which gives them their soft finish and lightweight. As a result, they are often available in the medium to low price range, making them ideal for people searching for an appealing yet affordable budget hat.

Shantung straw

A common myth is that Shantung straws are composed of natural fibers. Shantung was composed originally of paper strands, or “Washi,” derived from the Manila Hemp plant. These plants are commonly found in the Philippines Islands). But these days, Shantung has come to be associated with paper fiber, which is similar to Toyo straw but comes from China. Shantung straw hats are produced from a flat machine woven sheet that is then blocked into the desired forms.

The off-white tint helps to reflect the light, but the weave of these hats is not as tight as other straw hats. Shantung straws cannot tolerate moisture (from sweat or rain) as they are made out of paper. Shantung straw hats have been popular as a less expensive alternative to a Panama hat, accounting for more than half of all hat sales worldwide.

Milan straw

The iconic Milan straw hats have long been admired by hat critics. But, nowadays, Milan straws are viewed with suspicion as they lack real rustic authenticity. The term “Milan straw” refers to the weaving or braiding method rather than the substance. These straw hats are made from varied materials, including hemp and synthetic polymers. However, few makers still use wheat straws instead of artificial synthetic fibers to make the original intricately braided golden-colored hats. These beautifully woven hats can survive wear and tear to a great extent while still looking beautiful. The Milan straw hats are robust and lightweight, despite their dense braiding. Many fashionistas prefer having a Milan straw hat as its elegant look speaks for itself. 

Conclusion

For those who love fashion, their summer wardrobe somehow seems incomplete without a straw hat. Even the summer holiday outings demand a straw hat to give you the much-needed protection against the harsh rays of the sun and the heat. So, do not think twice about keeping a straw hat handy for the coming summer. You never know when it will come to your rescue.