A summer where cute or cool comes down to your straw hat. The image-changing power of a straw hat.

For outings from spring through summer, a hat is essential for protecting yourself from UV rays. Compared to a parasol, a hat means less to carry and makes it easier to walk through town or crowded places, so a simple hat is the way to start. Adding just one hat opens up a whole new range of styling possibilities, and pairing even the simplest outfit with a good hat pulls the whole look together. There are hats of all shapes, but what matters most is that it's a "good" hat. What we're introducing here are good hats—hats with fine quality and good design, the kind that become part of a story in the life of the person wearing them.

CHECK! The shapes and materials of straw hats.

Even hats that look like they're made from the same material at first glance are actually made from a wide variety of different materials—there's a surprising amount of diversity under the umbrella term "straw hat." Let's start by reviewing the characteristics of each type.

Named for its resemblance to an upside-down bucket, the "bucket hat" is said to have originated with hats made of wool worn by farmers and fishermen in Ireland, but the most common versions today are made of cotton or canvas fabric. With its casual look, it's often seen at outdoor festivals and other outdoor scenes, but in recent years it's gained attention for appearing in a variety of materials, including straw and fur. Because the brim is short, it doesn't get in the way even if you keep it on while riding the train, making it a reassuring choice for everyday wear.

Bucket Hat Britton

This is a straw hat in the bucket hat style. Above all, its compact, no-nonsense form is wonderful. Worn with sweeter clothing, the demureness of the raffia and its girlish impression harmonize beautifully, making it a piece that draws a second glance from passersby.

Made using raffia (a natural plant fiber) from Madagascar, this bucket hat is carefully crocheted with a gentle, sweet texture that lends it a warm feeling. Worn under sunlight, light filters through it like sunbeams through leaves, brightening the wearer's expression.

The hat itself has a soft feel and can be folded compactly, so it's easy to tuck into a bag or pocket for convenient carrying. This ease of use for travel and outdoor activities is one of the reasons bucket hats are so treasured.

The "Panama hat" is known by name as a luxury hat. Strictly speaking, however, a Panama hat is different from a straw hat. So what exactly is the difference?

The difference between a straw hat and a Panama hat lies in the "material." It comes down to whether the hat is made using wheat straw or other natural grasses, or the luxury Panama grass. Panama grass, grown in Ecuador right on the equator, is highly heat-resistant and remarkably durable—it's said that with proper care and storage, a hat made from it can last as long as ten years. Panama hats are made by finely splitting this grass and weaving it, mostly by hand, by a small number of skilled Ecuadorian artisans, which places them among the finest of spring and summer straw hats. The tighter the weave, the higher the quality considered to be.

Ecuador Hat Boater

Even when we say "Panama hat," the shapes vary widely. While the fedora-style crease seems to be the most common, this hat has an easy-to-wear shape more like a boater hat. Woven so finely that no light passes through, the supple Panama grass keeps the brim from sagging and helps the crown hold its shape.

The Ecuador hat originally came about to protect the people of equatorial Ecuador from intense UV rays. With its neatly arranged weave and crisply set brim, it makes for a dignified styling choice. Yet because it's also a straw hat that suits casual outfits, you can wear it out for a walk around the neighborhood, which is part of its appeal. It seems fair to call this a hat that delivers both style and sun protection at once.

The orthodox version is often made of felt, but thanks to its cool look that suits both men and women, its popularity, and its basic versatility that pairs easily with anything, this shape is made not only from straw but from a variety of materials. Its silhouette also varies widely—some have broad brims, some have a creased crown, some differ in crown height—making it a hat with a lot of individual character.

Zack Sr Panama Straw

The creased crown is a shape often seen on Panama hats, and this hat is named "Panama Straw" for that very Panama-hat quality. The material used is natural straw, but it was made by genuine, seasoned artisans in Ecuador. The beautiful weave, so tightly worked that no gaps are visible, gives off a real sense of refinement.

The brim of the hat is on the shorter side, giving it a small, charming impression somewhat like a boater hat.

The name may not be very familiar in Japan, but this is the shape of hat you'd picture if you imagined the hats worn by Boy Scouts. In North America, it's worn as the official cap for the military and police. Its distinguishing features are the four dents pressed into the top of the crown and the brim, which extends horizontally.

Brisa 4-Dent Campaign Hat (Panama Hat)

The campaign hat carries an image of Boy Scouts and might seem casual, but change the material and construction, and the impression shifts to something elegant. This carefully woven Panama grass hat, paired with a slim black ribbon, quietly lends it a touch of charm—a curious hat that manages to look both cool and crisply beautiful at the same time.

For a relaxed resort style, people tend to reach for wide-brimmed, easygoing hats, but daring to wear a slightly sharper, edgier hat instead can create a look that feels distinctive and effortlessly sophisticated. Inside the hat is a stamped mark that lets you sense it was handmade by a craftsman.

This Brisa 4-Dent Campaign Hat (Panama hat) uses the high-quality panama straw that panama hats are known for. Around 1980, the panama hats sold in America were mass-produced items coated and hardened with a resin called shellac, making them brittle and easily damaged. The founder of SANFRANCISCO HAT was completely captivated after encountering, in the outskirts of Montecristi—the famed home of panama hats—a lightweight, soft, top-quality panama hat capable of blocking the sun perfectly, and this experience became the catalyst for launching the brand. Aiming to create hats that prioritize a wearing experience unlike anything before, every detail has been carefully considered. For example, the sweatband uses "Coolmax," a high-performance fabric with excellent quick-drying properties, and the brand insists on in-house production, with each hat woven by hand, one by one, by craftsmen at its California factory—making every single hat warm with a character that mass-produced items simply cannot match.

CHECK! We tried wearing the hats outside.

Straw hats take on different characters depending on their shape. Even with a simple outfit, you can see how just putting on a hat completely changes the mood.

These two, with their short brims, give a casual, sweet impression from any angle.

These two, with their long, tidy brims, gave a handsome, sharp impression.

CHECK! How to Style a Straw Hat

・The Key Is the Ribbon

The ribbons used as accents on hats come in various materials. Paying attention to the ribbon reveals how the mood differs depending on the style. Let's take a closer look at the ribbons on the hats introduced on ZUTTO.

◆Cord-Type Ribbon

A design where a thin cord ribbon of the same material serves as a subtle accent is often seen in HELEN KAMINSKI hats. The cord ribbon has a casual, natural feel, and it's also a clever feature that lets you adjust the size by cinching it tight. Since the color and material match the body of the hat, it provides just the right accent without leaning too far into elegance, giving the ribbon a charming, endearing quality as well.

HELEN KAMINSKI Product List

◆Wide Ribbon

This is a classic-design hat that has been loved for a long time. Its elegant impression isn't swayed by trends, so it can be worn for years. The dark brown ribbon adds a subtle touch of color, and wearing it creates a soft yet crisp, refined atmosphere.

CTH 1885 Product List

◆Trailing Ribbon

Raffia Hat lucy

This hat has the best of both worlds, combining a casual and elegant mood. The design, with ribbon trailing down near the ears, is popular among a wide range of women, and the way it sways in the breeze creates a cool, refreshing look. It's easy to wear, whether for shopping or a quick errand nearby, making it a hat with plenty of occasions to shine.

Straw hats have long been loved not just as sun protection but as part of one's fashion. Their high fashion sensibility and the sheer variety of designs and shapes are proof of that. Whether you choose to cherish one hat for years to come, or enjoy switching between different styles, this is an accessory that will continue to be loved without ever going out of fashion—so it might be a good idea to find your favorite one this year.

▼CTH 1885 Product List