The Trad: The Straw Boater...

07 June 2010

The Straw Boater...

Photograph by Saul Leiter

And an argument for its return. Found hanging in the stairwell of the men's Hermes store in NYC.

11 comments:

M.Lane said...: I have one I bought at Brooks many years ago and it is one fine hat. I used to wear it on Easter and I would receive a lot of compliments on it. My wife HATES it. I will have to roll it out again. Test the waters, that sort of thing.

ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com; 07 June, 2010 08:29
Mr Brown said...: A Secret Order signature and with confirmed sightings at A Love From Outer Space.

The boater has already had been subverted and on the road to velveteen oblivion in London.; 07 June, 2010 09:21
David V said...: I have one but can't find the nerve to wear it...and I have worn neck scarves!; 07 June, 2010 10:34
Keith said...: I love that. Great photo. Thanks for sharing that with us.; 07 June, 2010 10:44
Family Man said...: Alas, the beautiful straw boater is perhaps too far gone for us to hope to resurrect it. Panama hats are still OK, because fedoras are not so completely dead, merely moribund, and you can still see classier men wearing various kinds of panamas in the summer. But I just can't see how someone could wear a straw boater and not have it look like a costume ("hey buddy, where's the rest of your barbershop quartet?" "hey Mac, did you get lost on your way to the costume party?").

Where's the argument for its return? If it came back, I'd wear one--but I won't be the first on my block to give it a shot. My daily dress (coat, tie, nice shoes, hat) is funny enough as is.; 07 June, 2010 12:28
brohammas said...: Amen to the costume. I love the boater but it suffered the same fate as the bowler.

Of course my wife still says "Top o the marnin" to me every time I wear my driving cap.; 08 June, 2010 00:55
michael said...: While you're at it, why don't you revive the Checker cab too?

Ralph Lauren has quite a collection of cars. Saw some of it at the MFA in Boston. Maybe, to sweeten your deal above, you could spearhead the RL Auto division.; 08 June, 2010 20:45
Mr Brown said...: If you like it wear it.

If you're deterred by "voices off" go to The anon. Gap.; 09 June, 2010 03:16
Family Man said...: I always enjoy your comments, Mr. Brown. While I agree with you to an extent, I always keep in mind (usually in the back) that what I wear sends a message.

I would like to be taken seriously. I would like to send the message that I am taking this situation seriously. I do that with a coat, tie, and nice shoes.

A hat says something, too. I hope my fedoras say something like, this guy has a bit of classic flair. I'm afraid that if I were to wear a boater, it would say, this guy hasn't a clue.

Just my 2¢.

P.S. to tintin:

We're still waiting for the "argument for its return." I'd love to see it (or was it the picture?).; 09 June, 2010 16:11
Julia said...: I think the boater could work at a Kentucky Derby party, but only if the party was held in the South. I know several men who would wear seersucker pants and pull this off. But, does that constitute costume party?; 12 June, 2010 15:56
GSV JR said...: Boaters and seersucker are only cliches if you reside on the other side of the M/D. Same for juleps and women w/ men's names--"Hunter," "Forrest," etc.; 14 June, 2010 12:04