- Categories:
- Fun
- Tags:
- Fashion
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 15
- Holiday emoji:
- 👒
Straw Hat Day shades the calendar every May 15, inviting everyone to don this iconic and versatile accessory. From elegant wide-brims to casual fedoras, straw hats offer both sun protection and a statement of style. Discover the perfect straw hat for your look, explore its rich history, and join the global celebration of this summer staple.
Want to sponsor Straw Hat Day? Learn how
Expected Straw Hat Day Deals
As Straw Hat Day approaches on May 15, expect retailers to unveil stylish promotions on this quintessential summer accessory. While official 2027 deals are yet to be announced, history suggests major fashion and outdoor brands will offer discounts. Look for special offers from brands like Brixton, known for their classic and contemporary designs, and Lack of Color, a favorite for trendy, wide-brimmed styles. Department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s often feature sales on their seasonal hat collections, while outdoor retailers like REI might highlight sun-protective options from brands like Sunday Afternoons. Keep an eye out for independent boutiques and online hat specialists like Goorin Bros. or Hat Attack, which may offer unique handcrafted pieces. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 15 approaches.
Platform Guide for Straw Hat Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #StrawHatDay. Share your favorite straw hat look, a flat lay of your collection, or a reel showcasing different styling ideas.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #StrawHatDay. Create a ‘Get Ready With Me’ video featuring a straw hat, or a quick tutorial on how to care for your hat.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #StrawHatDay. Post photos of your family or friends enjoying the day in their straw hats, or ask for recommendations for local hat shops.
Straw Hat Day Hero
Philip C. Johnson
History of Straw Hat Day
The origin of Straw Hat Day is unclear. It started in New Orleans in the late 1910s. The day marks the beginning of summer, with people switching their winter headgears to the spring/summer ones. On the other hand, at the University of Pennsylvania, Straw Hat Day was observed on the second Saturday of May, the day being the principal spring celebration for undergraduates and a ballgame. The day was said to be widely accepted in Philadelphia that no one in the city dared wear a straw hat before the ballgame.
A straw hat, a brimmed hat woven out of straw or straw-like materials, is not only for protection but for style, and even it becomes a symbol. And it has been around since the Middle Ages. In Lesotho, ‘mokorotlo’ — a local name for the straw hat — is worn as part of the traditional Sotho clothing. It’s a national symbol. The ‘mokorotlo’ also appears on their flag and license plates. In the U.S., the Panama hat became popular due to President Theodore Roosevelt wearing it during his visit to the Panama Canal construction site.
Popular straw hats include boaters, lifeguards, fedora, and Panama. A boater or straw boater is a semi-formal warm-weather hat. It’s the type of straw hat worn by people around the time Straw Hat Day began. The boater is made from stiff sennit straw, with a stiff flat brim and striped grosgrain ribbon around its crown. It’s still a part of the school uniform in numerous boys’ schools in the U.K., Australia, and South Africa. Although men are seen wearing the boater, the hat is unisex. So, you can style it with your outfit, ladies.
Straw Hat Day timeline
Traders sell straw hats and fashion fad trends.
Basotho introduces wearing mokorotlo as part of the traditional attire at village meetings.
President Theodore Roosevelt visits the Panama Canal, wearing a Panama hat.
People switch their winter hats to their spring/summer straw hats.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Straw Hat Day
Local boutiques and fashion retailers can celebrate Straw Hat Day by hosting in-store styling events, showcasing different straw hat looks for various occasions. Restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating might offer a ‘Hat-tastic’ discount for patrons wearing a straw hat. Photography studios could run special portrait sessions featuring clients in their favorite straw hats, capturing the essence of summer style and tradition.
Straw Hat Day FAQs
When is Straw Hat Day?
In 2027, Straw Hat Day is observed on a Saturday, May 15, making it an ideal day for outdoor festivities and showcasing your favorite headwear.
How popular are straw hats?
Globally, the straw hat market continues to see robust growth, driven by fashion trends and increasing awareness of sun safety. Millions are sold annually, cementing their status as a wardrobe essential.
What are the most popular types of straw hats?
Beyond the iconic Panama and wide-brim styles, straw fedoras, visors, and cowboy hats crafted from straw are also highly popular. Each offers a distinct look and level of sun protection, catering to diverse tastes and activities.
What is the history behind Straw Hat Day?
While not an official holiday, Straw Hat Day emerged from a historical fashion tradition where men would transition their headwear from winter felt to summer straw. It was a cultural marker for the warmer months, celebrated by donning the lighter, cooler material.
Straw Hat Day Activities
Wear a straw hat
You must wear a straw hat to celebrate its day. The boater, fedora, or Panama, pick your preference. Celebrate the day and head off of the sun.
Tell people about the day
Shoot some photos of you wearing your favorite style of straw hat. Share them on your social media to let others know what day it is.
Purchase one
Straw Hat Day is also for those who haven’t got a straw hat. Choose your favorite styles of straw hats and buy one so that you can join the celebration.
5 Facts About Straw Hats You Need To Know
The Panama hat isn’t from Panama
The hats were hand-woven in Ecuador and then exported to Panama in the 19th century.
Atalia Bis & Partners Company
They made a big straw hat with a diameter of 21 feet nine inches and was eight feet six inches high.
It caused Straw Hat Riot in 1922
In New York, a fight broke out because some didn’t stop wearing straw hats after summer.
Coco Chanel loved it
In the early 20th century, she made the boater hat fashionable for women.
Boater was originally a women’s hat
Before being adopted as menswear, the boater was worn by women and children in the 1860s.
Why We Love Straw Hat Day
It keeps you cool
Wearing a straw hat protects you from the harsh rays of the Sun and keeps you cool. Not only temperature-wise but style-wise too.
To try a new style
Whether you already own one or not, Straw Hat Day can be the day for you to buy a new straw hat. The options styles to choose from are numerous.
It doesn’t go out of style
No matter the year, you can always wear a straw hat as part of your summer style. From boater to Panama or fedora to lifeguard, it never goes out of style.
Social Media Tips for Straw Hat Day
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