AUTHENTIC
STRAW BOATER FROM ITALY!
In
the two original brim styles!
Exclusively from Baron Hats
3" BRIM BOATERS (Bordo
Largo) Available in SIZE 8
ONLY!
Hurry! Quantities limited!!
Liner Detail
It was the Italian immigrants who brought the “Boater” to America in the mid 1800’s. They were called “Boaters” since the hat was originally worn by the famous Gondoliers, but usually with a long doppio nastro, in navy and red.
The “nastro” was modified to a much easier to wear hat-ribbon, also of navy and red. It caught on like wild-fire with the general American public, especially with those in the emerging “middle class” as a festive hat for weekend outings (of course with chaperone!), or in many cases, as a “dress” hat. Being “il cappello della gente”, or “the hat of the people”, the Boater quickly became the costume hat of choice for entertainers, especially on the “people’s stage”, as in light musical’s and vaudeville.
In
Motion Pictures, it has taken on the same famous
status as the bowler and top hat. A song and
dance team, especially if Gene Kelly or Fred
Astaire where involved, is virtually naked without
working the hat into the routine. And in such
movies as “Inherit The Wind”, and the “Music
Man”, the boater became almost a character unto
itself. In fact in the classic comedy “The Italian
Straw Hat”, it did indeed become the “star”
of the film!
It was recently used to great effect in “SEABISCUIT”,
and Baron Hats, not only made the Boater“ hero”
hats (see
"Seabiscuit
Hats") but also thousands
for the big crowd scenes (yes, the boater was
still immensely popular in the 1920’s through
the late 1930’s).
These are Authentic Boaters, exclusively made
in Italy for us, exactly as they were made over
a century ago, in the “pił del normale a strati”
style, which is an amazingly thick and durable
straw weave which will give you great Boater
hat pleasure for years to come.
Many people believe the Boater carries almost
mystical powers. It’s true that when men put
them on, they seemed to attract not only joyous
adventures, but equally joyous women to accompany
them on these newly discovered adventures! Baron
Hats has added a unique and
ingenious internal “sweatband”, made of leather
and special elastic fabrics that gives the hat
a feeling of “floating” on your head, for a
most incredibly comfortable fit!
Baron Hats is offering two sizes, as was the
original custom.
They both have a 3 ½ ‘’ crown and the special
2 ½ Boater ribbon.
The “Bordo Corto” or “Short Brim” has a brim
of 2’’, and the “Bordo Largo” or “Wide Brim”
comes
with a brim of 3’’.
They come in sizes 6 7/8’’ to 8’’. (see
sizing guide
if you need custom information about your hat
size!)
Please
Note: These Authentic Boaters
are hand custom made for us in Italy on an order
by order basis to insure quality. Therefore
it can take approximately three weeks for us
to ship these hats to you. If you need
the hat before then,
please e-mail
us so we can discuss other options
to see if we can rush the hat to you before
then.
PRAISE
FOR OUR BOATERS!
Dearest Mark Mejia;
I just received my straw boater from you and have the widest grin on my face in many, many years! The workmanship is impeccable! An American Summer (and any season for that matter)
classic! I'll be giving it to my kids and grand-kids someday!
In
Motion Pictures, it has taken on the same famous
status as the bowler and top hat. A song and
dance team, especially if Gene Kelly or Fred
Astaire where involved, is virtually naked without
working the hat into the routine. And in such
movies as “Inherit The Wind”, and the “Music
Man”, the boater became almost a character unto
itself. In fact in the classic comedy “The Italian
Straw Hat”, it did indeed become the “star”
of the film! 
