Boater Hat

A boater hat is usually considered a formal hat; however, they are becoming more popular as a casual hat. You’ll also find them referred to as a basher, skimmer, cady, katie, somer, sennit or can-can hat.

Normally this hat is made stiff straw, either sennit or laichow, with a stiff flat crown and brim, usually with a solid or striped grosgrain ribbon around the crown. Boaters, which were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, were casual summer headgear, mostly used for boating or sailing, hence the name. However, they quickly gained popularity and could be seen all around town, not just on the water. It is told that they were worn by FBI agents as an unofficial uniform in the pre-war years. This hat looks great on women with the use of a vintage hat pin.