An elegant straw hat that came into fashion back in the late 1890s. years, was originally invented as a headdress from the sun. But fashionistas quickly appreciated the cylindrical shape of the crown, the elegant small brim, which effectively set off the image, made it look younger and attractive. But we should not forget that the boater was initially part of the men's wardrobe and only later, at the beginning of the 20th century, it became an attribute of women's clothing.
The name “boater” is French, it translates as rower. In Italy, the hat took root as a headdress for gondoliers.
What is a boater?
Of course, over time this headdress has undergone some changes. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the original shape of the crown was slightly modified by fashionistas. They ordered from the craftsmen not only cylindrical hats, but also those with rounded crowns.
This is interesting!
The material of the first boater made was straw, then products were even made from reeds, and dried seaweed was used.
The hat can be of different colors, complemented by ribbons and flowers. Later, headdresses made of colored straw appeared, which further allowed fashionistas to look unusual and diversify their wardrobe.
Features of a boater hat
The hat has changed a little over time. First of all, the standard model has been supplemented with options with wide brims. Since the boater model was intended as a men's model, it initially had a black ribbon as a decorative element. Later, in women's boater models, the ribbon gave way to colored braid, multi-colored silk fabric, which was tied, decorating the hat with a bow or bud, brooch, or feather.
In addition, the color of the ribbon used to decorate the hat can be bright and light, which significantly changes the tradition.
What are boaters made from?
The material of a modern boater is not always straw; very often we see products made from synthetics and felt. If we look at designer hats, they are a full-fledged accessory that complements the classic version of clothing, and not just a product that protects from the sun on the beach.
Modern boaters are made from:
- straw;
- felt;
- knitted fabrics.
Although, the variety of straw hats that we see during the beach period is probably the greatest. Moreover, a quality product can be easily identified at close range. The indicators are:
- natural material;
- perfectly smooth shape;
- fields that hold their shape.
A beautiful outfit usually not only complements a boater, but also transforms the entire image into a bohemian, elitist one.
It is enough to remember past times when a hat was part of the wardrobe of an elegant fashionista, enchantress, or society lady.
Boater hat models
Boater has gained popularity among fashionistas around the world.In style it can be:
- with horizontal margins;
- with rounded fields;
- with a straight horizontal crown;
- with a rounded crown;
- with a cylindrical crown.
Despite the fact that the hat model belongs to the retro style, it is preferred to be worn with ultra-modern things. Many clothing designers include it in their collections not for the summer, but for the autumn or spring seasons, choosing felt as the material. A hat in this design looks very stylish, and if it is also colored, it will suit different styles and styles of outerwear, jackets, and dresses.
On a note!
Another name for a boater is a matlot hat.
Such headdresses look stylish with dresses with flowers or abstract patterns.
Do not forget that such a headdress requires a suitable handbag, and not always in a classic style. At the same time, the color of the product also does not have to be in harmony with the tone of the hat. Diversity is in fashion, mixing textures and shades, sometimes provocative, but always unusual. This is what distinguishes the fashion presented by couturiers from the products of the mass market. In addition, the hat is already a promise to experiment. So, be bold with colors and styles if your outfit includes a boater.
How to properly care for a boater
Let's look at the rules for caring for the most popular models.
- Felt boater.
First of all, you should pay attention to the material from which it is made. If it is a felt hat, then you need to store it carefully. A special hat box is best suited for these purposes.. It will allow the headdress to retain its shape for a long time and not wrinkle the brim. If you don’t have such a box at hand, then you should use a regular package.You just need to place the product in it carefully so that it does not wrinkle and place the bag on a shelf in the closet. Before storage, the cap is stuffed with paper, this will allow the product to retain its original shape for a long time.
Important!
Since felt contains wool, don't forget to include a bag of moth repellent.
If a felt boater becomes dirty, you should first look at where the contamination occurred. If this is the lining area, the lining fabric should be torn off. Then wash and sew back in place. But for hygiene reasons, the lining fabric should be changed every two seasons.
If the outside of the felt is heavily soiled, you should take the hat to the dry cleaner. Under no circumstances should you try to wash the hat yourself or expose it to detergent. The product will easily lose its shape due to home cleaning.
Important!
If you get caught in the rain wearing such a hat, you need to dry it by laying it out on a horizontal surface. The main thing is that there are no heat sources near radiators, which lead to deformation of the felt. Also, do not dry the product in the sun. When drying, the product must not be hung, otherwise the margins will be deformed.
- Straw boater.
A product made from straw can be called quite resistant to stains. If the hat gets wet, simply wipe it with a cloth and dry it on a horizontal surface. It is also best to store the product away from sunlight, in a box or bag.
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