Oriental Hat Retail Stores

Asian-Style Hat Shapes

The shapes grouped under this heading come from practical sun and weather wear across Asia: the conical straw hat, wide and light, that shades the whole face and neck; taller pagoda silhouettes; and wrapped and tied cloth styles. Conical hats are traditionally woven from palm, bamboo or straw in fine, water-shedding layers, and they hang from a chin tie or sit on an inner headband so air circulates underneath - a design that stays cool in strong sun. Modern versions keep the geometry and add adjustable inner bands and fabric trims. Because the brim is the shade, check its diameter against your use: a garden and beach hat wants the widest disc, while a market or festival hat is easier in crowds a size narrower.

Knitted and Felted Alternatives

Not every shopper wants woven straw. Constance Willems Design, the maker listed here, works in knitted and felted constructions, including fabric wrap and headband designs made in Germany - softer, warmer interpretations of wrapped headwear that suit cooler weather and travel packing better than rigid straw. When choosing, decide first whether the job is sun shade, in which case a wide conical brim wins, or warmth and packability, in which case a knitted or felted wrap style is the practical pick.