Straw Boater Hats

Also known as “Sailor”, “Sennit”, “Boater”, and “Skimmer”. It is the stiff straw hat distinguished by a flat top crown. In the mid 1930’s the “Yacht” accounted for about 50% of the store’s straw-hat sales. By the early 1950’s it had leveled off to somewhat less than 10% of all straw hats sold. The Boater Straw is still considered as one of the most dressy of the straw hats, thoroughly suitable for evening and the more formal occasions, and still preferred by some for all–around wear.

From http://www.millerhats.com/boater_index/boater.html