Use
Men's flat-topped straw hats, most commonly known as boaters, were primarily used as lightweight, formal-to-casual summer headwear during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They provided sun protection while remaining breathable for warm-weather activities like boating, sailing, and garden parties. In the early 1900s, this hat marked the official switch from felt to straw hats in the USA, signaling the start of summer.