Women Vintage Boater Straw Hat Wide Brim Flat Top Floppy Derby Straw Hat Beach Sun Hats with Chin Strap Brim:18cm Beige

I LOVE the hat! I purchased it for a character costume for children's ministries. A Minnie Pearlish sort. But it creates enough shade for me and you both, and will hold big sunflowers with Southern Gal pride. Mine came the same way everyone else's did... I simply ran warm water in the creases, and gently flattened into shape... Looks right nice, I got me a new Sundee-go-to-meetin' bonnet, them other old biddies gown'ta be a-mite jealous! Warn the Preacher ya'all!

For 18th Century reenacting, I think the crown of the hat is too big. Pictured is the new hat, with two of the hats I purchased in Colonial Williamsburg. The crown of the hat is 2" larger than those from Williamsburg. It probably IS a "boaters hat"; it just doesn't do what I wanted for a colonial hat, unfortunately.

I was doubting this hat before I bought it because of some of the other reviews, but it is actually AMAZING! I got the 18cm brim and it is massive - think car tire. It arrived with 4 corners bent, but I’m not sure why everyone had trouble fixing this. I immediately, upon the hat’s arrival, took a spray bottle filled with water and sprayed the whole brim area of the hat on both sides - top and bottom - just until it was slightly moist to the touch. I then laid it on our washing machine flat with 4 textbooks on top of each bend in the brim. After about an hour and a half (maybe 2?), the hat dried completely and the bends were completely gone. Not even a crease was left. I placed the books back on for another few hours to be sure, and as of the next day it is PERFECT! The hat is stiff enough to keep its shape, but flexible enough that it will bend when laid down on an uneven surface. Love this hat and I’m buying all the other sizes now! I would love to paint some of these, in fact, and probably will! SIDE NOTE: I did find the huge size of the 18cm hat to be too much to tie at a side tilt, so it will simply be worn full on my head or to the back a bit. The smaller ones will probably be perfect for wearing at an angle as all the chic boater hat wearers do in their Sunday best, but not this one as it bends away from the head when worn sideways.

It was sufficiently large. It shipped folded up (!!!) on four sides in a plastic bag. I have no idea how to get the four folds out of the hat. Other than looking like a giant misfolded tortilla the quality is just fine.

Once I flattened this hat out it is perfect for historical reenactment. The crown is under 2", nice wide flat brim.To flatten brim: I dipped the brim in a bowl of boiling water till wet, then weighted with books overnight. That is all it took! Easy!

I'm a historical reenactor at the only medieval faire in the entire United States and due to the release of the Covid shots, we pushed back our faire dates to where it's going to be stupid hot and sunny in the great state of Texas.This being said my daughter and I were needing sun hats to protect and shade us and did we get our money's worth! The brims are so ridiculously large that I had friends trying to shelter under my hat with me while it was slightly raining on our opening day 😂.

I really enjoy my new hat! It's fun to wear, and protects my face from the sun. I wear it to the beach, but as you can see, I took it to Disneyland too! It arrived in good condition . I did have to press the edges a bit (with my iron), but after that, it was ready to wear! I pinned a black silk flower to it but it really doesn't need anything. It's a great looking hat.

For the price, this is a great wide-brim straw hat. As other reviewers mentioned, it did arrive folded into a plastic bag and the brim was creased. However, with a little water misted on the brim and a few days under weights, it straightened out beautifully. I am also planning to steam/iron it to flatten it out fully.