Straw Is for Dry Heat
An open weave moves air across the scalp, which is why a straw fedora feels several degrees cooler than a cotton one of the same shape. It also drinks rain and dries misshapen, so it is a hat for the forecast you have already checked. Tightly woven raffia holds a snapped brim; loose panama-style weaves do not.
Felt Handles Weather and Time
Wool felt sheds a light shower, takes a centre dent and keeps it, and looks better in year three than year one. The trade is weight and warmth: a felt brim in August is a decision, not an accident. Brush it in the direction of the nap and it stays presentable for a decade.
Cotton Is the One You Pack
A washed cotton bucket rolls into a bag, comes out creased, and is fine again within an hour of wearing. It is the only one of the three you can put through a wash, which over a summer of sun cream and salt water matters more than the silhouette does.
