According to several different surveys, one of the most popular hats for tourists and vacationers to wear during the summer months or in tropical locations is the Panama sun hat. And that shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. After all, these hats are not only comfortable and cool but also quite stylish.

All you have to do to see that this is true is to head to an exotic location and see for yourself. There are straw hats everywhere! That’s probably why April was made Straw Hat Month. Although this month is a little too cool for straw hats (at least, in our opinion), it’s still a good time to buy one of these hats so that you’re ready for summer.

The History of Straw Hat Month

This month was created a few years ago by the Headwear Information Bureau—a New York trade group. Now, this month is observed by straw hat lovers all across the U.S., as well as the world.

Some Fun Facts About Straw Hats

The Panama sun hat isn’t the only sun hat around. There are dozens of other ones available. Some of our favorite straw hats include the straw porkpie, the straw bowler, and the straw trilby.

All of these hats make us feel like we’re ready to take a stroll on some tropical island. Want more fun facts about straw hats? If you do, then feel free to browse the following facts about them that we have gathered together for your entertainment.

• The American straw hat industry was started by Betsy Metcalfe during the late 18th century. She was 14 years old.
• In 2006, the Guinness World Records measured the world’s largest straw hat. It was 8 feet 6 inches tall and had a diameter of 21 feet 9 inches.
• In the kingdom of Lesotho, the straw hat is part of their national heritage.
• A very expensive Panama hat was created in 2008. It took 6 months to create and is worth an estimated $100,000.
• Wheat and/or rye straw can be used to make straw hats.
• Toquilla straw is often used to make Panama hats in Ecuador.

Observing Straw Hat Month

Observing this month is as easy as wearing your favorite straw hat, buying a new straw hat, or just taking a selfie of yourself while you’re wearing one. If you do take a selfie, be sure to use the hashtag #StrawHatMonth to share it on social media. Let’s all pretend we’re taking a vacation and wear our straw hats during Straw Hat Month.