“Step back to 1960 and see how this classic boater hat, sold by Saks Fifth Avenue, embodies mid-century American style and the era's appreciation for refined accessories.”
This boater hat, crafted from straw and rayon in 1960, evokes a sense of mid-century leisure and classic style. Its crisp lines and natural materials suggest a perfect accessory for a sunny day, perhaps a stroll along Fifth Avenue or a summer outing. The hat's construction highlights the meticulous attention to detail that defined fashion accessories of the era. More than just headwear, this boater represents a specific moment in fashion history when department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue played a significant role in defining and disseminating American style, offering accessible luxury to a broad clientele. It's a tangible link to a time when hats were an indispensable part of a well-dressed person's wardrobe, signifying both elegance and an active engagement with seasonal trends.
- Artist
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Date
- 1960
- Medium
- straw, rayon
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Collection
- Costume Institute
- Culture
- American
- Credit line
- Gift of Eugene H. Mopsik, 1977
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The tightly woven straw, forming a smooth, uniform surface.
The dark rayon band, providing a sharp contrast to the straw.
The flat crown and brim, characteristic of a classic boater.
The subtle sheen of the rayon, suggesting its quality.
1 more detail is waiting.
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Saks Fifth Avenue
From a Washington D.C. men's shop in 1867 to a Fifth Avenue icon, Saks dressed America's elite for over 150 years.
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