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Narrow Brim Straw Hats
Shop our narrow brim straw hats for women and men. Perfect for summer outings, these hats offer both style and shade in one.
About Narrow Brim Straw Hats
Narrow brim straw hats feature brims measuring 2 to 3 inches in width—compact enough for urban settings and travel while still providing shade for your face. Unlike wide brim styles (4+ inches) designed for maximum coverage during extended outdoor exposure, narrow brim hats offer a sleeker silhouette that works equally well on city streets, at outdoor cafes, and during casual summer activities.
What Are Narrow Brim Straw Hats?
Conner's narrow brim collection uses natural materials including paper straw and toyo paper straw. Each hat is handmade in small batches, continuing a family tradition of hat craftsmanship that goes back over 50 years in Byron Bay, Australia.
Who These Hats Are For
Narrow brim straw hats suit women who want shade without the bulk of safari-style wide brims. They're ideal for:
- Urban dwellers who need shade during commutes, outdoor dining, and weekend markets without the wide brim that catches on doorways or subway turnstiles
- Travelers seeking packable, crushable hats that fit in carry-on luggage—narrow brims compress more easily than 4-inch wide brims
- Petite frames where wide brims can overwhelm proportions; narrower brims (2-3 inches) create better visual balance for women under 5'4"
- Style-focused buyers who prefer the refined look of fedoras, trilbys, and boater hats over the utilitarian appearance of gardening or hiking hats
Why Choose Conner's Narrow Brim Straw Hats
- Materials:Every hat in this collection uses paper straw or toyo paper straw. Conner runs its original St. Augustine warehouse on 100% solar power (orders now ship from American Fork, Utah) and requires its suppliers to pay fair wages under its Supplier Code of Conduct and has sourced from factories beyond his father's Byron Bay workshop since 1999. We still maintain our company food forest at the site and have created a hub there for other small businesses to use the location.
- Handmade Quality: Each hat is crafted by hand, not mass-produced. Will Conner learned hatmaking in his father Bill's Australian factory, where BC Hats created Australia's original leather hat with a shapeable brim. That same attention to fit, finish, and durability carries into every narrow brim style.
- Limited Lifetime Guarantee: All Conner hats are warranted against manufacturing defects. If your hat fails due to manufacturing defects, it will be replaced. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen.
Hat Brim Size Comparison
| Feature | Narrow Brim (2–3") | Wide Brim (4+") |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Protection | Face and eyes | Face, neck, ears, shoulders |
| UPF Rating | Varies by material | Tested material, rated per hat |
| Best For | Urban wear, travel, short outdoor periods | Extended sun exposure, hiking, gardening |
| Packability | Highly packable | Requires more storage space |
| Wind Resistance | Better (less sail effect) | More affected by wind |
| Style | Sleek, versatile, semi-formal | Utilitarian, casual |
| Typical Use Cases | City walks, cafes, errands, weekend trips | Beach days, yard work, trail hiking |
If you spend 2+ hours daily in direct sun, explore Conner's wide brim collection for maximum protection. For city life, travel, and shorter outdoor periods, narrow brims offer the right balance of protection and practicality.
Materials Used in This Collection
- Toyo Paper Straw: Made from twisted paper yarn. Offers structured shape retention while remaining crushable for travel. Water-resistant treatment protects against light rain.
All materials are third-party tested for formaldehyde and toxic chemicals in dyes.
Narrow Brim Straw Hats: Frequently Asked Questions
A narrow brim can provide shade for your face and eyes, but it gives less shade to your neck, ears, and shoulders than a wide brim. Whether a hat is UPF rated depends on the specific style, so check its product page. Many of our hats are UPF rated.
For more shade, consider a wide brim style.
The crown height and brim angle distinguish these styles. A narrow brim fedora typically has a 4 to 4.5 inch crown height with a center crease and pinched front. The brim measures 2 to 2.5 inches and sits relatively flat or with a subtle downward slope.
A trilby features a shorter crown (3.5 to 4 inches) and a more pronounced upward angle at the back of the brim. The overall silhouette is more compact and angular compared to the fedora's smoother lines.
Both styles work well for casual to semi-formal occasions. Fedoras tend to suit slightly dressier outfits, while trilbys lean more casual and contemporary.
Crushability and packability vary by style and material, so do not assume every hat can be rolled or crushed for travel.
Check individual product descriptions for specific care and packing instructions.
Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and ears using a flexible tape measure. Wrap the tape around your head where the hat will sit, about a quarter inch above your ears.
Match your measurement to Conner's size chart:
- Small: 21 1/4-21 5/8 inches (54-55 cm)
- Medium: 22-22 3/8 inches (56-57 cm)
- Large: 22 3/4-23 1/4 inches (58-59 cm)
- X-Large: 23 1/2-24 inches (60-61 cm)
- XX-Large: 24 3/8-24 3/4 inches (62-63 cm)
- XXX-Large: 25 1/8 inches (64 cm)
Many narrow brim styles include adjustable sizing with interior drawstrings or elastic bands, allowing a single size to fit a range of head circumferences. If you're between sizes, size down. Straw hats will relax and conform to your head shape with wear.
Paper and toyo straw styles can handle light mist or a brief drizzle. If caught in unexpected rain, shake off excess water and allow the hat to air dry at room temperature. Never use heat, which can warp the straw.
For rainy climates or unpredictable weather, explore Conner's water-resistant styles and check each product page for care guidance.
Conner's narrow-brim hats stand out through their materials, handmade construction, and guarantee. This collection includes paper straw and toyo paper straw hats, and Conner Hats describes its hats as handmade.
The Limited Lifetime Guarantee (50% off if lost or stolen) covers workmanship failures. During the first 12 months, it provides a free replacement of the same style, size, and color, with shipping paid. After 12 months, it provides 40% off a replacement, with shipping not included. The guarantee applies to purchases from connerhats.com.
Store hats in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade natural straw over time. The best storage method is a hat box or shelf where the hat can rest upright on its crown, preventing the brim from flattening.
If you lack dedicated hat storage, hang the hat on a wall-mounted hook by the interior sweatband—never hang by the brim, which causes warping. Avoid stacking multiple hats, which crushes lower hats and distorts their shape.
For seasonal storage (putting summer hats away for winter), stuff the crown lightly with acid-free tissue paper to help maintain shape, then place in a breathable cotton bag or hat box. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture and can promote mildew in natural straw materials.
Yes. While this collection focuses on women's styles, many narrow brim designs work as unisex options. Fedoras, trilbys, and boater hats in neutral colors (tan, brown, black, natural straw) suit all genders.
For styles specifically designed for men, explore Conner's men's summer hat collection, which includes narrow brim options in larger sizes and masculine silhouettes. Sizing differs slightlymen's hats typically range from Medium (22-22 3/8 inches / 56-57 cm) up to XXX-Large (25 1/8 inches / 64 cm) to accommodate larger head circumferences.