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Laurence Bossion's Diary, Chapter 13
A FRIENDLY REMINDER to our valued subscribers: Laurence Bossion’s workshop and boutique will be closed from the evening of Saturday, August 2, through August 25 for the summer break. Therefore, it is absolutely essential for anyone wishing to place a special order (such as formal hats for your weddings, for example) to make an appointment with us today to ensure your request is processed and the item is ready by August 2.
What if he were the perfect companion, the best friend of midsummer?
Think about it. It’s always in style, elegant, and easy to wear. In fact, it’s all these qualities that have made it truly iconic. We’re talking, of course, about the straw hat. The one you wear to the market, for a lovely evening out, or even to a wedding—the one you casually drape over a lounge chair, roll up and tuck into the bottom of a suitcase, and bring back at the start of the school year like a piece of sunshine. To find the one that’s right for you—without necessarily snagging it from a country house—choose it carefully at Laurence Bossion, where it comes in an endless variety of styles: sophisticated for a wedding, bold in its lines, resolutely classic, or downright luxurious—ranging from perfectly simple to spectacular. Always, of course, with the utmost respect for the principles of creative and artisanal craftsmanship centered on the most authentic hat design. Its plant-based weaving is an ancestral craft that has never ceased to evolve in response to practical needs for protection as well as to fashion trends—even the boldest ones.
A cultural aside: right now, in Versailles, the exhibition on the gardens of the Grand Trianon opens with the famous portrait of Marie Antoinette in a white muslin chemise dress, painted by Vigée Le Brun. And what is the queen wearing in this painting, which is displayed only once a century? A straw hat with feathers—proof that this accessory has always managed to combine nonchalance with the utmost sophistication.
Here are 5 styles of the straw hat—an accessory that’s synonymous with vacations, relaxation, and freedom, but also, and above all, with fashion, style, good taste, and enjoyment.
The Openwork Panama Hat, for a Day in the City
The straw hat at its most distinguished: a Panama hat with an openwork weave that replaces the ordinary herringbone pattern with a rarer design. Understated without being plain, effortlessly refined, it transitions seamlessly from a leisurely stroll to a cocktail party without ever raising a fuss.
The XXL couture hat, for an exceptional vacation
Haute couture is embracing the straw hat. From a distance, the weaving appears classic; up close, it’s a two-tone herringbone pattern of astonishing artistry. Deliberately oversized, it aims to be spectacular without ever sacrificing refinement. A truly exceptional piece.
The straw hat, for an urban look
Who would have bet on a straw hat? Yet here it is: just as lightweight and protective as a fabric one, but entirely handmade. It adds that unexpected touch of craftsmanship to an urban look. Casual, and utterly unique.
The cloche hat, for the Roman dolce vita
A bell-shaped hat with a grosgrain bow—utterly feminine and straight out of the 1950s. Its wide brim frames a gaze hidden behind black butterfly-shaped glasses. All that’s missing is a coffee near the Colosseum and the parade of Vespas: la dolce vita, in short.
The formal floppy hat, for a rustic wedding
The perfect hat for grand weddings—the kind celebrated at a castle or in a beautiful villa. Light as a floppy hat and adorned with a pastel-colored grosgrain ribbon, it complements even the most colorful outfits. Chic enough for the ceremony, yet casual enough to have fun with.
