The Lea boater gets its name from the river Lea. the river lea runs through Luton and is responsible for the towns development. I chose this name for this hat as its dyed brown. It was once said you could tell what colour the hat of the season was based on what colour the river lea was. as the towns hatters would often dye hats using the rivers water.

These boaters are made from straw plait braid machined into a spiral then shaped. this is all done using antique straw hat machinery. the hat is taken from bundle of straw to finished hat all right here in Luton, England.

Made in England using restored traditional Straw hat manufacturing equipment dating back to the 1930s. This straw boater is a reproduction of an authentic 1930s boater. Made using the same equipment and techniques used in the 30s.

At Anderson hatters our equipment came from a hat factory in Luton, England that specialised in boaters up until the 90s. We have lovingly restored this equipment and put it back to use.

As a result all out traditional boaters are made to the same specifications and finishes used in the 1930s up until the early 70s.

The straw is machined, blocked and finished using this equipment.

Sizes

available in sizes 55c, 57cm, 59cm, 61cm

I recommend going a size up.