Straw hat: a legacy fashion item from the Paris Olympics?

Who would have thought that the most fashionable item at the Paris Olympics wasn't LV's clothing, bags, or jewelry, but rather—the straw hat. Straw hats and woven straw products not only became trendy at the Paris Olympics, but they also gained popularity among celebrities and the middle class in China. On Xiaohongshu, there are over 100,000 posts recommending straw hats, more than 90,000 posts about woven straw bags, and over 200,000 related products.

Audience wearing straw hats at Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Image: 新民晚报

Viewers wearing straw hats when they were watching Paris Olympics. Image: Xiaohongshu @钱迪迪DiDi @美丽浙江

Chinese celebrities (from left to right: Su Bingtian, Wang Yanlin, Liu Shishi, Lei Jun) wearing straw hats when they were in Paris Olympics. Image: Weibo @王彦霖 Xiaohngshu @WhoWearsWhat @美丽浙江

In recent years, (straw) woven elements has been trending in fashion world. From luxury brands like LOEWE, Prada, and Miu Miu to more affordable ones like ZARA and Bananain, a variety of straw-woven items have been introduced. The popularity of these straw products can be attributed to their lightweight, breathable, and sun-protective functionality. Moreover, they fit the eco-friendly concept and understated "old money" aesthetic, balancing practicality with fashion. This appeal meets consumers' desire for the laid-back “chilax” lifestyles, making them ideal for outdoor leisure activities.

LOEWE‘s summer collection of woven bags. Image: LOEWE mini program

PRADA’s woven bags. Image: Xiaohongshu @大牌上新了

MiuMiu’s woven products including hats, bags, hair clip. Image: MiuMiu mini program

Despite the current popularity of straw-woven products, fashion expert Zhang Peiying(张培英) is cautious about their future. The materials and craftsmanship of these products are relatively simple, making it hard to establish a strong competitive edge and easy for budget brands to copy. Additionally, straw-woven products are highly seasonal and have limited usage scenarios. However, they can attract consumer interest during spring and summer. With the growth of outdoor, leisure, and sports activities, straw-woven products still have some potential as a niche market.