Bergère hats were popular in the 18th century. A bergère is a hat with a low crown and wide brim and was usually made of straw. Despite the name – bergère means shepherdess in French – bergère hats were also worn by rich women.

Inspired by antique 18th century straw bergère hats like this 18th century straw bergère hat at the MET museum, I made this straw hat from scratch! I used wheat straw, soaked it in water to make it bendable, braided it into a long braid and then stitched the straw braid together with invisible stitches.

Related: How To Make A Straw Hat From Scratch

Bergère hats of rich women were usually covered with silk and trimmed with ribbon. But there were also plain straw bergère hats. The only trimming of my straw bergère hat is a blue cotton ribbon.

This handmade straw hat is also the foundation for my Edwardian hat with ostrich feathers and roses.