A good sun hat earns its place through brim width, weight, and the way it holds its shape after a day spent being taken off, fanned with, and stuffed into a bag. Anything under seven or eight centimetres of brim is decorative rather than functional, offering shade for a photograph but not for an actual afternoon. The straw or fabric needs enough body to keep its line without a wire insert doing all the work, and the crown should sit slightly away from the head rather than clamping down, otherwise an hour in the heat turns into a headache. Raffia and toyo weaves tend to hold their shape better than soft cotton or paper straw, which is worth knowing before assuming price alone tells you about durability.
Fit matters more than most people admit. A hat that is a fraction too big will spend the day being pushed back off the face, which defeats the point of it.
Look for an inner band, ideally adjustable, and a crown depth that suits your head shape rather than the one that photographed well on someone else. Colour is where personality comes in, but neutral straw tones do more work across a holiday wardrobe than anything print heavy, since they sit happily against florals, plain linen, or a simple swimsuit without competing for attention.
Styling a sun hat is less about matching and more about proportion. A wide brim balances a fitted silhouette, so it pairs naturally with slip dresses, tailored shorts, or a simple vest and trouser combination. Smaller brims and structured shapes suit a more directional outfit, something with volume in the sleeve or skirt that can hold its own against a stronger hat line. Sunglasses should be simple if the hat is doing the talking, and hair works best left loose or in a low knot rather than anything that fights the crown for space.
Occasion wise, this is a category built for movement rather than stillness. Market mornings, poolside lunches, a walk between beach clubs, garden parties in the height of summer. It is not really an evening piece, and trying to force it into one usually looks like an afterthought. Worn with intention, though, a proper sun hat does more for a summer look than most separates manage, and it is one of the few accessories that is genuinely doing a job as well as looking like it belongs there.
Top Picks
SUN HATPOSTER MASTER USWoman With Sun Hat - Canvas / 18x24 inch
$94.95 POSTER MASTER US
SUN HATTHREDUP (US)Sun Hat: Tan Accessories
$14.99 THREDUP (US)
SUN HATHARVEY NICHOLS USLack OF Color Bloom Raffia sun hat - Natural - 57 (57cm / M)
$173.88 HARVEY NICHOLS US
POSTER MASTER USSun Hat Style - Poster / 24x32 inch
$54.95 POSTER MASTER US
POSTER MASTER USWoman With Sun Hat - Canvas / 18x24 inch
$94.95 POSTER MASTER US
DAILY SALE, INC.Summer Sun Protection Adjustable Sun Hat
$16.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
POSTER MASTER USBeach Sun Hat Escape - Poster / 30x40 inch
$64.95 POSTER MASTER US
POSTER MASTER USSun Hat Serenity - Canvas / 18x24 inch
$94.95 POSTER MASTER US
MANLYMen's Western Cowboy Casual Wide Brim Sun Hat 20896227U
$47.95 MANLY
EILEEN FISHERMar Y Sol for EILEEN FISHER Raffia Sun Hat
$125.00 EILEEN FISHER
BANANA REPUBLICCotton Canvas Sun Hat
$80.00 BANANA REPUBLIC
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Vented Crown Sun Hat with Faux Suede Trim
$44.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
HARVEY NICHOLS USLack OF Color Lawson Raffia Straw sun hat - Natural - 55 (55cm / S)
$206.08 HARVEY NICHOLS US
DAILY SALE, INC.Women's Wide Brim Roll-up Straw Sun Hat Sun Visor
$27.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
THREDUP (US)Zimmermann Sun Hat: Tan Animal Print Pattern Accessories
$58.99 THREDUP (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Buri Braid Straw Sun Hat
$48.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMFame Straw Braided Sun Hat
$26.00 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
HARVEY NICHOLS USSensi Studio Shell Straw sun hat - White
$231.84 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USSensi Studio Hippie Fiesta Straw sun hat - Multicoloured
$206.08 HARVEY NICHOLS US
SHOPBOPHat Attack Livvy Canvas Sun Hat with Removable Twill Chinstrap White One
$99.00 SHOPBOP
THREDUP (US)Attitudes by Renee Sun Hat: Tan Accessories
$17.99 THREDUP (US)
CARMEN SOLMirtha raffia sun hat - S Black
$295.00 CARMEN SOL
THREDUP (US)San Diego Hat Company Sun Hat: Pink Accessories
$20.99 THREDUP (US)
TRAVIS MATHEWSun Society Snapback Hat
$49.95 TRAVIS MATHEW
THREDUP (US)L Space Sun Hat: Black Accessories
$81.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)C.C Exclusives Sun Hat: Yellow Accessories
$15.99 THREDUP (US)
DAILY SALE, INC.Women's Sun Protection Sun Hat
$21.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
HARVEY NICHOLS USSensi Studio Panama Straw sun hat - Beige
$276.92 HARVEY NICHOLS US
THREDUP (US)The Webster at Target Sun Hat: Green Stripes Pattern Accessories
$10.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)David & Young Sun Hat: Black Accessories
$15.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Sun Hat: Tan Accessories
$14.99 THREDUP (US)
GYMBOREEGymboree | Girls | Bow Sun Hat - Swim Shop in White | Size 2T-3T
$10.78 GYMBOREE
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Polka Dot Sun Hat
$258.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
HARVEY NICHOLS USLack OF Color Bloom Raffia sun hat - Natural - 57 (57cm / M)
$173.88 HARVEY NICHOLS US
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMFame Checkered Straw Weave Sun Hat
$36.00 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
GIFTOMORYTropical Sunset: Salty Air & Sun-Kissed Affair Hat - Blue / White / Blue
$22.00 GIFTOMORY
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Floppy Straw Sun Hat
$37.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
SHOPBOPPolo Ralph Lauren Raffia Crochet Sun Hat Natural One
$148.00 SHOPBOP
DAILY SALE, INC.Adult Wide Brim Sun Hat with Neck Face Flap Cover
$23.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
HARVEY NICHOLS USLack OF Color Paloma Woven Straw sun hat - Cream - 55 (55cm / S)
$206.08 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USLack OF Color Riveria Woven Straw sun hat - Black - 55 (55cm / S)
$218.96 HARVEY NICHOLS US
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Woven Ranch Sun Hat
$68.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
GIFTOMORYTropical Sunset: Salty Air & Sun-Kissed Affair Hat - Black / White / Black
$22.00 GIFTOMORY
GIFTOMORYRadiant Days - Minimalist Sun Foam Trucker Hat - Light Pink / White / Light Pink
$22.00 GIFTOMORY
GIFTOMORYHot Sun, Cool Love - Tropical Love Foam Trucker Hat - Black / White / Black
$22.00 GIFTOMORY
W CONCEPT (US)Signature Sun Visor Hat [Black]
$80.00 W CONCEPT (US)
HARVEY NICHOLS USLack OF Color Paloma Straw sun hat - Natural - 59 (59cm / M)
$161.00 HARVEY NICHOLS US
CARMEN SOLMirtha raffia sun hat - S Red
$295.00 CARMEN SOL
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Wide-Brim Floppy Sun Hat
$60.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
GIFTOMORYHot Sun, Cool Love - Tropical Love Foam Trucker Hat - Light Pink / White / Light Pink
$22.00 GIFTOMORY
GIFTOMORYHot Sun, Cool Love - Tropical Love Foam Trucker Hat - White / Royal / Red
$22.00 GIFTOMORY
CARMEN SOLSeverino oversize sun hat - M Nude
$245.00 CARMEN SOL
−57%
OLD NAVYStraw Sun Hat for Women$23.26
$10.00 OLD NAVY
![Signature Sun Visor Hat [Black]](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7205069%2F30%2F720506930_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=d46275783496d9c70fb143090c17dea83dd21029)
