Summer Hats

LaurenNK

I want to try to wear a hat while I'm frolicking in the river and camping this summer as another means of sunblock. I just don't know where to start.

It would help if I knew what style I was after, but I don't. I want it to look equally nice while hanging out next to the river in a bathing suite and sarong, or just around the back yard in a sun dress (if I ever find one of those, that's another story).

I google'd sun hats, but was disappointed with the return. Everything is HUGE, reminiscent of my Barbie's accessories, or waterproof with drawstrings and plain ugly. Is this such a utilitarian item that I won't be able to look cute while preventing skin cancer? I hope not!

Does anyone regularly wear a cute hat in summer to block the sun? Where do you look for a stylish version? What IS a stylish sun hat? Yikes...

18 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from Nicole

Anonymous

I bought one last summer before going to CA and it did not have a tie so kept blowing off and was no use. I also felt like the scarecrow in Wizard of Ozz in it. I have one with a tie but it looks like a big farmer hat and I only wear it in the yard.
I also would like to find one that looks good while protecting from the sun, without being so big and cumbersome. I think it should have a tie and also cross ventilation because a hat can be very hot in the sun.

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I can think of three types of summer hats.

1. Caps and Visors -- Very casual, sporty, but fun and colorful and easy to wear. The wind won't blow them off, unless your in a boat or convertible. Visors won't protect the top of your head, but they will shade your face. Some visors can be less sporty than caps.

2. Straw hats--with a medium to wide brim. The wider the brim, the more difficult it is to wear. Large stiff brims look fussy and formal. Large and floppy brims look ragamuffin and sloppy. Hard to find in any color other than tan, which isn't flattering next to most faces.

3. Bucket hats--usually canvas. Very casual, easy to pack, but offer limited shade to the face since the visors tend to be shallow.

You really need to try on a hat to know if it looks good. Buying one onlie would be frustrating.

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I'm a hat fan. Not that I own a lot, but I love them and secretly crave them and if I let myself I could own a lot more.

Mostly however my hats are for cool or cold weather or rainy weather. For summer, I do have a beautiful straw hat but it always flies off in the wind when on the beach. So I've stopped bothering.

But I really do have to protect my scalp - especially on the beach - because my hair is light and so my scalp gets too easily burned. OUCH. It hurts.

This may not be the most fashionable solution, but for the beach (and also for exercising) I've learned to love .... doo-rags!!!

Last summer J Crew had some really adorable ones! And this year I scooped up a silk one at H&M.

18 years ago

christie

Active Member

I loved the J Crew head scarfs last year. They still have some this year: http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat302279

And not to sound like a walking J Crew clerk, but they have some nice hats this year, as well. I wrote on another post about the Straw Hat I bought. This year, I have my eye on this one:

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat302277

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Doo-rag! I can see it, Shiny! I use to do this with a bandana when I had short bobbed hair.

Sweet hat choice Christie! Hats are wonderful things.

I don’t wear hats in Summer anymore. I put factor 40 on my face every day and unless I’m walking the dogs or working out outside, I never go into the sun. Never again.

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I wear bandana do rags to the gym. I like to let two little pig tails peek out from underneath--I think it's a cute combination of tough and sweet.

18 years ago

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