The 3 Best Wide Brim Hats for Summer

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy yourself and flaunt your beach bod in the trendiest summer fashion. However, it can be super hot during this season. Whether you like enjoying summer activities or chilling on a beach chair, having sun protection is necessary. Hence, it’s time to step up your summer game even more. Aside from putting on sunscreen, you can try elevating your outfit with a stylish wide brim hat that offers ultimate sun protection. There are so many hat styles out there, but we narrowed down the best ones for any gender! 

Here are the three best wide brim hats for summer.

Fedora Hats

When you see a fedora hat, you might initially think about gangsters from the 1920s. They are usually associated with formal attires, but fedoras can be a great summer hat as well. Fedora hats now come in a variety of materials and styles, making them versatile.

Additionally, fedoras can go with just about any outfit. You can go for a boho style, summer casual, and even vintage with this hat style. To stay within the summer vibe, go for neutral colors like white, beige, or grey.

Panama Hats

Commonly mistaken for a fedora, a Panama hat is another stylish headpiece you can wear during summer. What makes it different from the fedora is its style and material. Panama hats, originating from Ecuador, can be shaped like a fedora, boater, or pork pie hat. The hat is made of a lightweight toquilla straw woven by hand. The tighter and narrower the weave, the lighter and more flexible it is.

Panama hats are, without a doubt, a warm-weather essential. It can boost any summer outfit, both sophisticated and casual. Pair it with linen coordinates, swimwear, a Hawaiian shirt — anything goes! While it is typically in a creamy white color and a black ribbon, there are now many color and style options out there today.

Boater Hats

There’s a reason why boater hats are an Instagram favorite! Boater hats are undeniably an iconic piece for men and women alike. You can even commonly see them in summer travel feeds! So if you’re looking for a timeless summer hat, this one’s for you.

Usually made from stiff Sennit straws, boaters always have a stiff brim and keep their shape. This hat has that European vibe that elegantly elevates your outfit. Match it with a blazer for a formal look, or dress it down with a nice picnic outfit. Wear it slightly tilted to the side, front, or back to give it a more modern look. Lastly, be careful not to overdo it! This hat is enough of a statement piece to get you that extra oomph.

Rancher Hats

Rancher hats are not the most common to wear during summer, but they still can go with any attire! These hats have different brim sizes, which suit any face shape. But the common rancher hat has an average brim of around 3 to ¾ inch. Sometimes rancher hats are compared to a cowboy’s hat. 

Rancher hats are made of wool, that’s why they’re mostly used during winter or fall. They are also generally waterproof and can provide sun protection. However, there are hat shops that make rancher hats made of polyester or cotton. Polyester or cotton rancher hats are breathable and perfect during summer, and you can get the most out of them by knowing how to style them with your outfit!

If you’re new to rancher hats, it is recommended to go for a medium brim before going for a wide brim. A maxi dress and sandals blend equally with the rancher hat. But if you still don’t know how to dress up with rancher hats, play it safe. You can start with a breathable shirt and some denim shorts.

Floppy Hats

If you love going to the beach, you can see most women wearing floppy hats. Floppy hats are essential for those who travel during the summer season, but it has a long history before they became synonymous with elegance and femininity.

During the 14th century, floppy hats were purely made from straw, and they were farmers’ companions throughout the day. But the use of floppy hats soon evolved in the 20th century as part of women’s fashion accessories. Different styles and materials of floppy hats also came into existence, such as polyester.

While floppy hats can be worn in any season, they are mostly seen during summer. You can wear a floppy hat with a dress and a pair of heels or sandals. If you’re dressed down, a bathing suit or bikini would do. Don’t forget your sunglasses to rock that perfect summer look!

Derby Hats

Derby hats are also a perfect summer hat. Also known as the horse races hat or the Kentucky hat, it has a 6 to 10 inches brim. Derby hats are made of straw or polyester, depending on the style. 

Kentucky Derby hats are said to bear good luck whenever worn during sports tournaments back in the day. This long-established fashion statement started with women playing around with different colors. But throughout the years, men have also taken the spotlight in wearing derby hats. Its difference with women’s hats is that men’s derby hats are not as wide-brimmed as women’s.

You may have seen Aubrey Hepburn wearing this elegant hat in the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The hat she wore looked like a lampshade, and it provided much-needed protection to your face, neck, and shoulder under the sun. It also adds a dramatic style to any outfit. 

Derby hats are perfect to wear with sundresses or striped trousers and a cropped top to have a unique summer look!

Wear It With Confidence

These wide brim hats are all versatile and give flair to any summer outfit. Just keep experimenting to see which one you like best. Moreover, make sure to get the size right for your head to get the best fit! Since these hats have a wide brim, you must always consider the proportion so that the hat doesn’t end up wearing you.

No matter which hat you choose, the key to rocking any of these hat styles is confidence. When in doubt, just go for it! Merely wearing a hat can give you an instant confidence boost. Not only will you look great, but you’ll feel great too!