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Stay Cool and Covered With Summer’s Best Beach Hats
These will look so good with that new swimsuit.
If you’re anything like me—a.k.a. someone who burns as soon as they look at the midday sun—beach hats are a saving grace. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options that are both stylish and easy to pack. Whether you’re a bucket hat lover or someone fond of a Western-inspired moment à la Hailey Bieber, the best beach hats will not only turn your swimwear and cover-ups into a full look, but they’ll also save your nose and forehead from turning lobster red quicker than you can even check the UV index.
Regardless of your skin tone and tolerance for the sun, dermatologists are united in their belief that covering up during the hottest hours of the day is crucial. In its official sun safety guidelines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends wearing a hat that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck—particularly one made of canvas or in a darker color for added protection—between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Whether you’re heading out of the city for a sandy getaway or have a tropical vacation in mind, I pulled together the best (and chicest) sun hats to wear all season. Keep the sun out of your eyes—and off your face—in style, with these.
Los Angeles-based label Janessa Leone is a firm favorite of editors, including ELLE’s senior fashion commerce editor, Dale Arden Chong. Think minimalist-leaning, made-to-last headwear in sustainable materials. I’ve personally taken my Greta straw hat everywhere—from Spain and Italy to Mexico—over the years, and it’s never let me down when it comes to sightseeing or sunbathing on the beach.
Sizes: S-L
Colors: Black, Dark Earth, Tan
Materials: 100% straw
There’s something undeniably cool about wearing a straw cowboy hat to the beach. This delicious chocolate brown option from Australian label Lack of Color is made to be styled with a turquoise bikini, gold body chain, vintage sunglasses, and a carefree attitude.
Sizes: S-XL
Colors: Carob
Materials: 100% paper
Customer review: “I couldn’t love this hat any more! The perfect shape and shade for summer (and beyond). Love how lightweight it is —consider it my new favorite hat!”
The perfect bucket hat does exist—thanks to Ralph Lauren’s option to customize your own. Personalize the brand’s classic twill silhouette as you please by adding the Polo icon in your color of choice and a monogram or logo.
Sizes: S/M-L/XL
Colors: White, Black, Navy
Materials: 100% cotton
Channel your inner Meredith Blake with an elegant wide-brimmed black sun hat. This option by classic British outfitters Holland and Cooper is woven and dyed by hand in Ecuador and finished to perfection in the Cotswolds, where a sophisticated grosgrain ribbon adds a chic finishing touch.
Sizes: S, M, L
Colors: Black, White, Natural
Materials: 100% Toquilla palm
The bestselling Lantern style from Madewell is an under-$100 fan favorite for a reason. The flippable brim on this roomy bucket hat lets you wear it slightly off your face while still offering enough coverage to shield you from the sun on a hot day at the beach or park.
Sizes: S/M-M/L
Colors: 6 options
Materials: 100% raffia
Customer review: “I’ve never really been a hat wearer, but just as I was about to wrap up my shopping, this one caught my eye. I tried it on and instantly fell in love. It’s the perfect size and shape and the perfect little accessory to complete a look!”
Whether you have an adventure on the agenda or just want to kick back in the sun, this easy-to-pack wide-brim hat is a reliable companion for destination beach trips. It folds like a dream while keeping its shape. The adjustable leather tie is a chic addition—and comes in handy when the wind hits the shore.
Sizes: One size
Colors: White, Mixed Coffee, Toast, Mixed Green
Materials: 100% paper straw
Customer review: “I’m taking a road trip to the southwest and really needed a hat that was good quality, would cover my face and neck, and that I could tighten in case it gets windy! This hat is all of those things and super cute.”
With light distressing at the edges, this bucket hat is both casual and cool. Hide underneath it for a day of reading and watching the waves. Then, style it with a colorful sarong and beaded accessories when you hit the beach bar come sundown.
Sizes: S-XL
Colors: Navy, Black, White
Materials: 100% cotton
There’s a reason lightweight linen is a go-to fabric for scorching-hot weather. Made in Portugal and true to Jenni Kayne’s ethos of relaxed and refined staples, this simple accessory is one you’ll turn to time and time again.
Sizes: S/M-M/L
Colors: Natural
Materials: 100% linen
Customer review: “Beautiful fabric, has nice body/weight to it. Looks like it will hold up nicely.”
Meet your new travel companion. Cuyana’s handwoven hat is as portable as it is stylish, thanks to its ribbon detailing. It travels easily and holds its shape—ideal for those times when you have multiple destinations on the agenda (Greek island-hopping, anyone?). As someone prone to burning, I appreciate the guaranteed coverage from its particularly wide brim.
Sizes: 56-59
Colors: Cocoa, Natural, Dark Natural
Materials: 100% Toquilla straw
Customer review: “Beautiful fabric, has nice body/weight to it. Looks like it will hold up nicely.”
With 40 years of experience, Hat Attack consistently delivers trusty accessories. Its sustainably minded, made-in-the-USA hats hold their shape for years, and there’s no shortage of classic colorways and styles to elevate your vacation ’fits. Take this fully lined, frayed-edge number, for example—it will enhance even the simplest of swimsuits.
Sizes: One size
Colors: Solid Natural, Solid White
Materials: 55% linen, 45% cotton
With plenty of colorways available, there’s sure to be a Bondi Bucket Hat for you. Rendered in Solbari’s signature UPF 50+ Technical Performance fabric, this comfortable, breathable hat also comes dermatologist recommended.
Sizes: S/M-M/L
Colors: 10 options
Materials: 100% nylon
Customer review: “Perfect lightweight hat and coverage for Florida sun. The cinch allows a tight fit for windy days and stays in place. Quality and style are best I’ve found for price. Highly recommend.”
This wide-brimmed straw hat from Nikki Beach aces it in the boho beach glamour category—it also boasts UPF 50+ protection. I love the conversation-starting shell detailing, which turns any seaside look into a moment.
Sizes: S/M-M/L
Colors: White
Materials: 100% nylon
With handcrafted crochet and a minimal logo, there’s something irresistible about this nostalgic style from Lululemon. I’d wear the ivory or striped option with a sporty, sleek bikini—and a puka shell necklace for good measure.
Sizes: S/M-M/L
Colors: Light Ivory, Club Blue/Ivory, Black/Ivory, Raceway Green/Ivory
Materials: 57% cotton, 43% polyester
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