Summer Hat Trends: How to Style Wide-Brim Hats

The best wide brim summer hat is one with a brim of about 3 inches or more, a breathable weave like straw, and a crown that sits snugly enough to stay put in wind. Pick the shape that fits your outfits, then check the fit before you fall for the look.

Wide brims are easy to style once you treat the hat as the focal point of the outfit and keep everything else simple. Below: how wide to go, what to make it from, what the shapes are called and how to wear them.

Section 01

How wide should the brim be?

For real sun protection, aim for at least 3 inches all the way around. Dermatologist Anna L. Chien, MD, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says that "A hat with a 3-inch brim protects the top of your scalp, ears and face."

Extra wide brim summer hats, often 4 inches and up, add shade for the neck and shoulders and read as more dramatic. They suit open settings like a beach or pool. In a crowded restaurant or a car, they can be a nuisance.

If you are petite, a medium brim usually keeps proportions balanced. A brim much wider than your shoulders tends to swallow the frame, so check the mirror from the front before you commit.

Section 02

What makes the best hat to keep cool in hot weather?

Weave and color matter more than most labels. A loose, open weave lets heat escape from the crown, while a tightly woven or lined hat traps it. Light colors reflect more sunlight, and a dark underside of the brim can cut glare.

Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd also pay attention to how the hat feels on your skin. A stiff band or scratchy inner edge is what you notice at hour three, and it is the usual reason a hat stays in the closet.

Straw, raffia and paper braid

Straw and raffia are light and breathable, which makes them the best hat to wear in a hot summer for most people. Paper braid is similar and often packs better. See our guide to wide brim straw hats for shade on hot days for more on this material.

Felt and cotton

Wool felt is better for spring and fall. Soft cotton or linen hats are cooler and fold flat, but they lose their shape faster and often need a wire in the brim to keep it wide.

Section 03

Does a wide brim sun hat need UPF 50?

A UPF rating tells you how much ultraviolet radiation the fabric lets through, and it is worth looking for if sun protection is the point. The Skin Cancer Foundation says a UPF of 30 to 49 offers very good protection, while UPF 50+ offers excellent protection. A wide brim sun hat UPF 50 is the safest choice for long days outside.

Loosely woven straw can let light through the gaps, so a rated hat gives you more certainty. A hat does not cover everything, so you still need sunscreen on exposed skin and sunglasses. Ask your dermatologist about your own skin.

Section 04

What are wide brimmed hats called?

There is no single name, because the term covers several shapes. The ones you will see most:

• Floppy hat or sun hat: a soft, flexible brim that droops, usually straw. Relaxed and beachy.
• Wide brim fedora: a structured crown with a pinched front and a firm brim. Sharper and better with tailoring.
• Oversized or extra wide brim hat: a brim that extends well past the shoulders. Statement piece for poolside or destination events.
• Ribbon-tied hat: a soft brim with ties under the chin or a wide ribbon band. Romantic and vintage-leaning.
• Boater: flat crown and flat, stiff brim. See styling boater hats for ideas.

Section 05

How to style a wide brim hat

The simple rule: the bigger the hat, the quieter the outfit. A strong brim already draws the eye, so give it room.

For everyday outings

A floppy straw hat works with a white button-down and relaxed jeans, linen shorts, or a flowy skirt. Add flat sandals or espadrilles. A neutral hat in beige, black or white goes with most of a summer wardrobe.

For the beach or pool

Pair a wide brim with a swimsuit and a light cover-up. Matching the hat to your bag or sandals pulls the look together without extra effort. See more in wide-brim hats for summer vacation glam.

For weddings and garden parties

Choose a structured shape with minimal trim to match a dress. At a formal ceremony, a very large brim can block the view of people behind you, so a medium brim is the polite choice.

For the city

A wide brim fedora looks sharp with tailored trousers, a fitted tank and platform sandals. Muted colors keep it modern. If you are unsure about shape, this guide to hat styles for every face shape can help.

As an architect trained in evidence-based design, I'd treat the brim like a frame: it changes how the face reads, and a color that contrasts with the outfit pulls the eye up to it.

Section 06

Practical tips for wearing and caring for the hat

• In wind, use an adjustable chin strap or a discreet hatpin, or choose a snug crown.
• Low ponytails, loose waves and side braids sit well under a hat. A high bun can push the crown up.
• Store the hat flat or on a stand so the brim keeps its shape.
• For travel, stuff the crown with soft clothes and lay the hat flat with padding around it.
• Clean straw with a slightly damp cloth and a soft brush. Skip soaking it.

For other seasons, see styling wide brim hats for every season.

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