Summer is here. And we're so glad! Is there anything better than relaxing in the garden, heading to the beach or spending time with family and friends outdoors on a hot day? Whether you’re planning on spending time at home or off on a sunny city break, your warm-weather wardrobe isn’t complete without a summer hat.
You might be looking out for the perfect floppy hat to pack for your holiday. Perhaps a bucket hat will be the ideal accessory to compliment your summer-season dresses. Or, you could simply be looking for a cap to keep the sun out of your face while running everyday errands or a visor to shade your eyes as you unwind in the sun.
Best summer hats for women at a glance:
• Best classic summer hat: Comhats Sun Hats Women – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best summer hat for the coast: Straw Packable Bucket Hat – Buy now on Marks & Spencer
• Best summer hat for everyday wear: ANYDAY Cotton Baseball Cap – Buy now on John Lewis
While summer hats for women make stylish additions to our summer wardrobe, they’re also a great way of giving yourself more protection from the sun’s rays. Whenever you head out during the warmer weather, you will want to make sure you’re wearing plenty of sunscreen, but a summer hat will give you extra cover from the sun.
We asked John Lewis what styles of summer hats are trending this season. Senior Communications Officer, Katherine Roberts gives us the lowdown: "We've seen a number of hat styles become popular this season including: Bucket hats for their relaxed yet casual feel – our colour block bucket hat has been a particular star this season. Boater styles have also been popular due to their smart casual versatility – our straw brim boater sits on an angle for a fresh yet sophisticated feel."
Best summer hats for women
Best classic summer hat
ComhatsYou can’t go wrong with this classic-style summer hat for women. It has a wide, structured brim for the ultimate sunshade. We adore the black ribbon around it, a beautiful contrast against the rest of the tan hat.
Best summer hat for the coast
Marks & Spencerwww.marksandspencer.com
This summer hat for women has a beautiful blend of sailor navy blue with natural straw woven through it. Whether relaxing in a local park or heading to the beach, this hat will jazz up any outfit.
Best summer hat for everyday wear
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
You can’t go wrong with a classic baseball cap for a summer hat. The pale rose colour is on-trend, with neutral pinks growing in popularity. It has an adjustable strap at the back – so you can fit it perfectly to your head.
Best on-trend summer hat
Nextwww.next.co.uk
One for the rose-gold fans: this floppy hat will add a touch of sparkle to your summer wardrobe. With its wide brim – you’ll be protected from the sun in style.
Best summer hat for an up do
Oliver Bonaswww.oliverbonas.com
If you like to wear your hair up, you’ll love this Natural & Black Animal Visor Hat. You pop this curved peak onto your head like a headband so it won’t mess with your hairdo.
Best summer hat with a pretty print
TeddyT'sWe love the fun floral print pattern on this summer hat. The wide brim will help keep your face shaded while looking super stylish, and the cotton material means it can be washed easily.
Best fedora-style summer hat
Fat Facewww.fatface.com
Be beach-ready with this fedora-style summer hat, which can easily be packed away. It has a straw-effect design with beautiful sea shell detailing.
Best summer hat for casual styling
Mountain Warehouse
This plain white reversible hat is just what you need to complete casual summer styling. You’ll look stylish while protecting your head and eyes from the sun’s rays.
Best bright and light summer hat
Oliver Bonaswww.oliverbonas.com
This summer hat for women will take your summer styling to another level. Its natural material and vibrant colours are super on-trend. This top-pick from Oliver Bonas is made from paper raffia with an open-stitch crochet effect.
Best summer hat with a wide brim
Etsywww.etsy.com
We adore the contrast of the black and white trim on this sun hat. The woven straw pattern allows for airflow, keeping your head cool.
Best summer hat with a playful print
Bodenwww.boden.co.uk
This canvas bucket hat will add colour to your summer wardrobe with its floral-patterned exterior. The lining is made from breathable cotton and comes in one size.
Best chic summer hat
accessorizewww.accessorize.com
You’ll look chic sitting by the pool wearing this floppy hat. It is fashioned with paper and is black in colour, which makes it stand out. The pattern around the trim gives it a luxe feel.
Best bucket hat for summer
MODIBODIwww.modibodi.co.uk
This bright pink bucket hat is perfect for adding a pop of colour to a casual outfit. It has a simple reversible design (pink or black) and it’s lightweight, meaning you won’t need to think about your luggage allowance when popping it into your holiday suitcase.
Ask the experts
How to tell if a sun hat is going to provide enough protection from the sun?
Alyson Taggart, Director of Product and Publications at Damart, says:
"If you’re looking forward to saying goodbye to the dreary UK weather this summer, it’s important that you choose the right sunhat to take with you as you enjoy the holiday sun.
"Firstly, look for a hat with a wide brim. The wider the brim, the more protection the hat provides. I’d recommend hats with a brim measuring at least three inches to keep the sun off your face and protect your skin. As an added bonus, this style of hat is guaranteed to add a touch of chic to your holiday outfits and is versatile enough to wear on any occasion.
"If a hat loses its shape after washing, it will also lose its ability to protect your face, as it won’t fit as well as it once did. Therefore, choosing a hat made from lightweight, durable and easy-care material, such as cotton, linen or straw, is essential. These materials will also provide better ventilation and effectively wick away moisture, so you can stay comfortable in style.
"No sunhat can provide complete protection from the sun, so always remember to apply SPF to your face daily to ensure your skin stays as well-protected as possible."
Katherine Roberts, Partner & Senior Communications Officer, Brand & Lifestyle for John Lewis answers our queries about the best summer hats for style and UV protection:
FAQs
What are the most popular hats for ladies over 50?
Popular styles this season have been classic and timeless, including structured straw hats and visor styles such as our Raffia Ribbon Visor Hat.
What occasions suit hats the most?
Fascinators and wider brim occasion hats suit events such as weddings and race meets. In contrast, Fedora style and floppy wide-brim straw hats lend themselves to more informal events and holiday lounging.
How do you build the confidence to wear a hat if you haven’t previously?
If it's your first time wearing a hat, try a smaller style with subtle detailing that is comfortable to wear and has a timeless quality.
How do you find the best hat to suit your face shape?
The most important factor when choosing a hat is comfort, as you want to be able to enjoy wearing it all day—no matter what the occasion. Certain styles can lend themselves better to specific face shapes; if you have a round or heart-shaped face, try angled or asymmetric brims, and if you have a longer, oval shape, try wider hats with lower brims to provide balance.
What are the best materials for summer hats to keep cool and protected from the sun?
Hats with a wider brim help shade more of your face to keep you cool, and natural materials such as straw, cotton and linen are best for this.
How do you choose the right size summer hat for a perfect fit?
Some hats have adjustable options if you’re unsure and also provide added comfort. If you’re unsure, it’s also advisable to pop into one of our stores and try them on with the help of one of our stylists.
Are there specific summer hats recommended for outdoor activities like hiking or beach sports?
For outdoor activities, versatility is key, so we'd suggest a reversible style that is lightweight and easy to pack but still provides coverage from the sun.
How do you care for and clean summer hats to maintain their shape and quality?
We suggest wiping clean only and padding out the hood with tissue paper to ensure that the structure of the hat is maintained and protected.
This article contains expert commentary from Alyson Taggart, Director of Product and Publications at Damart and Katherine Roberts Partner & Senior Communications Officer, Brand & Lifestyle, at John Lewis.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.