As a kid of the ‘70s who grew up in California, I’d certainly learned my lesson by my late twenties when I was spending a lot of time dealing with the effects at my dermatologist. Since I’ve basically been wearing sun hats since then, I’ve developed some strong opinions: they can’t be too precious/expensive (lost that Borsalino to the meltemi winds in Milos in 2017), ideally have a chin strap if you’re going anywhere windy or on a boat, have a roll-up option so you can carry one in your purse too. We asked our style editor Sarah Meikle to weigh in here, and also backed up some of the choices with endorsements from our friends who actually own them. —Y.E.
1. Borsalino – I love this roll-up that can go in a purse, and the band around it is very cool!
2. Kin the Label – Our friend (and favorite swimsuit designer) Malia Mills says this one is her “current fave–super chic and takes up no space in my suitcase.” We asked their customer service how that’s possible, since it looks like you’d have to pack it upside down and stuff it with a t-shirt. But they said they designed them with an elastic thread that runs through the fibers so it can actually collapse and return to its shape when unpacked.
3.- 4. Janessa Leone – Honestly all of her hats are beautiful and meant for travel. Her site shows exactly how to pack the hats, and they also have a strap so you can easily carry it on a handbag or arm. Our friend Pia Baroncini loves her Teagen bucket hat, but when I grow up and buy one, I’ll take this gorgeous wide brim Harlow hat.
5. Helen Kaminski Desmonda hat – While this one is on the higher end, it actually rolls up, which for me is a big plus because it isn’t bulky or only folds flat–meaning it can easily fit in a purse.
6. Cos – For a big sun vacation, this very wide-brim hat would be great, and the price is right.
7. Mature Ha – I discovered this pack-flat hat at our friend’s store Mouki Mou, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. It’s a Japanese husband/wife team who make them, and at $327 they are more of an investment piece. Our friend, the designer Nikki Kule, swears by it too.
8. Magic hat – I’ve had one of these for many years and it has somehow not been lost on all my trips to either the wind or forgetfulness. It’s flattering, has great coverage, and best of all, it’s washable.
9. Lola Hats – Love the wide brim on this, and the stripes are a nice subtle pop.
10. Lack of Color – A great canvas wide-brim hat with a chin strap, in great color options and is less than $100.
11. Muji – If you’re going somewhere windy or on a boat, this is perfect—very utilitarian, long brim, and has a chin strap.
12. Jenni Kayne – Our deputy editor Alex Postman loves this hat for its “really good wide brim and how it stays on in the wind,” plus it folds or rolls and packs like a t-shirt.
13. Scha – I wouldn’t wear this beautiful white hat to the beach, but it’s perfect for summer events, from casual to elegant.
14. Muji bucket hat – A perfect hat to keep in your bag should anyone need one–love that it’s in indigo, the chin strap, and that it’s made from kapok, a fiber that is grown without pesticides and is much lighter and softer than cotton.
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