Hats are a stylish and crucial component of a complete sun protection strategy to prevent sun damage that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.
There’s nothing like an old movie to remind you how fantastic a well-constructed, perfectly fitted hat can look. Every spring I rewatch the classic 1948 musical Easter Parade, with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire (above), which is a gorgeous hat-stravaganza from start to finish. Sigh. It inspires me every year, as warm weather approaches.
As well it should. Throughout history, hats were designed for style as well as sun protection. If you’ve ever been treated for skin cancer, especially on your head or neck (like me), you know the importance of a good hat. Nothing beats a physical barrier between your one-and-only fabulous face and those damaging UV rays. Your sunscreen and hair just can’t compete when full summer sun is blasting straight at you. You need your sunscreen and a hat.
Want proof? A 2018 study published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine compared four hat styles and no hat for ultraviolet (UV) exposure on their wearers. None of the options protected 100 percent of the face and neck from every direction. (Sun angles change, rays bounce and reflect. Noses are especially vulnerable.) The study did confirm, however, that during a cloudless summer day, the wide-brimmed hat provided the most protection to the entire face. Yes, the wider the better. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a three-inch brim all around and material or fabric with an ultraviolet protection factor of 50 or higher.
Beyoncé knows how to rock a hat with confidence. Elsa Getty Images
Sadly, we live in one of the few eras in human history where hats are not an obvious part of being well-dressed. Yes, the fashion industry and celebrities (Beyoncé, Shania Twain, David Beckham!) do their part. And growing awareness of the dangers of UV exposure have put more hat choices out there. Still, for a day of running errands, you may not want a hat that makes you look like you should be on safari, trekking in the Himalayas, root, root, rooting for the home team or heading to church in the 1960s. You know that wide brims and tightly woven materials protect best. But those attributes won’t help if you don’t actually wear the hat.
I keep my wide-brimmed collection stacked on a ceramic black panther for easy grab ’n’ go.
I admit I’ve made some unfortunate hat purchases that mostly stayed unworn. I’ve also found a few that I rock regularly (see a few from my collection, here), and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way. As with most fashion choices, it’s about fit, comfort, proportion and, maybe most of all, confidence. Let’s discuss.
Four Ways to Adjust Your Hatitude
A current fave is a well-fitting, breathable UPF 50+ banded fedora (tulips are a bonus).
- Fit. If you see a cute hat in the store and stick it on your head and think it looks good, stop and think: Outside, the air moves. A brimmed hat that is too loose will fly off in even a gentle breeze, not to mention when on a boat or in a downtown wind tunnel. You need it to fit firmly, but not so firmly that it mashes your hair into an unrecognizable helmet. Look for a hat that fits just snugly enough to keep it attached but with some air between the crown of your head and the “roof” of the hat. You should be able to see out without having to push the hat back and expose yourself to more sun. Some have adjustable bands. Also, make sure you can still put on your UV-blocking sunglasses without bumping the hat.
- Comfort. Finding the right fit is a key to your “comfort” zone. You don’t want a hat so tight it gives you a headache, or one so loose that’s you’re constantly holding onto it. You also don’t want loose straw poking your head or rough material where a nice soft lining or sweatband would be better served. A newer trend is satin lining for less “hat hair” disruption.
A lightweight, foldable bucket hat that tucks into a backpack works well on a hiking trail.
- Proportion. This can be hard to judge. Ask opinions. Have someone take a photo of you in the hat and then study it. While a larger brim will shade more of you, more isn’t always better when it comes to compliance. Do you look like you’re wearing a Halloween costume? Or like you’re ready to appear in a production of Cyrano de Bergerac or an episode of Bridgerton? Or do you feel comfortable and think you look good? You’ll know it when you see it.
- Confidence. Ah, this is the trick for any new fashion element you bring into your life. Do you like the way that genuine made-in-Panama fedora or whimsical woven bucket looks and feels? Then own it. They’re classics, like Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Find the perfect rakish angle and start steppin’ out!
