Image of two women in beige color summer hats depicting best women's summer hats for this summer season

Most of you are probably aware of the need to wear sunscreen when going outside in the summer, but have you thought about summer hats as well? If the answer is “No” or if you don’t think you’re a hat person, it’s time to reconsider. Taking protection against the sun’s cruel rays is highly vital when traveling to your summer destination. Therefore a summer hat must definitely be on your summer time checklist. It’s the same as when you go to a tanning salon and need to apply cream to avoid burning your skin due to prolonged exposure. You don’t want to become sunburned or suffer from sunstroke, do you? So you must look for yourself. Therefore, packing a summer hat, especially one that will provide adequate face coverage, is an excellent method to protect yourself.

After John Batterson invented the hat in 1865, hats used to be an integral component of our overall appearance and personality. However, this is no longer the case in today’s world, where women are more concerned with choosing the proper beauty brush, shoes (for college, party, workplace, interviews etc) and handbags etc. We know that most of us (specially ladies, except the Royals!) have parted company with the hats these days. However, if we think about it, hats can play a significant role in becoming fashionable this summer! And on the other hand, summer hats will also provide you with an extra layer of protection from the sun’s skin-damaging UV radiation.

What Is the Best Hat to Wear in Hot Weather?

Ready to shop for your perfect, summer hat? Here are 9 of the best summer hats to wear this summer.

  1. Derby Hat with 6.9 Inch Wide Brim
  2. Lanzom Women’s 5.5 Inches Big Bowknot Derby Hat
  3. San Diego Women’s Ultrabraid Large Brim Hat
  4. Straw Sun Visor Hat with Wide Brim
  5. NICEEN Straw Sun Visor Hat for Women
  6. Women’s Wide Brim Roll-up Foldable Straw Visor Hat
  7. Itopfox Women’s Beachwear Sun Hat
  8. FURTALK Womens Sun Straw Hat Wide Brim UPF 50 Summer Hat
  9. Ladies Big Bowknot Straw Hat

To give you more insight, we’ve sorted them into three sections: Derby, Visor, and Sun Hat.

Let’s get into details now. Shall we?

Derby Hats | Best Summer Hats to Wear This Year

Once you heard the word, you may recall the traditional derby hat as a big, wide-brimmed hat with a large flower worn by ladies at the Kentucky Derby. You do not, however, need to attend a horse racing to try it on. This one is perfect for summer because it has a 6 – 10 inch brim that will shield not only your face but also your neck and shoulders. On the other hand, this hat is a fashion statement in and of itself. It goes well with many summer outfits like a summer dress, a wraparound, and even stripes.

So don’t be reluctant to pick your favorite derby hat and complete your summer look with these summer hats, since derby hats are always in fashion and will not go out of style. Here are some gorgeous derby hats available on the market to get an idea.

1. Derby Hat with 6.9 Inch Wide Brim

This broad brim derby hat is a fantastic fit with a head circumference of 22.1 to 26.6 inches and a 6.9 inch wide brim. Moreover, the hat’s brim is adjustable, so you may style it as you want. It’s made of high-quality skin-friendly straw with a breathable and comfy design – perfect for your summer adventures! This one is ideal for outdoor use, especially in the summer, when you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun. Aside from that, this hat will be the most fun and fashionable sun protection whether you’re traveling overseas, going camping with friends, or spending a day on the water.

“This is a must buy. Has a nice wire rim. Very durable. Can shape it in different ways to fit face. Love this hat. You won’t regret it.” – Happy customer on Amazon

2. Lanzom Women’s 5.5 Inches Big Bowknot Derby Hat

With its wide large floppy brim on your face, this lightweight derby hat is great for summer. It will help to protect you from the hot sun and provide proper shade. This hat brings fashionable and trendy style to the fashion top trend with its broad brim huge bowknot. This could become a must-have accessory for your summer vacation, outdoor travel, or beach time. It is also easy to carry when not in use, thanks to its foldable packable form for easy storing in a handbag or backpack.

“Love it! Fits perfectly and definitely keeps the sun out of my eyes.” – Happy customer on Amazon

3. San Diego Women’s Ultrabraid Large Brim Hat

With the Ultrabraid X-Large Brim Hat, you don’t have to worry about getting sunburned. This sun hat has a UPF of 50+, fits comfortably on your head, and protects you from the sun. On a sunny day, this women’s summer provides excellent sun protection! This fashionable and practical hat shields your head and face from the sun, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without fear! These beautiful hats are available in a variety of colors. So why wait to make an important summer fashion statement with your ensemble? Pick your favorite or get them all to complete your summer look!

“I love this hat! The brim is really wide so I kept myself, my 8-year-old daughter, and 10-month old shielded from the sun! Also, the area of the hat that sits on your head is 8 inches so it was able to fit over my large box braids and stay secured. I received so many compliments and questions on where to purchase this hat! To sum it all up, my best friend said it better…this hat is definitely BOSS status!” – Happy customer on Amazon

Visor Hats | Best Summer Hats to Wear This Year

Although all summer hats will keep the sun off your face, there are a few different styles to think about. On warmer days, for example, the open form of a sun visor will keep the rest of your head cool. A visor, also known as a sun visor or visor cap, is a crownless hat with just a visor or brim and a strap around the head. It allows you to lie down on a beach chair without your hat brim bending backwards. Not only that, but these hats include bands at the rear of the head that can be adjusted to fit your head size.

You can style a visor hat in a number of ways, including with a pleated skirt and a tank top, if you’re going to the beach or the pool, a visor is a must-have accessory, for those long haired ladies, you can put it up in a ponytail, braid or a bun while traveling and keeps you cool and ventilated, to mention a few options. So, take these with you as your favorite summer travel hat if you want to play outside in the summer and protect your face from the sun, especially your eyes, nose, and cheeks.

4. Straw Sun Visor Hat with Wide Brim

Typical clip-on or elastic band visor hats are permanently attached to your head, making it difficult to make adjustments when they become uncomfortable. But, you can easily acquire a nice and comfortable fit with this stylish visor because it comes with a soft and rollable open-up headband. As a result, one size fits all. Unlike typical sun straw hats, the cushioned headband design around the back of this travel cap makes it quite convenient to lay down on a beach chair and enjoy the perfect summer.

“LOVE THIS. The extra-long brim gives full sun coverage for your face. It holds up and is NOT floppy where you spend the entire time trying to straighten the hat itself. Highly recommend it. Bonus – Pony fits over the back great too.” – Happy customer on Amazon

5. NICEEN Straw Sun Visor Hat for Women

Not fond of the above straw visor?  The fastening tape on the back of the NICEEN Straw Sun Visor Hat for Women is adjustable from 21 to 22 inches. The fastener tape is gentle and sturdy, and it may come handy even with a ponytail. It will not tangle your hair and will not be excessively tight. The moisture-absorbing belt on the hat’s inside surface can completely absorb sweat, preventing it from dripping over your face, making you exceptionally comfortable. This hat may simply be hung on a handbag or suitcase, or rolled up and folded for storage in a handbag, backpack, or suitcase.

“Nice size visor gives enough coverage for the face. Don’t mess up with my hair/bun. Easily pack up in my tote or throw in the suitcase. Perfect for everyday use and travel!” – Happy customer on Amazon

6. Women’s Wide Brim Roll-up Foldable Straw Visor Hat

The wide brim of this women’s sun visor straw hat fully shields and protects your face from harmful UV sun radiation. The adjustable velcro back fastening on this gorgeous scallop braided straw design sun visor cap for women allows you to change the fit (21″-23″) for a comfortable, tight fit. Moreover, it features a sweat-absorbent and moisture-wicking inner band that adds comfort and prevents sweat from running down your face. This roll-up straw visor hat is compact and crushable while maintaining its shape, making it easy to carry in your handbag or beach tote. So, don’t you think it’s ideal for any workout or outdoor activity during the summer?

“This is a great hat/visor. The front brim is large enough to cover the face from the sun and still look fashionable. It is also great that it has a loop that allows you to roll the hat to be put away in your bed or wherever.” – Happy customer on Amazon

Sun Hats | Best Summer Hats to Wear This Year

When it comes to selecting a hat for your summer vacation, a sun hat is a must-have. This, on the other hand, does not have its own category; if you’re wearing it outside in the sun, it’s a sun hat. It is designed to provide the best sun protection, as the name suggests. A sun hat is a head covering that is designed to keep the sun off your face and shoulders. The hat’s fabric is designed to provide sun protection. Straw sun hats, pressed fiber sun hats, and pith helmets are some of the materials and types available.

7. Itopfox Women’s Beachwear Sun Hat

This large brim sun protection straw hat is suitable for ladies, teenagers, and youths for summer. This one is made entirely of paper straw, making it lightweight and rich in appearance. Furthermore, the sweatband will keep your head from rubbing, and the wide brim will keep you out of direct sunlight. This one comes in a variety of colors, making it easy to pair with your summer dress, bikini, shorts, and jeans. It also features a chin strap for added safety. Furthermore, because this is a foldable hat, you can conveniently put it in your bag and take it when not in use.

“I LOVE my HAT!!! They are durable & flexible. I purchased the black/white one. It came folded, I love that. You can straighten it out or shape it to your personality. It has a large brim just like I wanted. I can’t wait to show it off! ” neck and face well-protected from the sun’s harmful rays with its built-in SPF protection.” – Happy customer on Amazon

8. FURTALK Womens Sun Straw Hat Wide Brim UPF 50 Summer Hat

The FURTALK summer straw hat comes with high-quality paper straw, which makes it lightweight and flexible. The tightly woven beautiful look ensures long wear. It has a floppy wide brim (4.7″-4.9″) and UPF 50+ sun protection, as well as the huge brim helps to cover your face, neck, and ears.  The chin strap is adjustable and easy to attach and detach, keeping the hat in place even on windy days. This floppy beach hat is ideal for folding and tossing into your beach bag or suitcase, making the summer hat very handy to travel and save room. The beach hat for ladies is available in two sizes. Size Medium is ideal for standard head sizes with a head circumference of 21-22 inch (56-57.5cm). And size Large is perfect for large head sizes with a head circumference of 22-23 inch (57.5-59.5cm).

“I purchased this hat to use on my beach vacation. It was easy to pack and sprung right back to life after being rolled into my suitcase. It was comfortable, lightweight, and kept my head, neck and face well-protected from the sun’s harmful rays with its built-in SPF protection.” – Happy customer on Amazon

9. Ladies Big Bowknot Straw Hat

This one is made of high-quality papyrus that is both environmentally friendly and comes in a variety of colors. These colors include khaki, yellow, beige, blue, navy, off white and pink. It also includes a vivid snowflake dot pattern on the surface, which adds a touch of modernity and fashion. Moreover, it has a strong anti-ultraviolet function that protects you from sun damage while also providing excellent shading for your face and neck. This bow hat also comes with a 22-23 inch windproof rope.

“This large straw hat features a large floppy brim. It comes with tightly woven straws and has a chin strap to keep it in place. In addition, the hat is comfortable and protects from the sun’s rays. I’m happy with the quality and the fit of this hat.” – Happy customer on Amazon

Why Do You Need Summer Hats?

FYI, UV protection is crucial all year, not just during the summer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They mention that, on cloudy and cool days, UV rays can reach you because they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. UV rays are at their greatest in the continental United States from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during daylight saving time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time).

According to board-certified dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, M.D., founder of Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics in New York, wearing a hat and sunscreen in the sun is actually a smart idea. He claims that this is because hats protect your skin from UV radiation and give long-lasting sun protection. This summer, the best summer hats for women can help you avoid sun burns, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and even cancer by combining them with a face mask and sunscreen.

Summer Hats | Conclusion

In addition to a pretty cover-up and your go-to sunscreen, one of the best summer hats is a must-have complement to your summer ensemble.  Moreover, when choosing a summer hat, keep in mind that not all hats are the same. To protect the face, neck, eyes, and ears, a 4-inch brim across the entire circumference of the hat is recommended. Sun visors can also be worn for protection, however the brim should be extremely broad, almost wrapping around the head. Baseball caps should also be avoided unless they have a drape. A typical baseball cap is insufficient because it is designed to keep the sun’s glare out of your eyes rather than to protect your skin.

To conclude, we hope that the best summer hats for women in 2021 have given you some inspiration for protecting your skin and completing your seasonal attire. As Brian Wilson puts it, summer means happy times and good sunshine. It means going to the beach, going to Disneyland, having fun, but don’t forget to carry your favorite summer hat along too!