7 Sun Hats to Wear This Summer (Plus How to Style Them)

They're an easy way to stay chic and shaded.

As we venture out into the scorching heat, no summer outfit is quite complete without a sun hat. From a practical standpoint, sun hats offer protection from damaging UV rays. With our faces, necks, and ears being some of the most sun damage-prone areas of our bodies, a hat provides much welcome shade from the heat and can help prevent unsightly sunburns. And when it comes to accessorizing, there's nothing better to top off your summer look than a stylish hat.

Sun hats come in a wide range of styles, from oversized floppy straw hats to baseball caps to fedoras—there's no shortage of options to stay shady in. No matter what your hot-weather outfit may entail, there's a way to style a sun hat that suits every aesthetic and occasion. Whether you're sunbathing at the beach, channeling your inner Garden Girl, or just running around the concrete jungle, there's a sun hat that will work for you.

So, whatever summer scenario you may find yourself in, just remember there's a perfect hat out there. Here are seven ways to wear a sun hat this summer, no matter where the day takes you.

A Floppy Hat and Sundress

If you want your sun hat to do all the talking for your outfit than look no further than a wide, floppy straw hat which will practically have you brimming with joy. While, these oversized options can be a bit intimidating to the uninitiated we can't think of a easier way to not only make a statement but to also perfectly frame your face. Balance out your Samantha Jones worthy floppy hat with a simple, chic sundress, belted at the waist to balance out the oversized shapes.

A Fedora and Tailored Separates

The fedora-style sun hats are not just for those who lean into the mob wife aesthetic. Their wide brims offer plenty of coverage, while their sleek lines provide excellent visual contrast to any look—we love them paired with a loosely tailored suit or flowy linen set. Most often made of wool, we recommend beating the heat and staying in the shade by forgoing darker shades for lighter neutral hues like cream, camel, and pastels.

A Baseball Cap, Crop Top, and Oversized Pants

While this style may seem like it’s borrowed from the boys, we can’t think of a better way to pull together an off-duty outfit to run errands in than a baseball cap. Even if you’re rushing out the door, you can still look stylish with one on—just wear your cap with a cropped top, parachute pants, and oversized sneakers for a Y2K-worthy look that’s easy to throw on but comes off fresh and cool.

A Bucket Hat and Maxi-Dress

Known as a 90s mainstay and a staple for fishermen, the bucket hat has withstood the test of sartorial time to become a must-have summer staple. Utilitarian renderings are easy to come by, but we love bucket hats with a bit more boldness and individuality in their design. Need inspiration? Look for solid styles with contrasting printed liners that add a head-turning flair to your sun hat. They go with everything, but look particularly good paired in contrast to something more elevated, like a maxi-dress.

A Visor Hat and Shirt Dress

Visors may seem like a blast from the past but they’re still totally wearable, and dare we say chic, for today. We love this style of sun hat because you get all the benefits of shading your face without having to hide your hair (a win, win style scenario if you ask us!). When wearing a visor to a dressier event, accessorize them with hoop earrings and a dangling necklace to bring more visual interest to your face. Beyond your favorite tenniscore outfit, they look great with a shirtdress and sandals.

A Cowboy Hat and Printed Dress

Ride off into the summer sunset with a YellowStone-worthy cowboy hat. From Western to bohemian to beachy, the many styles of cowboy hats available speak to their lasting popularity and practicality. With the omnipresent Western trend seemingly never going out of style, this sun hat is an easy way to lasso the trend into your summer wardrobe. Wear one with a bright and bold printed dress for a Dua Lipa-approved music festival look.

A Newsboy Cap and Uniform-Inspired Outfit

Mix in a bit of '60s “mod” style to your look with a Newsboy cap. This classic hat is a bit of a dark horse when it comes to sun-protective options since its British roots are more associated with colder months, but we can’t help but think just how great they look in summer. Lean into mod styling by wearing a houndstooth newsboy cap and pairing it with a uniform-inspired monochromatic outfit for an OOTD that’s sleek and impossibly cool.

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