How to Wear a Summer Hat
If you know me, you know I love a good baseball cap. They’re my go-to hat of choice, and I wear one basically every day no matter the season! In addition to my collection of baseball caps, I also own a couple of other hats that I pull out specifically in the summer (or for a beach vacation).
It’s especially important to pull out the hats in the hot summer months because if you live anywhere with summer weather like Boise (or hotter!), you know how intense the heat can be, even if it is a dry heat (no humidity). Hats can help decrease the risk of sunburn, especially hats with wide brims, and they can help you feel more comfortable while you enjoy time outside!
Since I know a lot about wearing hats and dressing for summer heat, this blog post serves as a guide on how to wear a summer hat! And trust me, your perfectly-shaped head can definitely pull off a hat and still look stylish.
READ NEXT: My Baseball Cap Collection
How to Wear a Summer Hat
I don’t know about you, but I’m no longer in my teens and waking up before the sun to make sure my hair is perfectly straightened and styled before I leave for school. I care way less about my hair and overall appearance these days than I used to, and because of that, I’ve fully embraced wearing hats in everyday life.
Below, I shared what to wear with summer hats, how to wear hats in the summer (along with 12 outfit ideas from the archives), and a short list of the best summer hats for women. Let’s dive in!
Should You Wear A Hat In Hot Weather?
As someone who is used to living through hot weather in the summer, I highly recommend wearing a hat if you know you’ll be outside in the heat for a long period of time.
Not only does a summer hat help to keep you cool (especially if it’s light-colored, which will reflect the sun’s rays better than a dark color) and shield your scalp, face, and possibly your neck from the sun, it can also elevate your summer outfits!
If you choose to wear a hat, be sure to ALSO wear sunscreen in addition to your hat. This is especially important if your hat is woven loosely.
What To Wear With Summer Hats
You can wear summer hats with almost any of your normal summer outfits, save for the outfits you wear for special occasions. (And even then, in some cases I’m sure a wide-brimmed hat could work, especially if you’re outside!)
Below are a handful of the best items to wear with your summer hats.
Sundresses
There’s nothing more summery than a sundress! I’m of the opinion that sundresses are generally fit-and-flare or fitted up top, loose through the skirt and in lightweight colors and patterns. Gingham dresses always come to mind…with a glass of crisp, fresh lemonade and the perfect summer hat!
Linen
It’s no secret that linen is one of the best fabrics to wear in summer heat because it’s natural and breathable! Whether you prefer linen dresses, linen tops/button-down shirts, linen shorts, or linen pants, the innate casualness of linen garments pairs perfectly with a hat.
Kaftans
I love loose, body-skimming kaftans. My favorite dress for a few years running now is a black kaftan dress because it still fit through a bunch of weight fluctuations! Kaftans can make you instantly feel put together even if you are wearing one over a swimsuit. Pick one with a wide brim!
Denim Shorts
I wear a variety of shorts in the summer—denim, linen, paperbag, cotton twill, etc. Of course, you can wear a summer hat with any of your favorite shorts. There’s just something about a pair of denim shorts and a baseball cap; they go together like hot dogs and beer. It’s an American classic!
Sandals
Like sundresses, hot summer weather calls for shoes that let the feet breathe! I own a plethora of sandals to complete my summer outfits, and coordinating your hat to your sandals—these act like “bookends” in your outfit—is a great way to make your outfits feel more intentional.
Straw Bag
I have a few favorite summer bags that I like to pull out for the warmer months and beach vacations, but one of my favorites is a straw bag. Just like a hat, a straw bag makes a summer outfit slightly more casual, so they go together well. Grab a straw bag next time you spend time at or near a beach!
How To Wear Hats In Summer
Summer Outfits with a Baseball Cap
Textured Top + Denim Shorts + Velvet Baseball Cap
In the summer, it can be more difficult to make your outfits look and feel interesting because you’re likely not wearing any layers compared to spring, fall, and winter outfits. Adding various textures (crochet, denim, velvet, etc.) in the few garments you DO wear can make all the difference.
Rainbow Striped Shirtdress + Canvas Baseball Cap
A bold shirtdress like this rainbow-striped option is the best kind of one-and-done outfit in the summer! Plus, I’m all about loose clothing when it’s hot out. Wear a coordinating canvas baseball cap to keep the sun out of your face. Wear this to wander around a downtown farmers market!
Chambray Shirt + Shorts + Sage Baseball Cap
A baseball cap in a similar tint but different hue (green!) makes this summer outfit more interesting. Don’t want to tuck your chambray shirt but you also don’t want it to be loose over the top? Unbutton the bottom buttons to the top of your shorts to show them off (and lengthen the leg line visually).
Striped Linen Shirt + Denim Shorts + White Baseball Cap
A stark white baseball cap is a bold choice in any outfit but especially in one where the bottom half is dark! A bright hat like this draws your eye to the top of your outfit, so wear one when you want that effect. I personally don’t mind looking like a referee at times in my stripes and white hat, ha.
Summer Outfits with a Packable Sun Hat
Tank Top + Denim Shorts + Packable Sun Hat
I love simple outfits in the summertime because they don’t require a lot of brain power. You can make this basic tank top and denim shorts outfit feel more complete by adding a canvas sun hat, straw bag, and a pair of the most comfortable summer sandals! (Psst: They’re from Everlane.)
Corduroy Shirt Jacket + Denim Shorts + Packable Sun Hat
On a cooler summer day (or in the evening when the sun goes down), layer a corduroy shirt jacket over your basic tank top and denim shorts outfit. I like having sun protection (head and eyes) even if it’s cloudy or cool outside; the sun’s rays can still reach you through the clouds!
Black Kaftan Dress + Packable Sun Hat
Like my shirtdress outfit above, this is another easy throw-on-and-go outfit, which is exactly the kind of outfit I like when I’m lounging by the pool or beach at the resort in Cabo San Lucas! My canvas packable sun hat pairs perfectly with my favorite lightweight black kaftan dress.
Paperbag Shorts + Straw Bag + Packable Sun Hat
I’m obsessed with this monochrome stick of butter outfit! It will always be one of my favorites. To achieve this look, combine garments in a similar color family. I chose cream, tan, and brown. The straw bag and sun hat were the missing pieces that completed this look for a Saturday spent downtown.
Summer Outfits with a Wide-brimmed Straw Hat
Chambray Dress + Platform Sandals + Wide-brimmed Straw Hat
My wide-brimmed floppy straw hat (and platform sandals) gave me some much-needed extra height among a field of wildflowers that were all almost as tall as I was! Wear a hat to give you something to hold onto or pose with if you’re taking family photos in the late summer flora.
Patterned Silk Shirt + Silk Shorts + Wide-brimmed Straw Hat
Somehow, I thought it would be a great idea to wear a wide-brimmed hat at a windy destination: the local wineries! If wind is something you’ll contend with, opt for a straw hat with a strap under the chin so it hopefully doesn’t blow away. Notice how my shoes coordinate with the hat here, too?
White Beach Kaftan + Wide-brimmed Straw Hat
My favorite beach kaftan and straw hat made the long trek to the Cook Islands for my 30th birthday! I wore the kaftan over my swimsuits when hanging out at the beach, and this look really wouldn’t be much of an “outfit” without the straw hat. Even though it’s straw, it really elevates the look!
Textured Top + Gold Sandals + Wide-brimmed Straw Hat
Have I mentioned that I bring this floppy straw hat with me on (almost) all of my beach vacations?! Ha! I couldn’t NOT wear it in Florida in the middle of summer. It’s a necessity at the beach. When not at the beach, I wore it with a classic summer outfit like this (with gold sandals because why not!).
What Are The Best Summer Hats For Women?
Baseball Caps
I’m definitely partial to a baseball cap because I wear them all of the time! Baseball caps are one of the best summer hats because of how versatile they are and how they are able to dress down any outfit. Summer is all about going with the flow and wearing loose, comfy clothes, and baseball caps are the perfect finishing touch to those types of summer outfits.
Packable Sun Hats
Packable sun hats is a pretty broad term; you can find packable hats in a variety of different materials and styles (bucket, Panama, fedora)! My own packable sun hat is a canvas material in a light color that reflects sunlight away from my head and face. Stick to lighter colors because they will help keep you cool! You can find packable sun hats in straw, nylon, and cotton.
Wide-brimmed Straw Hats
It’s just not a proper beachside vacation or poolside hang without a wide-brimmed straw hat. I’ve owned mine for years! (And I pack it carefully in my carry-on to bring it on trips.) There are a ton of styles to choose from, including Panama and fedora hats, and with a variety of bands (or none). Remember that you need extra sunscreen if your hat has a loose weave!
Other styles of summer hats to consider as you shop: bucket hats, fedoras, Panama hats, and visors!