Block the Sun with the Best Straw Hat

Buying Guide: Choosing a Leading Straw Hat

Undying love for hats has spread worldwide, and one of the types of hats, i.e., the straw hat, is made from tightly woven natural or synthetic straw material. It is ideal for sun protection, and luckily it is available for both men and women. These hats have been a common part of the wardrobe for Europeans and Asians. The major reason for the popularity of these hats is their lightweight and comfortable wear.

Do Straw Hats Provide Sun Protection?

Straw hats are made by interweaving straw, and the tightness of the weave determines the level of sun protection. The tighter the weave is, the smaller the holes in the hat and the less the sunlight passing through it. Thus, a straw hat can offer excellent sun protection or can be useless. When shopping for the right straw hat, it is best to hold the hat up to the sun and see how much light is coming through it. However, you can check the description box to see the UPF factor if you are shopping online. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. If you need maximum protection from the sun, then it is best to get a straw hat with UPF 50.

What Are the Types of Straw Hats?

Boater straw style

Boater hats have historically been part of formal attire, and people usually wore them in warm weather. You might also find it interesting that there were times when men were given an official day where they were supposed to switch from their regular hats to boater hats. Usually, it was the second Saturday of May, and it was called the “Straw Hat Day”.

Boater hats are generally made with stiff straw, so the hat has a distinct look and a stiff brim and crown. These days, you will find many young boys in the UK, South Africa, and Australia wearing boater hats to their college as a part of the uniform. Similarly, the hat holds a distinct place in the wardrobe of fashion and travel bloggers, especially women, thanks to Madame Coco Chanel. Those traveling through Europe have a special love for boater-style hats, and those who have been to Venice will agree with it. These hats have proven their timeless reliability, and fashion followers cannot throw them in the dark. However, these hats have a short brim, so they are ineffective at protecting against the sun.

Panama straw hats

Next in line is the Panama straw hat which is famous for its breathability and comfortable wear. These hats are quintessential hats for people on vacation. Traditionally people preferred wearing it with a light linen or silk suit because companies made the hat from Toquilla straw with a very light color. As we discussed earlier, the tighter the weave, the more the straw hat can protect against the sun, but it will be more expensive. The same rule is applied to Panama hats, and they have a strong, tight weave, making them highly effective in sun protection. Hence, it is a famous hat option for tourists as they get sun protection stylishly.

After President Roosevelt wore them a couple of times, Panama hats gained their popularity while visiting the Panama Canal. Since then, it has become a fashion statement for everyone, and it portrays style, confidence, and elegance. These days, you will see many celebrities like Khole Kardashian and Amal Clooney pair the Panama straw hat with a style dress to look flawless.

Fedora straw hat

There is a common confusion between Panama hats and fedora hats that they are the same. However, they are identical because Panama hats are defined by the material Toquilla straw, while Fedora hats have their shape. Another notable difference is that while companies can make Panama hats from straw only, fedora hats are made from other materials like felt. All in all, a fedora hat has a pinched front, low crown, and a wide brim, making it an excellent hat to block the sun.

Fedora straw hats are unisex and a top choice for travelers because of their immense lightweight, excellent sun protection, and beautiful design. You can easily pair this hat with any outfit because of its light color.

Floppy beach straw hat

Mostly the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear the word ‘straw hat’ is a beach hat. A floppy beach straw hat has been in fashion for a long time, and it has been the perfect partner for women traveling to the beach. The broad brim of the hat provides the perfect sun protection and keeps your face safe from sunburns. Sometimes the brim can be as wide as 10 inches, so it even provides you shoulder sun protection.

You need to pay special attention to the UPF factor and the tightness of the weave. It is highly common for people to get sunburns at the beach, so experts recommend taking the top straw hat for maximum protection.

Lifeguard straw hat

Found across the coast of California, the lifeguard straw hat has an adjustable chin strap and a unique high crown. Lifeguard hats are made with highly thick straw and a loose weave, so it is not ideal for sun protection. However, these hats are extremely stylish and provide mediocre protection from mild sun rays. Lastly, don’t be fooled by the name of the hat; it is famous for anglers, gardeners, and lifeguards.

Garden straw hat

As the name suggests, these hats are a popular choice amongst gardeners due to their lightweight and chin straps. Gardening activities require you to run here and there while bending over and doing multiple activities, so carefully choose a garden straw hat that stays in its place.

Derby straw hat

The last type of straw hat is the Derby straw hat, a take on fashion for women. These hats are made from the finest straw and have the shape of a lampshade crown. Furthermore, it has a wide brim for the best sun protection and adds oomph to your outfit.