Best Sun Hats to Protect Your Skin

Many of you know how vigilant I am about protecting my skin from the sun, (a case of melanoma will tend to do that) and hats are a stylish way to do it. Tiny hats are cute, but I opt for ones with more coverage and have worn them with confidence for years. Not only do they shield my skin from the harmful rays of the sun, but they are great at covering bad hair days and grown-out roots if you color your hair. The other thing I love about hats is the attitude they give to an outfit.

With warmer weather approaching, I know many of us will be spending more time outdoors. Today, we’re diving into the world of sun hats, and I’m sharing some of my favorites from wide brim straw hats to ball caps and everything in between to keep you protected.

PS- If you feel like you look silly in hats, you may just be choosing the wrong style for your face. I talk a lot about choosing the proper hat for you in this post.

If you love sun protection or are traveling soon with a hat and trying to figure out how to pack it, I’ve linked some other posts that you’ll find helpful below.

My Personal Favorite Sun Hats

The Best Sun Hats to Protect Your Skin

1. Brixton Joanna Straw Hat

I’ve had this hat in the classic beige straw and black ribbon for years. I reach for it more than any other hat I own so when I spotted this vanilla-colored one, I had to add it to my wardrobe because it goes with all of my softer colors. It also comes in a gorgeous lilac.

You can, and I have, spent a small fortune on a great hat, but this Brixton Joanna with UPF50+ protection is a stylish, sturdy hat at a fabulous price.

2. Lack of Color Scalloped Dolce Hat

I love the scalloped edge on this Lack of Color hat. These are the sort of details that make hats unique and fun. The ribbon will also help keep it on your head if it’s windy or you’re moving around a lot. It offers UPF 50+ protection, which makes it even better!

3. Super Wide Brim Bucket Hat UPF50+

Protect your face, neck, and shoulders from the harsh rays with this super wide-brim bucket hat. The strap can be snugged down securely for the windiest day so it’s great for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and all of those outdoor activities. It’s a water-resistant fabric and has mesh panels to help keep it breathable. I have this one in beige and I love it for my daily walks plus scrunches into any bag without getting wrecked.

4. Multifunctional Bucket Sun Hat

This hat can be worn in four different ways. It has a detachable top and flaps which gives you as little or as much coverage as you want. You can wear it as a visor, a regular sun hat, a sun hat with a neck shield, or a sun hat with a neck and face shield (like pictured). This may look like overkill, but it would be great for so many situations where you are in direct sunlight like doing yard work in the middle of the day, walking in the direction of the sun on the beach, sitting on the bleachers watching a grandchild play a sport, etc. You can always remove the face and neck shield once the harshest sunlight hours of the day have passed and place them into your handbag.

5. San Diego Hat Company X-Large Brim Hat

This is the style of hat I take with me when we head somewhere tropical. It gives adequate coverage from the sun since it has UPF50+ protection, and an extra wide brim to shield my face, neck, and shoulders. Plus, this style of hat is surprisingly easy to pack. The one con about big floppy hats like this on the beach is that they could use a chin strap to keep them on in case of a big gust of wind! I have one like this that I keep by the back door and pop on to pick ripe tomatoes, etc from our veggie garden in the summer.

6. Verabella Lightweight Sunhat with Bow UPF50+

Speaking of chin straps, this pretty little sunhat with a bow has a detachable chin strap to keep it in place. It’s foldable, packable, and comes in several colors. If you have longer hair, this style of hat will also accommodate a ponytail or low bun. I also like this option for sitting against a beach chair.

7. Sunday Afternoons Sol Seeker

I love the decorative headband on this hat and the fact that it has adjustable internal sizing so you can get the perfect fit for all-day wear. This classic shape flatters most face shapes and is available in three other colors.

8. Lack of Color Seashell Boater Hat

I love a great boater shape. They look modern and classic at the same time with a flat top and straight brim. The neutral beaded strap gives it a fun coastal grandmother vibe making it ideal for a trip to the coast, a tropical vacation, or just the farmers market in your hometown.

9. UPF50+ Baseball Cap

This baseball cap is moisture-wicking making it a wonderful option for those of you who love to do active outdoor sports like running or playing golf or pickleball or simply cover a bad hair day. I don’t own a baseball cap, but they’re starting to appeal to me for the vibe they give a sporty outfit.

How to Make a Hat Fit Your Head

I’ve learned that few hats fit perfectly right out of the gate, so I highly recommend these stick-on foam strips. All you have to do is add them to the inside of your hat band.

Shop More of the Best Sun Hats:

Do you wear hats? What are your favorite shapes?