We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
14 Best Sun Hats Derms Recommend for Stylish Protection
No shade, but your beach outfit isn’t complete without a sun hat.
Byrdie
TL;DR
The Sungrubbies Solara Sun Hat earned itself our top spot because it’s so cute with its removable black scarf detail, as well as providing ideal sun protection. For a dramatic look, we’re totally in love with the Monday Swimwear Bondi Hat, which has an extra-wide brim that’s adorably frayed at the edges.
We all know the mood-boosting effects of vitamin D on the body, but prolonged sun exposure can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Along with regular sunscreen, a sun hat helps safeguard your skin and your hair!—from UV rays.
“Sun hats will protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun’s rays but also protect your eyes from the sun’s glare and your hair from becoming sun-damaged,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D.
Sun hats are also stylish accessories for vacation outfits. With insight and guidance from experts in mind, we searched high and low to find the best sun hats. After evaluating them on material, UPF rating, shape, fit, sizing, style, and functionality, we narrowed it down to these designs worth buying.
Top Picks
Sungrubbies Solara Sun Hat at Sungrubbies.com
Jump to Review
ASOS Oversized Sun Hat at Asos$28$21
Jump to Review
Monrowe Seagrass at Monrowenyc.com
Jump to Review
Telfar Denim Bucket Hat at Telfar.net
Jump to Review
Anthropologie Floppy Straw Plaited Sun Hat at Anthropologie
Jump to Review
Deseri Western Hat at Deseri.com
Jump to Review
Gigi Pip Blair Terry Bucket Hat at Gigipip.com
Jump to Review
Coolibar Brittany Beach Hat at Amazon$59
Jump to Review
San Diego Hat Company Signature Ultrabraid Visor at Amazon$18
Jump to Review
Monday Swimwear Bondi Hat at Mondayswimwear.com
Jump to Review
Best Overall
Sungrubbies Solara Sun Hat
Size Range: M-4XL | Materials: Paper, polyester | Colors: 1
The perfect sun hat is practical and adorable, which is why this one from Sungrubbies has earned itself our coveted top spot. This sweet, wide-brimmed straw hat comes with a black scarf threaded through it like a ribbon, but you can also replace it with a colorful scarf or ribbon of your choosing. We love that this one is certified UPF 50+ and comes in several sizes. Plus, it’s on the lower end of the price range.
Best Budget
ASOS Oversized Sun Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 1
For a day at the beach, it doesn’t get much cuter than a seashell-themed bucket hat—especially if said hat also happens to be totally budget-friendly. This one from ASOS is made from 100% cotton, making it super breathable for those hot weather days, and the ties mean you won’t lose your adorable new accessory to a sudden gust of wind. By the way, the full look is also an option if you want to spring for the matching bikini top and bottom, too.
Best Splurge
Monrowe Seagrass
Size Range: S-L | Materials: Seagrass | Colors: 1
If you’re going to really invest in a sun hat, it makes sense you’d want to give your money to a beautiful brand that aligns with your values. Monrowe is a luxury, Black-owned label that makes exquisite hats, which are worth every penny of their higher price tags. The Seagrass bucket hat is handcrafted from, you guessed it, seagrass (which is ethically sourced), and will protect you from the sun while elevating your every outfit.
Best Bucket Hat
Telfar Denim Bucket Hat
Size Range: S-XL | Materials: Cotton, polyester | Colors: 1
If you’re going to wear a hat with a very conspicuous logo, you’d better make it the logo from a very cool brand like Telfar. This denim bucket hat is very possibly the ’90s-inspired headwear that has been missing from your warm-weather wardrobe, and we’d advise getting your hands on it asap. The denim fabric is neutral enough to make a fabulous gift for your fashion-inclined friends.
Best Floppy
Anthropologie Floppy Straw Plaited Sun Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Paper straw, polyester | Colors: 2
Anthropologie has always been a go-to for elevated clothing and accessories that make us feel like we have our lives together—and that’s certainly how we feel about this particular floppy hat. Available in black or sand, it will protect you from the sun thanks to its wide brim, and it’s so easy to style for all your summertime plans.
Best Western
Deseri Western Hat
Size Range: S-L | Materials: Australian wool | Colors: 6
Made for the fashion lovers who have Cowboy Carter on repeat (and who can blame you?), this Western hat is not only incredibly cool but also very luxurious. It’s crafted from 100% Australian wool and comes in six colors, ranging from neutral to fairly out there. We’ll admit, we’re really lusting over the candy pink version. Though this one is on the higher end of the price range for sun hats, we never regret paying a bit more for a brand we really admire—and Deseri, a Black and woman-owned small label, definitely fits that description.
Best Terry Cloth
Gigi Pip Blair Terry Bucket Hat
Size Range: XS (55) – XL (61) | Materials: Cotton terry cloth | Colors: 2
Terry cloth never fails to give us that lovely nostalgic feeling of the early 2000s, not to mention it’s super practical as an absorbent fabric to dry your beach hair. This bucket hat from beloved hat brand Gigi Pip comes in either black or butter yellow and makes for a playful addition to your summer outfits. It also has a larger brim than your average bucket hat, making it more protective, and is both foldable and packable, which is always appreciated.
Best Derm-Approved
Coolibar Brittany Beach Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Linen, cotton | Colors: 9
Dr. Ingleton recommends Coolibar for serious sun protection in the form of a cute, easy-to-wear bucket hat. The brand’s Brittany Beach Hat offers UPF 50+ protection (which blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays), thanks to the tightly knit cotton and linen blend fabrication and ultrawide, 6-inch brim. You’ll find a fully lined crown and elastic string for adjustable sizing. Consider getting one of the darker colors, like this chic and classic black, for even more shielding from those rays.
Best Packable
San Diego Hat Company Signature Ultrabraid Visor
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Paper, polyester | Colors: Many
We’re always delighted when a great piece comes in dozens of colorways, meaning we can stock up on a few different ones to better suit our mood. This visor from San Diego Hat Company comes in classic straw color with contrast brims, but also in hot pink, lime green with a pink rim, and pretty much every color in between. It’s also super cute—especially for those whose greatest fashion inspiration is Sharpay Evans in High School Musical 2. With its four-inch brim and UPF 50, this one will keep you well protected from the sun, too. It’s easily packable, so you can bring it with you for all your upcoming adventures.
Best Extra Wide Brim
Monday Swimwear Bondi Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Straw | Colors: 1
You’ll be absolutely sure to stand out in this cool-girl straw hat with frayed edges. The extra wide brim brings you extra sun protection that’s so necessary when it’s hot out. Against all odds, this hat is actually foldable and packable.
Best Active
Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Recycled nylon | Colors: 5
Who says active hats can’t be lots of fun? Cotopaxi’s Tech Bucket Hat comes in a great range of solid colors and color-block options, which will brighten up your outdoor sports gear exponentially. Made from recycled nylon in a Fair Trade Certified factory, this one offers UPF 50+ sun protection and is breathable, which is a must when you’re sweating both from exercise and from the weather. Though it may be one size, the adjustable strap means you can adapt it to suit your particular head.
Best Baseball Cap
Vacation Jazz Palms Rope Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Cotton chino twill | Colors: 1
It may feel a bit niche to purchase your sun hat from a sunscreen brand, but if you think about it, who better than Vacation to provide you with a cute accessory and effective sun protection all in one? True to the brand’s edgy, retro aesthetic, this baseball cap features a multicolored “Jazz Palms” design, plus a rope edge detail that adds a little je ne sais quoi.
Best Visor
alo Colorblock Visor
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 2
We can’t get enough of Alo for cute and functional sportswear that inspires us to hit the gym, or the courts, or the golf course—the latter two being where we see ourselves wearing the heck out of this visor. Available in two color block options, black and white or macadamia and white, it is made from breathable cotton and offers partial sun protection.
Best Colorful
Lost Pattern “Day Dream” Reversible Sun Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Recycled polyester | Colors: 4
We get it—sand-colored straw hats aren’t for everyone. If you’re of the opinion that you can never have too much color in your outfit, you’ll want to check out this stunning bucket hat from Lost Pattern. Made from recycled polyester, each of the four variants is reversible, so you effectively end up with two hats in one. But she’s not just a pretty face! This hat boasts a foldable brim, UPF 50+ sun protection, and optional straps for the perfect fit.
What to Look for in Sun Hats
- Material: Dr. Ingleton recommends materials that are densely woven yet breathable, like denim, canvas, or wool. “If you can see light through the fabric when you hold it up to the light, then UV radiation can easily penetrate the fabric and reach your skin,” she says.
- Shape: “Select a wide-brimmed style that protects your face, neck, and ears,” says Dr. Ingleton. “Avoid hats with an open crown.” Fashion stylistMaggie Stewart recommends a wide brim as well, noting that it should extend at least 3 inches for optimal protection.
- Style and functionality: Can the hat be styled in multiple ways? Is it packable? Is it machine-washable? These are just a few of the questions our experts ask themselves when choosing their hats. Choosing foldable styles that don’t feel too precious will make a day trip to the beach or an extended getaway easier, while not taking up too much space in your suitcase.
- Color: While you can absolutely wear lighter hats and still experience protection from the sun, it’s known that darker and more vivid colors actually draw in radiation, meaning it’s an added layer of protection.
Meet Our Experts
To write this article, Byrdie consulted the following experts:
- Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D., FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, medical director of Ingleton Dermatology P.C., and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
- Debbie Lorenzo is a hat designer and the founder of the luxury millinery brand Frances Grey.
- Maggie Stewart is a fashion stylist and interior design specialist.
Why Trust Byrdie
Taylor Augustin Littlejohn is a beauty and fashion writer. She lives in Newport Beach, CA, and spends most of her weekends lounging on her front patio or walking to the beach, with sunscreen and a sun hat always at the ready.
Iris Goldsztajn is a Paris-born, London-based freelance writer with over 10 years of experience covering fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. Iris has been a contributing commerce writer for Byrdie since 2024, writing fashion and beauty shopping stories.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-sun-hats-11753813