Keep your face protected and your vacation ‘fits strong.
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Picture it: You’re posted up on the beach in your new bathing suit, frozen marg in hand, OOO email reply set, and ready to dive into your latest beach read. The cherry on top of your perfect day? A chic sun hat that not only protects you from UV rays, but also gives you some big main character energy while you’re living your best life.
As a self-proclaimed summer vacation expert, nothing brings me more joy than shopping for warm-weather essentials. There are a few must-haves I always pack with me, like a good beach bag, sunglasses, comfy walking sandals, lots of SPF, and most importantly? A sun hat I can wear everywhere from lounging on the beach to sightseeing and beyond. From cute crochet bucket hats to packable visors and oversized straw hats, there's no shortage of options when it comes to summer hats, no matter what your vibe is. So, to help you get a head-start on planning for your next vacation (and maybe to live vicariously through you), I rounded up all the best sun hats to pack in your suitcase.
Keep scrolling to shop this season's best sun hat options from brands like Free People, Madewell, Eugenia Kim, Revolve, and, of course, Amazon, for all my fellow last-minute shoppers. Oh, and just because you have a hat doesn't mean you don't need to buy some sunscreen for your face, too!! Stay protected, and happy sunbathing!
If you're looking for a sun hat that screams, "I was born to spend all my days sprawled out on the beach," look no further. This seashell-covered bucket hat, aka the ultimate summer vacation hat, will have you living your best mermaid-core life. Not only will the wide-brim keep the sun off your face, but the soft cotton knit fabric is both comfy and breathable—and will keep you cool all day long. Oh, and it pairs perfectly with beachy waves, just sayin'.
Waited til the last minute to buy a hat for vacation? Story of my life, I feel you. This top-rated straw Panama hat on Amazon has over 12,000 ratings, nearly five stars, tonnnns of glowing reviews, and you can get it with 2-day Prime shipping. Reviewers love the adjustable inside headband, wide-brim sun coverage, and the fact that it packs well in your suitcase. And as an added bonus, it features UPF 50 protection against the sun.
THE REVIEW: "Ordered this hat for a beach vacation," one buyer writes. "Worked well to keep the sun off my face. Hat is sturdy and traveled well. Great packaging - I will store it on the form and in the bag."
Yes, Monday Swimwear has the cutest bathing suits and cover-ups, but don't sleep on the brand's seriously chic sun hats to pair with them. Case in point: the Bondhi Hat, a packable straw hat featuring a frayed wide brim that's pretty much guaranteed to elevate any warm-weather look. Not dramatic enough for you? Don't worry, there's also an even bigger, wider-brim version available, too.
Packable? Check. Added UPF 50+ protection? Check. Chin strap to help keep it in place? Check. This no-frills, under-$20 Amazon bucket hat is a must if you're looking for a sun hat that's lightweight, can be rolled up and easily packed into a suitcase, and still gives plenty of coverage for your face.
THE REVIEW: "Great hat with amazing sun coverage," one buyer writes. This hat has a great brim which shielded my face and neck from the sun. I loved that it had a wired brim so I can flip it up a little to see better while crossing the street. Wore it all day and it was super comfortable. I loved that I could make a small bun and the hat was tall enough to fit my bun."
I'm a sucker for a crochet bucket hat. It's physically impossible not to look so damn cool while wearing one, and this checkered Gigi Pip style is all the proof you need. Reviewers love how easy it is to pack and fold up without losing shape and that it's available in four different sizes. If the checkered look isn't your vibe, it's also available in stripes, a solid natural color, and black.
THE REVIEW: "So cute!! Packs well and easy to reshape," one buyer writes. "Love it!!"
Put this hat on, and you're instantly the main character in a Nancy Meyers film—you can't tell me otherwise. Whether you're gardening vegetables, mysteriously strolling the seaside, or getting drunk on a boat with your besties (live your best life, bb), this statement straw sun hat will make sure you look s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g while doing so. And not only does it look chic as hell, but the fabric also features UPF 50+ sun protection, and the cotton necktie is detachable (though idk why you'd ever want to remove it). *Immediately adds to cart*
THE REVIEW: "I have been admiring this hat for almost a year- I love the silhouette and the fact that you can tie it under your chin. Finally took the plunge when there was a free shipping promotion, but I wish I hadn't waited! I use Tretinoin on my skin every day, so shielding myself outside is so important. I've been wearing this hat so much. Sun Protection? Check. Beautiful and striking? Check. Stays on in the wind? Check. Couldn't ask for more. Loveeeee it."
Available in four desert-toned colors (though this Dark Copper is a standout choice), Madewell's Lantern Straw Hat is a bestseller for a reason. The woven-style hat is packable, so it won't get completely crushed in your suitcase, and available in two different size options. But best of all, the lightweight sand cutout design is super breathable, so your head won't get all sweaty under there—no matter how hot it is out there. Win-win.
THE REVIEW: "Beautiful summertime straw hat that goes with everything," one buyer writes. "This is lightweight and chic for the poolside to beachside."
Did someone say dramatic poolside glamour? This giant, floppy hat is giving I'm the owner of this yacht. It's giving my husband may have vanished in mysterious circumstances, and what about it? But it's also giving top-rated bestseller. Reviewers LOVE the amount of sun coverage it provides, plus the fact that, despite its size, it's still extremely packable and doesn't lose its shape. Available in six colors, there's a perfect match for whatever your vacay or summer aesthetic is, trust me.
THE REVIEW: "Has the glam floppy look, but isn’t structurally floppy, even with the enormous brim. Provides total coverage without obscuring the view, and yes, you can pack it and it will recover its shape just fine," one reviewer writes. "Attracts regular compliments from strangers."
Beyoncé declared it the summer of yee-haw, and what better way to dive in than with a straw cowboy hat? This breathable cutout style features an adjustable chin strap to take on windy days hands-free. And just picture it with a bikini and oversized button-down cover-up or denim cutoffs? It's time to channel your inner Cowboy Carter.
THE REVIEW: "The hat came in great condition, symmetrical. Great quality for the price," one buyer writes.
Trust me (and thousands of reviewers) when I say that you're going to want to stock up on this affordable Amazon find. But actually, this $18 frayed cotton bucket hat is available in over 30 colors (yes, rly!), including everything from blue denim to bright yellow and every neutral under the sun. Testers rave about how well it fits, how comfortable it is, and how great it is for travel. And it doesn't hurt that it has that '90s cool factor, either.
THE REVIEW: "I've been looking for a bucket style hat, but had some problems finding one to fit my massive melon of a head! This one fits perfectly, not too tight.I love the cotton material, nice and lightweight, and the brim is the perfect width - a bit wider than a regular bucket hat, so it keeps the sun off nicely. Will definitely buy a couple more in different colors, it's THAT good :)"
Presenting: a beach LEWK. Yes, straw sun hats are forever a classic, but this bold printed style is a breath of fresh air. Available in four statement prints (including a bright pink, an animal print, and a black and white floral), this Faithfull the Brand sun hat is made of a cotton canvas fabric that's breathable for hot summer days. The best part? The brand also has matching pareos, so you can really make this a full-on lewk from head to toe.
Want sun protection for your face without getting hat hair or a sweaty scalp? You need a sun visor, bb. And, no, this is not your grandmother's visor; this is a seriously cool straw, frayed iteration from hat brand Eugenia Kim. The adjustable style allows for comfortable wear, no matter your head size, and the linen headband helps add comfort while combatting sweat. Yes, pls.
*Clears throat* I am once again here to go on a rant about how good J.Crew is again. But seriously, the retailer is still in its extremely chic comeback era, and it's got all the summer essentials you could need, like this wide-brim raffia bucket hat, to prove it. Available in black or natural straw, this hat is loved by reviewers for its packable design and the fact that the oversized wide brim covers the face oh-so-nicely.
THE REVIEW: "This is a good looking packable hat," one reviewer writes. "Nice raffia. I order two sizes and kept the sm/med. I think the hat size runs large. I am taking it to Italy with me."
In case it was unclear, I love a dramatic sun hat. And this statement, hand-crocheted straw hat is another style worth adding to your cart. The unique shape will stand out against a crowd of fedoras and bucket hats, and the wide brim will keep your face completely protected from the sun. Oh, and it also has an interior sweatband to help you keep cool out there. Fashion and function? We love to see it.
Another hot new visor bombshell enters the villa. For all the girlies who want to wear their ponytails freely, this visor's packable, roll-up design and under-$20 price tag have made it a favorite among thousands of Amazon shoppers. Reviewers love the adjustable fit, Velcro enclosure, sturdy brim, and perfectly floppy sun protection. And its slightly oversized, floppy wide brim makes it look just as stylish as it is functional.
THE REVIEW: "I am not a big fan of hats in the summer time because my scalp sweats and gets overheated massively but this was perfect! I wore this on a trip to Punta Cana in the DR in JUNE! Crazy hot but this was a cute fashionable visor style straw hat," one buyer writes. "The center was open so my scalp felt the breeze as I wanted it too. The visor blocked the sun from my face as I needed it too. I love the velcro adjustable strap for sizing. I was able to tighten it enough to not blow off in the wind and loosen it enough to not cause a headache or migraine. Great quality and very flexible. I was able to fold it up tightly to not take up suitcase space but to also not damage or cause permanent creases."
As you probably know, Cosmo’s lifestyle and shopping team spends all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality content we’d want for ourselves (and our standards are preeeetty darn high, TBH).
It’s also really important to us that each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and we try to make sure the products we feature are good for both you and our planet. If we wouldn’t buy something for ourselves, we sure as heck won’t recommend it to you—and we’re always gonna keep it really, really real. Pinky swear.
Lauren Alexis Fisher is the Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing digital content across fashion, lifestyle, beauty, sex, and culture. Previously, she was the Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR and has written for publications including WWD, Bustle, and W Magazine. When she’s not busy taste-testing her way through every dirty martini in New York, you can follow her on Instagram for bad jokes, good outfits, and annoying vacation pics.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
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