In the South, a land of long hot summers, a proper sun hat is a necessity. But something is shifting at the moment: Outrageously exuberant designs are popping up everywhere in lieu of the typical neutral straw styles—emblematic, perhaps, of post-pandemic hope and happiness. Here are a few of our favorite designers and their colorful creations.
Detail We Love: Pleats
Leave it to the stylish folks at Lorna Murray in sunny Australia to engineer stunning hats such as this red and white piece that folds flat for travel (yes, travel!) thanks to clever accordion pleats. $175; lornamurray.com
Detail We Love: Embroidery
The rainbow-hued flowers sewn into the natural fibers of this preorder-only piece by Lele Sadoughi remind me of the raffia embroidery you might see in Nassau, in the Bahamas. $195; lelesadoughi.com
Detail We Love: Florals
This feminine spin on the tomboy bucket hat by Ganni channels fun, but the snug fit is practical for windy days on the boat or the beach (and face-framing, to boot). $105; shopbop.com
Detail We Love: Pastels
Appreciate every single color in the rainbow? Chances are good you’ll find something to your liking from Artesano, such as this fringed mint green topper. $280; artesano.net
Detail We Love: Retro Prints
The sunshiny-yellow cotton canvas print on this floppy bucket silhouette by Lack of Color feels like something out of a Florida beach house circa 1970 in the best possible way. $119; lackofcolor.com
Detail We Love: Patchwork
Scallops? Prints? Florals? A little bit of everything goes into this dramatic take on the sun hat by Celia B, and the result is pure fun and whimsy. $80; celiab.com
Detail We Love: Stripes
The pinched crown on this style by Freya owes its charms to the classic but vivacious beachy blue stripes woven on the diagonal. $230; shopbop.com
Detail We Love: Gingham
I’ll take anything gingham any way that I can get it, from summer dresses and swimsuits to a cheerful hat like this one by Loeffler Randall. $60; anthropologie.com
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