In summer, the hat returns to its first purpose: giving shade. A brim of a few centimetres is enough to protect the face and the neck from the sun, while letting the head breathe — provided you choose the right material and the right shape.
The great families of summer
- The panama: woven from paja toquilla, light and structured, the dressed summer hat par excellence.
- The capeline: the most generous brim of all, ideal for long days outdoors, the beach and ceremonies.
- The bucket hat: soft and easy, it slips into a bag and embraces informality; in washed cotton, it lasts the whole summer.
- The cloth cap: minimal but effective protection for the city, sport and children in a hurry.
- Medium-brimmed straws, summer trilbies and fedoras: the compromise between style and lightness.
Choose according to real use
Ask yourself a simple question: where will this hat spend its days? For the terrace and the holidays, a wide brim is fully justified. For the city, public transport and cycling, a bucket hat or a short-brimmed straw will be worn far more often. The best summer hat is not the most spectacular one; it is the one that leaves the house with you every morning.
As for colour, pale tones — natural, sand, ecru — reflect the light and go with the whole summer wardrobe. A dark band or ribbon is enough to structure the whole. Dyed straws, more assertive, are superb by the sea but call for an outfit that answers them.
Good habits for the season
Straw fears two things: crushing and dry heat. Do not leave your hat at the bottom of a suitcase without padding it, or on the rear shelf of a car in the sun. After a swim or a shower of rain, let it dry in the open air. And if you perspire, dab the inner band with a slightly damp cloth from time to time: it will repay you by staying fresh all summer long.