The Best Sun Hats for Summer
This season’s edit celebrates expert craftsmanship and beachy elegance
Read more
The Best Sun Hats to Wear this Summer
This season’s edit celebrates expert craftsmanship and beachy elegance
Growing up in Australia, the words ‘slip, slop, slap’ were part of the national vernacular. The phrase was coined in 1981 as the tagline for a sun protection campaign, with the idea being that you’d ‘slip on a t-shirt’, ‘slop on some sunscreen’ and ‘slap on a hat’. As with all great copywriting, the message has stuck around, repeated like a mantra for adults and children alike. I still find myself muttering it under my breath when packing for a holiday or a day at the beach.
The motto is also a useful shopping list for a summertime visit to Liberty. We’ve got the ‘slip’ covered in our edit of t-shirts, and you’ll find extensive SPF options in the Beauty Hall. As for the ‘slap’, below are our favourite hats to complete the trio.
The Little Black Hat
Totême Paper Straw Hat, £190
Staying elegant in the heat is a tough brief. Swedish label Totême has the right idea - beloved for clean lines and flattering silhouettes, this simple black straw hat is an exercise in Scandi cool (even when the temperature isn’t). Wear it with a sleek one piece like Farm Rio’s monochrome ‘Coconut’ style.
Shop NowThe Striped Hat
Maison N.H. Paris Sarah Raffia Hat, £160
Another go-to for summer elegance is Franco-Japanese Maison N.H. Paris, who specialise in handmade raffia hats and bags. “The French side is the holiday inspiration, the natural element and the nonchalance,” explains co-founder Noriko Ishizaka. “The Japanese side is about quality control and very simple, pure design.” The pieces are made by skilled artisans in Madagascar, who work closely with Noriko and co-founder Hiromi to bring the pieces to life.
Shop nowThe Go-Anywhere Hat
Ganni Bleached Denim Bucket Hat, £145
Another Scandinavian favourite, the Ganni girl is known for her love of prints, colour, and carefree attitude. Her social calendar is a busy one, so she needs something durable and easy, ready for a spontaneous beach day or summer lunch. You can just imagine her bundling this cotton bucket hat into her bag and jumping on the train for an adventure.
Shop nowThe Sporty Visor
Christys' Visor Raffia Hat, £70
Wimbledon might be over, but that doesn’t mean abandoning the tennis trend. Christys’ raffia visor blends the sporty aesthetic with a traditionally beachy material, fastening with an easy velcro strap. With years of experience behind them (251 to be exact - the brand was founded in 1773), this seemingly simple style carries centuries of expert millinery and craftsmanship.
Shop nowThe City Cap
Acne Studios Face Logo Patch Cap, £140
Particularly in London, it’s easy to get complacent about sun protection. Whilst the sun might not be as intense as somewhere warmer, it’s still possible to absorb harmful UV rays - even from the UK’s feeble summer efforts. This simple cap folds easily into a handbag, ready to protect you when the sun finally decides to shine.
shop nowThe Fun Hat
La DoubleJ Late For The Fiesta Hat, £240
Italian label La DoubleJ is like the fashion equivalent of an Aperol Spritz - joyful, festive and symbolic of a good time. According to them, their pieces are “created with the intention to create joy and raise your vibration,” a mood that is encapsulated in this colourful straw hat.
Shop nowThe Classic Hat
Christys’ Panama Extra Wide Hat, £135
Interesting fact - the panama hat is not actually from Panama, instead it originated in Ecuador. The name was coined in the early 20th Century, when President Roosevelt was photographed observing the construction of the Panama canal. Some 120 years later, and the style has become a timeless classic for warmer climes.
Shop Now
