Summer Hats

Stay in the Shade

Summer is a great time to wear a hat and in recent years summer hats have been making a big comeback as more people are learning that they need to protect themselves from the sun. It has only been in the last few years that scientists have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the UV rays the come from the sun are in fact very bad for your overall health. Summer hats are considered by many doctors as one of the best ways to protect yourself from these rays and keep you cool at the same time.

Summer hats are as much a part of mankind's history as any other part of our clothing as we have always looked for better ways to keep cool when we have to be out in the hot summer sun. Although the summer hat has undergone many different changes in style and color, the basic function of the sun hat has not changed; it is supposed to help you stay cooler in the heat of the sun by keeping your head out of the direct glare of the sun.

Historically Speaking

For many centuries straw hats were the most common summer hats and still today some of the most popular sun hats are made from straw. This material is chosen because at one point in time it was extremely easy to come by, almost everywhere in the world has some form of grass or straw that can be woven into a lightweight hat. This woven straw could be used to make hats of every size simply by adding or subtracting from the weave. This meant that no material had to be purchased and the hats were very inexpensive to make.

Of the different summer hats made from straw the most popular is the Panama, which is actually made in Ecuador for a specific type of straw known as Toquilla. The open weave design and wide brim make this the perfect summer hat. While this type of sun hat saw a decline in popularity for several years in the latter half of the 20th century, it has once again become popular in part due to cultural influences of some of today's top musicians and Hollywood stars.

Of Modern Times

While straw hats have been making a comeback in recent history, there is another style of summer hats that has been quietly stealing the show. Bucket hats have been sneaking up on the world and while at one time they were considered silly, they are now being taken very seriously as a soft comfortable way to keep the sun at bay.

Made from soft cotton these bucket shaped hats have a nice wide brim, that when turned down provides plenty of shade for your eyes and face as well as your neck. One of the nice things about these summer hats is that because they are cloth they can be tossed in the washing machine and cleaned when they get sweaty and dirty.

If you are going to be spending any time out in the summer sun, whether it is for fun or pleasure you need to make sure that you pick out a summer hat that is going to offer you plenty of protection from the sun.