"I am not usually a hat girlie. I have a hard time finding ones that fit my head right and even when I do, I forget I have them in my closet. The ones that I own, albeit only a few, don’t get worn often, but in the summertime, they are my saving grace. I’d even go as far as to say that they’re my favorite summer accessory. And it’s not just because protecting your skin from the pesky UV rays is important—they’re also a great option when it’s too hot out to heat style hair and prevent your scalp from getting any dreaded sunburn.
On any summer vacation, I pack at least three or four hats, depending on the length of the trip and what I plan to be wearing. And before you try to tell me that four hats are too many for vacation, hear me when I say that they all have different purposes. Some have a wide brim which makes them practical for sun protection, some are great for workouts (and yes, I work out on vacation), and some are simply just for rounding out some of my vacation looks.
TL;DR: I’m a summer hat stan, especially on vacation. If you’re looking to purchase a few summer hats for your next vacation, you came to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best hats to pack for your next vacation, and are giving you some styling tips so you can make the most out of them on your trip.
18 Summer Hats For Your Next Vacation
Bucket Hats
When bucket hats came back into the scene a few years ago, I remember thinking, What in the world is happening to fashion? But much like how bike shorts were shocking before becoming an athleisure mainstay, I now find them to be one of the most fun and quirky hats to wear—especially by the pool on vacation. They’re easy to pack because they typically lack structure and they don’t take up much space at all in your beach bag, making them one of the best summer hats for your next vacation.
This denim bucket hat is finished with embroidered eyelets and a sweatband, ensuring that it'll be comfortable and cute from the pool to brunch.
You can't go wrong with this crochet bucket hat. Because of its light, neutral tone, it'll go with any outfit and keep you from getting too hot in the sun.
2 colors available
If you love the look of a bucket hat but want more sun coverage, this washed bucket hat is your best bet. It features a wide, floppy brim and straps that tie under the chin.
5 colors available
Straw Hats
Straw hats scream summer, do they not? From a large wide-brim hat to a straw sun hat with a chin strap, there are endless options that come in any shape and style. While they aren’t always the most packable hat, they do come in handy on vacation when it comes to protecting your face from the sun, so I recommend wearing them in the airport or strapping them to your carry-on bag so you don’t have to worry about packing them.
Featuring a wide-brim style and a dainty knotted band detail, this sweet, shady hat is perfect for days spent in the sun. Since it is made of 100% straw, it's mid-weight and has a structured shape.
This natural fiber hat features a braided cord detail that will compliment any of your vacation looks. Since the brim is on the smaller side, you can carefully pack it without taking up too much precious space in your bag.
Packable Hats
Hats are a vacation essential—we know this—but packing them can be a real pain. If you don’t want to ruin your favorite hats by forcing them into your weekender bag or be bothered lugging them around the airport, packable sun hats are your best bet. They come in all different shapes and sizes and are meant to be rolled or folded. And since they take up minimal space, you can pack as many as your heart desires, which is definitely something that I can get behind.
Because of its design and straw material, this hat is designed to keep its shape no matter how many times you squeeze it into your suitcase, carry-on, or beach bag.
3 colors available
This linen and cotton hat features a frayed, raw-cut brim and comfortable, classic design. Due to its flexible shape, you can easily fold it up without fear of ruining it.
2 colors available
Cowboy Hats
You don’t have to be on a bachelorette trip in Nashville or headed to a country concert to wear a cowboy hat this summer. Thanks to the coastal cowgirl trend, we are seeing them absolutely everywhere, being paired with everything from a classic pair of denim shorts to a floral midi dress. Similar to straw hats, you will probably want to strap these to your carry-on bag instead of shoving them in your suitcase to protect their shape.
This cowboy hat is made from braided paper straw and has a sweatband inside, making it the perfect cowboy-style hat for a hot day. Plus, its light beige color will work with any of your coastal-inspired outfits.
If you're headed to any sort of festival or concert (or even a Nash-Bash themed bachelorette party), please bring this hat with you. It has a dipped crown, a classic upturned brim, and a lightweight straw design. Trust and believe, you'll get non-stop compliments.
Baseball Hats
A classic baseball hat always gives model-off-duty vibes IMO, but let’s be honest, it does so much more than that. It’s also a go-to hat for women covering up greasy hair and rounds out any athleisure look. They won’t provide as much protection from sun rays as wide-brim hats, but you will reach for the baseball hat in your bag time and time again when you don’t have time to do your hair before your brunch plans or you’re headed to a workout with the girls.
This classic hat will take you from the airport to shopping around town and everywhere in between. Its trusty, adjustable, and comfortable fit and its vintage-y vibe will make it one of your favorites. The kind of hat you can't leave the house without, you know?
7 colors available
You don't have to be headed to Montauk to wear this fun tennis club baseball hat. The flat brim and snapback style set this hat apart from the rest, making it a unique addition to any vacation wardrobe.
Headed to a workout or just want to wear a more classic style hat? This one from alo has an adjustable elastic band and buckle and is made from high-performance fabric, ensuring that it will be a comfortable, reliable fit for anybody who is going anywhere.
7 colors available
Trucker Hats
Trucker hats are the cool-girl hat we didn’t see coming. Similar to a baseball hat but with a slightly wider brim and (usually) a mesh back, we are seeing them paired with anything from tennis dresses to blazers and everything in between. Since they’re slightly trendier than baseball hats, they can really elevate a simple outfit. Plus, there are so many fun, bright, and unique designs to pick from.
This one-size-fits-all trucker hat has an embroidered logo and a snapback closure, ensuring it looks both casual and elevated. You can pair it with anything from jean shorts to a tennis dress to earn compliments all vacation long.
5 colors available
This hat from alo has an embroidered logo, a mesh back, and an adjustable snap closure. The neoprene material keeps it from getting too hot, making it perfect for any sunny day when you want your face to stay protected.
This hat screams "OOO" which is exactly what you're going to want in order to reach peak relaxation mode. The snapback closure and mesh back ensure that the fit will be comfortable and breathable for anyone, and can we talk about this shade of green? Everything about this hat is *chef's kiss.*
Visors
Believe it or not, visors are on their way back, and we’re actually happy about it because of how much breathability they offer. Plus, you can do so much more with your hair (think high ponytails and top knots) when you opt for a visor. From sporty visors to visors with sun shields or UPF 50 (a fabric that blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays), you can still get all the sun protection you need from the tennis courts to the beach.
If I had to pick a favorite from this list, this rattan visor would be my #1. The rattan mixed with the canvas trim make this visor feel new and fresh. It's the perfect companion for any vacation outfit or swimsuit on the beach.
This straw visor rolls up and secures with an elastic band for easy storage in your bag, so you can take it anywhere your passport will allow. We love this beautiful light blue shade, but there are neutral colors available as well if that's more your speed.
3 colors available
This isn't just any old boring visor. No, it is a solar visor which means that you'll not only look sporty as hell in it, but you'll shield yourself from the sun’s rays. Designed with a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, you'll reach for this on the hottest of days.
3 colors available