Have You Ever Wanted to Be a “Hat Person”? Me, Too. Let’s Do It Together.

Project 365, Day 125/365

I have always wanted to be a hat person. When I was younger, it’s safe to say I was. I’m sure if my mother is reading this, she’s saying out loud to herself “of course, my daughter, you were a hat person…and a bow person, and a purse person, and a…” I was, eh, quite flashy as a little girl. But the past few days, sitting by the ocean, I’ve admired distant passersby and their beautiful hats, wishing I had the confidence to wear one on an everyday basis. I have no problems wearing a wide-brim hat at the beach to block the sun from my face but rarely do I don one to walk around, eating out with friends (pre-pandemic, of course) or as a “fashion” item.

It’s so easy to immediately jump to a vision of people looking at me and whispering “who does she think she is with that hat?!? How dare she?” to whoever is closest to them. Here’s the thing: I have a handful of hats in my closet. I have this burgundy felt hat I LOVE and actually think suits me, but as soon as I put it on, the doubt dragon flaps on over to my shoulder, shaking its head at me. “Oh, you think you’re going out looking like that? Oh honey…” Why do we do this to ourselves? I like a hat, I want to wear a hat, I SHOULD JUST WEAR THE HAT.

The only thing I can’t seem to get around hat culture is what happens to your messy mop of a head when you take it off for any given reason? And that line that ensues across your forehead? Any hat people out there that know how to answer that question?

So, in the name of doing whatever the heck we feel like doing, I went window shopping for some spring and summer appropriate hats I may or may not add to my closet. That will put me one step closer to being the IDGAF hat person of my dreams.

Somerset Hat from Anthropologie, $68

Ginger Gambler in Cinnamon from Gigi Pip, $96

Gigi Pip makes really high-quality hats that are meant to last, which is why they are a little pricier than say…J.Crew, but they are still reasonable in terms of value. You’ll never find me paying $300 for a hat, but I could see investing in something like this as long as it fit well. I love this cinnamon color. I’m not sure how warm the wool would be here, but I really like the structure of this one and the color is really seasonless.

Classic Straw Fedora in Black from Banana Republic, $43 (on sale)

Ya girl loves a sale as much as she loves a straw hat. I have a similar hat in a natural straw, but this black is so chic to me! It also comes in Natural and Bone (both really great). The reviews are great, but take note of the customers that say buying online is a gamble as it might show up all smooshed and it’s better to buy in person.

Panama Hat in White/Black from Cuyana, $85

Cuyana is a fantastic brand if you haven’t checked them out. I have some of their leather goods, so I feel like I could trust their accessories. Panama hats are classic and I’m pretty sure are never going to go out of style. They aren’t overly large so don’t have to fear taking someone’s eye out on a sidewalk or in line for ice cream like with something with a wider brim. This is made from Toquilla straw which evidently is “a renewable resource made from young Toquilla palm fronds that are harvested without harming the main tree.” I’ll take two.

Packable Straw Fedora Hat from Madewell, $39.50

Okay look, hats are great…until you have to travel with it. I 100% found a smushed straw hat in my trunk just today that has been back there who knows how long that was a casualty of a trip. Sad. So, it’s always good to have a packable hat option if you plan on shoving this thing in a bag at any point in the future. They tend to be a bit floppier, but that’s also not the worst thing in the world, me thinks.

Wide Brim Summer Hat in Natural/Natural from Cuyana, $95

Another beaut from Cuyana. If your shoulders always feel like they’re barbecuing in the sun on a hot summer day, get yourself a wide brim hat (or you know…sleeves). Oh, and a great feature is a velcro adjustable interior strap that makes the hat fit just right so a gust of wind doesn’t risk blowing away your $95 investment.

Women’s Knit Fedora Hat in Ivory from Target, $15

I’m pretty surprised at myself that I like this hat, but well, I do, and I make no apologies. As I clearly have an affinity for straw, I’m drawn to the knit material here and the slightly floppy but mostly structured makeup. And on those hotter-than-an-air-fryer-on-max-crisp Los Angeles desert summer days, the light color is key to not invite anymore heat to my already always-sweaty head.

Women’s Raffia Straw Visor Hat from Target, $17

While I can’t imagine myself frolicking around town (or my apartment…#pandemic) in this one, it’s perfect for the beach or the picnics Charles and I have started having to keep our sanity.

Natural Straw Easy Boater with Size Adjuster from ASOS, $17.50

Listen to me…are you listening? Everyone looks good in a boater hat. You may feel like you’re a professional gondolier but I promise, you will look wonderful and everyone will wish they were wearing your same hat.

Okay well, that’s today’s post. I’m looking forward to picking up one or two of these and now I’m itching for sun dresses and sandals.

See you tomorrow, FOAS.