Nothing says summer to me quite like breaking out my selection of sun hats and fedoras. I’ve long attested to the fact that accessories make fashion easy to pull off when you’re traveling, but let’s face it: a lot of hats are bulky or fragile, and just don’t pack well. Until hat boxes come back into vogue, it’s essential to find summer hats that do as well in your tote or roller bag as they do on your head.
This spring, I’ve found three new sun hats from Aventura Clothing that tick off all the necessities: they shade your face from harmful sun rays, look great doing it, and can actually travel with you with minimal fuss. Psst: check out other Aventura reviews on Practical Travel Gear while you’re here!
Phoebe hat:
The Phoebe is a floppy hat with an extra wide brim all the way around. It’s a bold fashion statement, and you will be noticed when wearing it! I suggest the brown version, which will go with most summer outfits you’ll pack, but it also comes in orange (closer to a burnt orange than a tangerine), black, and turquoise. It’s 90 percent polyester and 10 percent paper, and while the head of the hat keeps its shape when not worn, it can travel in a tote or beach bag without issue. Pick up the Phoebe for $39 on Aventura, or look for it on Amazon.
Cruz sun hat:
The Cruz is my favorite hat this spring, mostly because it’s completely crushable and packable. Unlike the Phoebe, it squishes down entirely if needed, so I feel comfortable packing it in my carry on or checked luggage. It’s 100% polyester, and rated to UPF 50+. It has a wide brim, which can be bent or adjusted to suit, and looks less classical and more whimsical than the Phoebe. This is the sun hat to go with every sun dress you own, plus your swimsuit and beach cover-up. It comes in navy (which is brighter than a true navy), orange (this time more like a tangerine), black, and white. I’d love the white, but I know I’d get it dirty! The Cruz is $34 at Aventura or the same price on Amazon.
Jennifer hat:
For something different, the Jennifer hat is a colorful western-style straw hat, with a bendable brim and bright stripes. I love this hat for river rafting adventures, light hiking, and days at a festival or outdoor event. It can certainly take some rough travel (I’ve tossed it into the back of my car and into straw totes), but I wouldn’t pack it in a suitcase. It’s made of premium raffia, and comes in just the one color. Pick it up for $50 on Aventura or Amazon. You can find most Aventura hats at selected brick and mortar stores as well.
Tip: consider becoming an #AventuraLife member if you shop at the site. You’ll get discount codes for your loyalty, along with other treats along the way!