There’s a wonderful sweet spot where fashion and function meet: think the uber-stylish yet comfortable hiking boots everyone was donning under their floral midi dresses last autumn, or the cosy cardigan trend that saw us through the chillier months of spring. For summer, however, it’s our accessory game that’s being upgraded: yes, straw hats are back with a bang.
You’ve probably noticed them all over your Instagram feed already, but if you need the data to back it up, we’ve got it: the style experts at shopping app LIKEtoKNOW.it are reporting a 2,000 per cent spike in searches for straw hats as we turn to outdoor events like picnics and garden gatherings in these socially-distanced times.
Not only will you look good in a straw hat, you’ll feel it too; these practical additions to your outfit provide a valuable added layer of protection from the sun when you’re out and about (to be used in conjunction with a good SPF, of course).
Even if you’re not typically a ‘hat person’, the beauty of a summer straw hat is that there really is a shape to suit everyone: from fedoras and boaters to wider-brimmed floppy options and even the return of the stetson.
Better yet, as the high street reopens awash with summer sales, you can dip your toe into the trend without having to spend a fortune – some of our favourite options come in at less than £10.
The best straw hats to shop now
IDOL Natural Straw Fedora Hat, £11.20 (was £14), Topshop
Hat With Contrasting Band, £25.99, Zara
Big Straw Hat, £15.99 (was £19.99), Mango
Striped Straw Bucket Hat, £17.50 (was £25), Accessorize
Panama Hat, £30, Urban Outfitters
Wide-Brim Straw Hat, £29, Arket
Cut-Out Floppy Straw Hat, £29.50, Oliver Bonas
Weave Floppy Sun Hat, £30, John Lewis & Partners
Ribbon Brim Woven Straw Hat, £27, & Other Stories
Straw Hat With Ribbon, £9.99, Lindex
Oversized Striped Floppy Hat, £44 (was £88), Anthropologie
