Straw hats are the perfect accessory for summer. The easiest way to shield your face from the sun is to wear a hat. With its classic silhouette and natural materials, a straw hat can elevate any outfit, adding a touch of refinement to even the simplest looks. Whether you are lounging by the pool, attending an outdoor party, or strolling through a quaint village, knowing how to wear a straw hat is key. The best part is, they never go out of style. So think of them as part of your summer wardrobe capsule. Protecting your skin from the sun is important all year around, so feel free to wear your straw hats every season. Today I’m sharing chic outfit ideas and inspiration for wearing your straw hats in style!

Straw Hat Outfit Ideas

With so many different styles of straw hats to choose from, it can be overwhelming deciding on which one is best for you. There are wide-brim hats, short brim hats, floppy hats, boater hats, and the list goes on. This gives you endless opportunities for styling straw hats for different occasions. Narrowing down which straw hats are right for you depends on a few factors such as face shape and where you will be wearing your hat.

Your face shape should guide you, but don’t let it stop you from choosing a hat you really love. Generally speaking, those of you with long faces may love how wide brims hats minimize the length of your face, while rounder face shapes may love how a high-crown or boater style hat add angles.

If you are planning on wearing your straw hat to the beach, opt for a wide-brim hat for maximin coverage. For everyday style a short-brim hat will keep you covered while not getting in the way.

Wide-brim hat options:

 

Short-brim hat options:

 

How to Wear a Straw Hat 8 Ways

Casual  Straw Hat Outfit Ideas

Pairing a straw hat with a t-shirt dress and sandals is the perfect example of casual elegance. Summer days tend to be more relaxed so choosing a comfortable and easy fitting dress is a great alternative to wearing denim shorts and a tee. The straw hat not only provides sun protection but also adds extra interest to your outfit.

 

 

Straw Hat For Beach

There are lots of straw hats now that are rated with UPF 50+ which blocks 50% of UVA/UVB rays. These are perfect for everyday wear but are most important for the beach. With the sun hitting directly on you and no chance of coverage, unless you have a beach umbrella, a straw hat is essential for the beach. Choose a wide-brim hat for the most coverage, or a simple bucket hat for a sleek style. I love a straw hat with ties for the beach so that you don’t loose it in the ocean breeze!

Shop these UPF 50+ hats:

 

 

How to Wear Floppy Straw Hats

Floppy hats are intended to be a little bit oversized. You can achieve a very chic outfit if you keep it simple. Let the straw hat be the statement piece. Try wearing a classic linen dress with simple jewelry and a large tote for an effortless vibe. Add some white sunglasses for an extra glam look!

 

Styling a floppy straw hat with a cotton dress is a chic summer outfit idea. Match this with a straw bag for a cohesive look. This straw bag is from one of my favorite bag brands. You can choose your ribbon handle color from a variety of colors.

 

How to Style Trousers With a Straw Hat

Elevating an outfit with a straw hat and tailored trousers is a chic look that’s great for every season. Choose a seasonally appropriate top like a tank top for warmer months, and a button-up shirt or cozy sweater for chilly days. Keep your textures similar with a raffia bag. I love this one for its zip closure!

 

How to Wear a Straw Boater Hat

Layer a maxi dress with a straw boater hat for beachside elegance. This outfit is great for dinners al fresco as well as boat dinners where the sun doesn’t set until later at night. A boater hat style is very versatile. You can wear this with anything from a sundress to a casual chic shorts and tank top outfit.

 

Cute Outfits With Hats

A cute summer dress like this pink linen dress is great way to style a straw hat. Both linen and raffia are made from natural fibers so they blend beautifully together. The linen loafers add a casual elegance to this  summertime look.

 

Accessories to Complement Your Straw Hat Outfit

Accessorizing your straw hat is easy! You can wear similar raffia shoes to match textures, or stick with simple neutrals. I love how a straw bag just adds an additional layer of texture and pattern to your summer outfits. You may be interested in ready my previous post on how to style a straw bag for more outfit inspiration.

Another way to accessorize your straw hat outfits is to wear sunglasses. It’s actually a very chic way to wear a straw hat and gives off very Old Hollywood vibes. For nautical style, try wearing seashell jewelry with your straw hat for elevated coastal charm.

 

What Size Hat To Buy?

Some of the more upscale brands have different hat sizing, and not a one size fits all. In order to find your size, you will need a cloth tape measure. Place the tape around your forehead (where you want the hat to sit) and measure all around. Sizing is usually listed in centimeters. For example, 57 cm is generally considered a size medium hat. Check the specific brand size chart to confirm. If your hat only comes in one size fits all (and it’s too big), you can purchase a hat sizer to insert into the crown for extra inches.

 

How to Shape Your Straw Hat

Keeping the shape of your straw hat is one of the challenges to owning one. If you have the room for it, store your straw hat in the large box it came in (if it was shipped to you), or invest in a hat box. You can also store your straw hats upside down so that you do not change the shape of the brim. Finally, using a hat holder will also help keep the shape when not in use.

Shop My Favorite Straw Hats

 

 

You may also enjoy reading my post on protecting your skin with UPF clothing!