Hats: Stylishly sunny

As I begin to tidy the Passage for its summer closure later this month, I'm also preparing to spend more time outdoors, and want to say two words, right now: sun hats. 

Whether you prefer straw or fabric, romantic or rugged, wear one! I spent a miserable January and February enduring a course of topical chemotherapy for skin cancer, an experience I could have avoided by some damn common sense years ago; now I need to cover assiduously, beginning with the hat. 

According to my dermatologist friend Dr. Arthur, the brim needs to be at least 5 inches to give decent protection, so jaunty ball caps do little but keep sun off the top of the head and offer some eyeshade.

In the windows today, a selection of hats built to reduce skin damage while looking like an accessory, not a medical device.

Sporty and supple

The Lululemon All-Sport Wide Brim was made for fishers and hikers; it is also good for gardeners, who expose their necks. Price, $CAN 78. (The care instructions say "spot cleanable" but I visited the store and they said to wash it with a gentle soap like Forever New or Woolite.) Made in ivory and black; both colours have an optional chin tie.

Photo: Lululemon

Pretty and packable

Here's a side view of the packable Ginger; the bow band can be adjusted for fit; the hat weighs only 4 oz.. The price is $US 50 from the California-based company Sungrubbies; I am including them in this selection because it's hard to find a graceful sun hat offered for such an inclusive range of head sizes.   

Vivacious visor

Sometimes a hat feels oppressive; a visor is an excellent solution but so many offer only front-of-head coverage. That's why I want to show Beneunder's raffia model, which is packable, washable, and comes in five colours. The deep brim extends to the sides, and blocks 99% of UV rays. It says St. Tropez terrasse, not golf course. 

Price, $CAN 84. Physical stores operate in Asia; product ships from China.

Down Under Dragons

You can find lots of spriggy florals but how about red dragons? Handmade by Etsy seller kissmypatootie, based in Brisbane, Australia, where they know from sun hats and don't hold back on the quirk quotient—this reverses to a purple swirl! Price, $CAN 62. Donna makes wild sun hats for women, men and kids, so you can haul everyone outdoors looking sharp.

Calcarella charmer

For chic, polished protection, a handmade Calcarella straw boater from the magnificent Montréal milliner Samantha-Tara Mainville of Heirloom Hats. This is a dream hat, put it on with a white shirt and you will probably start declaiming poetry. 

Do spend time looking at her other creations; everything Samantha-Tara makes is worth a shake of your piggy bank. Price, $CAN 355.

Dr. Arthur notes that sunlight reflects up to the face from surfaces, so reapply sunblock even if you're hatted. He nudged me to carry one of these sticks in my bag; life is too short to live in shade all summer long.

Wishing you safe, sunny days, and if you've found a good sun hat let us know where. We need more than one.