Summer is around the corner and we know you are probably thinking about the best fashion accessories for the warm months ahead. For men, the must-have accessory on the top of the list is the summer hat. A hat has a way of pulling together an outfit, elevating even a casual outfit to a complete look. Plus, the hat is so functional, providing shade so you don’t overheat, and protecting you from UV rays that cause skin damage. So if you’re in the market for a summer hat and need a little help deciding, read on. We’ve narrowed down 5 hat styles to shop on Vestiaire Collective and create style wins this summer.
The baseball cap is an iconic summer style. It doesn’t matter if you’re a baseball fan or not, this is a look that has leapt from its original purpose and transitioned firmly into fashion territory, in much the same way that the visor left the tennis courts and became a street style.
Baseball caps with a big center logo are perfect choices if you want to express your loyalty to, well, a sports team. Jay-Z is well-known for wearing his New York Yankees hat. But baseball hats can have the logo of just about anything, so whatever brand you want to give some love to, chances are there’s a baseball hat with that logo. Baseball hats with vintage logos are great pieces of collector memorabilia, and you can always search for those in the vintage section at Vestiaire Collective.
A simple cap without any adornments goes with most any outfit. These days, baseball caps can even be found in luxury materials like corduroy, suede and wool, which makes them a great transition headpiece in those awkward days between summer and winter weather.
For the sartorial gentleman, you might be surprised to know that your favourite luxury brand has gotten into baseball — well, baseball caps, anyway. Gucci and Versace both have iterations of the baseball cap, so you can enjoy the laid-back silhouette of a cap with the craftsmanship and high-quality materials of these labels.
Because baseball caps have such versatility and enduring appeal they will always be a staple in menswear accessories.
The bucket hat is going to be your trustworthy companion for all kinds of sunny activities. With 360 degree UV coverage designed to keep the wearer protected from wet conditions, this is one you’ll always want to have in your bag. Since the hat is so easily folded, it won’t take up too much space in your luggage when you go traveling.
Bucket hats come in many varieties to suit your personal style. Whether you want the original Kangol hat that influenced a generation of hip-hop artists in the ‘80s or the laid-back casual style of the pop ‘90s. Or even the fuzzy style adored by today’s A-listers... the bucket hat can truly reflect your individuality.
This style has been around for a long time and was originally created for fishermen. But thanks to a reimagination of the look in recent years, it has been elevated to a fashion item. Some of the top bucket hats come from luxury houses such as Prada. With the iconic logo on the front, the Prada bucket hat is a sophisticated take on the style that can accompany you in most situations. Best of all, it is made entirely of recycled nylon that was recovered from ocean debri and landfill waste. When even luxury fashion houses are prioritising the health of the environment, we know we are finally getting on the right track for the planet. But of course, it also depends on the choices of the individual, which is why we encourage all of our Fashion Activists to buy their summer styles pre-loved from Vestiaire Collective.
Visors are intended to keep you shady and cool, so they are a highly functional piece for outdoor summer activities. But they are so much more than that. Athleisure is a much-loved look, and the visor compliments this style perfectly. But some visors can even be appropriate in more formal looks. The designer visor is a fantastic way to add a cool touch to your ensemble.
Dior’s PVC visor shades you from the sun in the most sophisticated way. The frame is a lightweight acetate for comfortable wear and it comes in a multitude of iridescent jewel tones and smoky greys. The design was inspired by the experimental work of mid-20th century French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, who wore protective eyewear during performances in which she shot paint-filled balloons over a canvas.
Another way to wear a visor while retaining a sense of class is to select a logomania piece from your favourite luxury brand. Louis Vuitton offers a brown monogram sun hat that will match perfectly with all your other LV accessories and bags. Fendi also has a super chic canvas men’s visor with the Fendi logo woven in brown.
These visors are great to throw on when you want to protect your face, and look good while doing it. You can shop for these pre-loved on Vestiaire Collective. Purchasing on the app is the perfect way to source luxury goods without breaking the bank, and make a sustainable choice for the planet at the same time.
A Panama hat is simply a timeless piece. It offers any look a hint of an understated class and elegance. The Fedora is the most popular shape for this style of hat but it’s not the only one, so feel free to explore all the pre-loved options on Vestiaire Collective.
Opting for a natural straw hat with a black band is the traditional look seen on classically dressed celebs like Sean Connery and Brad Pitt. It’s a timeless style that will give you years of fashion enjoyment, and is perfect for elegant summer outings.
The Panama hat doesn’t actually come from Panama, but from Ecuador. Creating this hat is an artisanal process that takes weeks to complete. Made of Toquilla straw, the handmade weaving process is so unique and special that UNESCO declared the hat an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Because they are handwoven, these hats can have natural variations. Choosing a high quality hat is going to be a worthwhile investment. The denser the weave, the softer the hat. A finer weave will not only make it softer to the touch but will ensure it is a very durable hat that will not fray.
There is a lot of talk about grades in this type of hat but since there is no industry standard the best way to choose a pre-loved Panama is to go with reputable companies. Montecristi is one of the premiere names in Panama hats, with an emphasis on quality over quantity. Borsalino is another, and the milliner of the iconic fedoras worn by Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic final scene of Casablanca. This brand is so beloved by Italians there was even a postage stamp made in tribute.
The Panama hat is a great unisex option, adding a dashing flair to whomever wears it.
The vintage hat covers a variety of styles but they all bring a sense of nostalgia. There was once a time when a man would never leave the house without a hat on. A hat is so much more than a way to cover a bad hair day or protect you from the sun. Hats can transform and define a look, and are an emblem of personal expression.
So what about vintage hats? Alas, the top hat days are probably gone for good but there are still many options from the past that are just as stylish in the present day.
Take the fedora, which is an eternally popular style. It’s made in the Panama shape but comes in a variety of colours and fabrics so you can wear the style year-round. The fedora is a great way to dress-up an outfit and make it seem a bit more distinguished. The fedora’s little brother is the Trillby, which has a shorter rim. Frank Sinatra was a fan of these hats and the look still alludes to a certain 1920’s pizzazz.
Many of our favourite fashions got their start in the military, and the cap is no different. These days military inspired caps from around the world have crossed over to the civilian population. The beret is a perennial favourite that had its origins in the military, and is perfect if you want that chic French street style.
For a guy (or gal) looking for a fun accessory, a cowboy hat is the perfect fit. The cowboy hat has transcended cultural connotations and is now a favoured accessory of hip-hop stars and the fashion forward.
A hat is just as important to a complete summer ensemble as any other piece of clothing. In fact, the hat has a special role to play in defining your personal style. Are you a Panama hat person? A baseball cap guy? Chances are, these are all looks you can rock in the right setting.
Shopping for a hat second-hand is the best way to build a collection of hats for every occasion without overly burdening the planet’s resources. When you think about the materials used to make hats, whether it’s Toquilla straw for a Panama hat, wool felt for a cowboy hat, or PVC for a luxury visor, these are finite resources. And all of them take energy to source. In order to lower our carbon emissions when buying fashion accessories, and not waste precious resources, pre-loved hats are the way to go. At Vestiaire Collective we share more than our love of fashion. We share our respect for the planet, and our hope in a future where fashion is less harmful to the world’s delicate ecosystems. In essence, you can think of buying a pre-loved summer hat as a literal top-down approach to sustainable fashion shopping.
Through the Vestiaire Collective app, we want to help you find the right pre-loved hat and sunglasses for summer, so that you’re ready to have a season of looking good, feeling good and doing good.