Tilley Straw Hats (protect your head on sunny days)

Tilley straw hats are lightweight (also made from raffia) and offer breezy sun protection, natural texture and effortless style. Responsibly-made, this hat is made from 100% raffia, with a packable wide brim sun visor to add shade without a full crown.

The wide brim offers comfortable coverage, and the straw construction is lightweight and breathable in the heat. When you’re on the move, it rolls up neatly, so it’s as travel-friendly as the rest of your summer kit. Spot clean with a damp cloth and water.

Do you really need to wear a hat?

Not everyone does, but they do provide protection as you lose heat from your head in cold weather. And in warm weather, they can shield your eyes (and protect men with bald heads from getting burned!)

Use wide-brimmed hats to shield the face, neck and eyes from sun damage, and beanies to protect against rain and wind. Many runners like caps to provide a focus shield against distractions.

Hat safety for babies

The Lullaby Trust says that hats (and outdoor layers) should be removed when moving indoors or into a warm car, to prevent overheating (babies regulate temperature through their heads, and keeping them covered inside risks making them too hot).

They say to keeps rooms at around 18°C–21°C and use hats outdoors when it’s cold (below 15°C–16°C) to keep them warm. If a baby is crying intensely or sweating, he or she may be too hot. To check, feel their chest or back (rather than hands or feet, which often feel cooler).