March 29, 2024

golittleitaly

The Fashion Inside

Sun hat characteristics – how to ensure maximum UV protection

4 min read
How to choose sun hat for protection and style - Fuji Weather Widget

Wearing a small hat is indeed an option for creating some stunning style because when it comes to hats, small hats are as beautiful as bigger hats. However, if functionality overrules style or there is a need to balance both to get the most from hats, it becomes clear that womens hats for big heads are what you should be looking at.  

Bigger heads need bigger hats that can offer maximum sun protection because the wide brim can extend the shade up to the shoulders and even below when the sun is right at the top of your head at noon. Although hats are one of the must-have accessories during summer, sunscreen is the other indispensable item that you must carry when traveling. 

To enjoy the summer in all its beauty by spending most of the day under the sun, wear a sun hat that keeps you cool and comfortable and protected from the harmful UV rays affecting the upper part of your body, especially the face and neck. Sun hat styles are almost endless because you can create your style by tweaking the design slightly but without altering the dimensions to maintain a high level of sun protection. Fedora hats, trilby, Panama hats, floppy hats, and bucket hats – you can even add a few more hat styles to the list of sun hats, but no matter which you choose, the fit must be perfect. Three things to consider during sun hat selection are the hat material that has to be UV resistant, breathable, and light, the shape of the hat, and the brim size. You should get the most befitting hat that serves your purpose of fashion and protection in equal measures by ticking the right boxes. 

Here are the hat features you should consider to ensure that you get the right kind of sun hat.

Hat material

Since sun protection is your goal, be careful about choosing the suitable material that not only withstands the sun rays but cuts it off entirely so that it does not reach your skin. Straw, natural or synthetic, is the most preferred material for sun hats because of its softness and lightweight, which adds to the comfort and encourages you to wear it while roaming outside. Some other materials like polyester are also suitable, but whatever material you choose, ensure that it has enough UV-resistant properties.  UV resistant capability of any material is a number that expresses how well it can prevent the UV rays from penetrating the fabric. 

For example, 50+ UPF indicates that the material can resist 98% UV rays of types A and B. Cotton is the best fabric for hats for maximum sun protection. Even straw hats must have a tightly woven inner cotton lining under the brim to prevent even the minutest sunray from reaching your face.  Having a dark-colored under brim will absorb any bounced light and offer more protection to your face. 

Brim size

The brim width determines the amount of shade that the hat can provide. Even the widest brim has some limitations in providing protection. It requires the necessary adjustment of the hat position by matching it with the sun’s position to ensure maximum shade. The brim creates an effective barrier by cutting out sun rays so that the harmful UV rays do not affect the skin of the upper body part like the face, neck, and part of the shoulders. For optimal shade, the brim should be at least 3 inches wide and wider is the brim more is the area of the shade under it.  Different hat brands offer different brim sizes that generally range between 3 inches to 8 inches, depending on the hat design and style. There might be a limit to the maximum brim size available for any particular hat design.

The shape of the brim

Hat brim width depends on the shape of the brim because, in the case of an upturned brim like the one you find in top hats, the effective width of the brim diminishes considerably, thereby reducing the area under the shade. Such brims offer lesser shade as compared to entirely flat brims of the fedora hats. Therefore, there is the need to strike a balance between style and function for optimal sun protection. The shape of the brim is vital for another reason too. The hat must protect you from the direct sunlight from the surrounding surfaces and is equally harmful.  The shape of the brim determines the extent of the overall protection of the face up to the chin and beyond from both direct and indirect sunlight.

For all-around protection of your face, choose hats with brims curved downwards so that the distance between the edge of the brim and your face is minimal.

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