Heading into balmy August (it’s right around the corner!), here are five easy summer hat styles to keep the sun out of your eyes on warm afternoons in the park, on the beach, on vacation, or in your own backyard.

These Ecuadorian hats are made with tremendous care, woven from the leaves of the toquilla palm at night-time only, to protect the material from the sweat of the workers making them. The hats have a long and colorful history that includes cameos from Teddy Roosevelt (who wore one while visiting the Panama Canal), and a slew of stars from both past and present, including Ernest Hemingway, Jon Hamm, and Diane Kruger.

1. Madewell + Biltmore Panama hat, $58
2. Metal-accented Panama hat, $42
3. Clyde pinch Panama hat, $248

IMAGE:  Sincerely, Jules photographed by Temoc Gonzalez.
 

Did you know that the bowler hat—and not what we recognize as the traditional cowboy hat—is what was known as the “hat the won the West”? It wasn’t until the 1860s, when John Batterson Stetson created the very first cowboy hat, that the modern iteration was born. (For inspiration on keeping cowboy hats current, visit Refinery29, here.)

1. Straw cowboy hat, $19.95
2. Palm Straw cowboy hat, $29.95
3. Mixed braid cowboy hat, $28

IMAGE:  Arizona Muse photographed by Craig Arend.
 

Elegant and ultra-feminine, the wide-brim floppy hat is perfect for days when there’s not a cloud in the sky. Wear one with a dress and sandals (or just a bathing suit or a beach cover-up) for instant polish.

1. Terrain Newport hat, $68
2. Serena Straw Floppy Hat, $38
3. Floppy hat, $22.94

 IMAGE: Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacifc, photographed by Bess Friday for Who What Wear.

 
 

Traditionally a men’s hat, the boater is made of stiff straw and comes encircled in ribbon. Best known in the past as a political accessory or as part of school uniforms, the boater has been making a unisex fashion comeback as of late—Forever21, Urban Outfitters, and ASOS have all thrown their respective hats (sorry, couldn’t help it) in the ring.

1. Straw Boater Hat, $22.86
2. Black straw boater, $30
3. Straw Roll Brim Boater, $13.34

IMAGE: Amy Nelson on Chictopia.

1. Chambray baseball cap, $34.50
2. Polka-dot cap, $29
3. Cotton baseball cap, $88

IMAGE: Sara Strand photographed by Janka Polliani.

[Top image: Photo by Kara Rosenlund via Design*Sponge]

P.S. This summer’s perfect Summer Sandals? (Though these are probably still my all-time favorites.)

Many thanks to Shoko for her help with this post, and to Lily for the graphics.

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