This "Ugly" Trend Is Suddenly Everywhere

I can honestly say I never thought I would want to wear a visor again in my life. It’s something I wore in the ’90s as a kid when the bright-colored plastic versions were pretty much everywhere. But after I stopped wearing those, I never really considered them. I grew up in Arizona, and visors were the practical cousin of hats—an “ugly” accessory that I would see people wearing on hot summer days, but they never read as cool in that context.

Recently, though, I found myself contemplating one again. I spotted some fashion girls wearing their Louis Vuitton and Dior versions when I was scrolling though my Instagram, and all of a sudden, they looked stylish and cool. These were definitely not the styles I was used to seeing paired with cargo shorts and tube socks out on a hiking trail in the Arizona desert. I was convinced to try one for myself, and after a recent trip to the flea market, I quickly snapped one up. After the rise of the chunky sneakers and tracksuits and a number of other “ugly” trends, I have a feeling this is another one that will be taking off. Maybe it’ll even be the new bucket hat.

Here I tried the trend for myself

I wasn’t even on the hunt for a visor, but I think something in my subconscious drew me to this hat stand in the middle of the Melrose flea market. And I immediately bought this straw visor.

The photo that started it all

I’ll admit that this photo of Aimee Song is what really sold me on the visor trend. This one printed with Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram pattern is seriously cool and Hypebae-worthy.

This reminds me of one I wore in the '90s

Remember how I mentioned I used to wear plastic versions in the ’90s? They were just like this—but I’m guessing the ones I had were picked up at Target for under $10.

And how I plan to wear my visor this summer

Here’s proof that the visor trend can look ultra-chic. I’ll similarly be wearing mine paired with a swimsuit and a lounge chair for the summer ahead.

Shop our edit of cool visors

Can’t decide which summer 2018 hat trend to try? One Who What Wear editor is also making a case for bucket hats.