Cathy Karuga is the writer behind Three Outfits, a fast-growing fashion newsletter exploring personal style, culture, and the evolving nature of taste. With an insider's understanding of emerging designers, It brands, and shifting fashion trends as well as an outsider's perspective on the industry itself, Karuga has developed a distinct voice, blending fashion commentary with cultural analysis.
I think we can all agree that summer is the hardest season to get dressed in.
The hotter it gets, the harder it is to look chic. As temperatures climb, there are only so many layers you can remove before every outfit starts looking the same. That's why the most stylish women aren't relying on clothes alone this summer. They're letting their accessories do the heavy lifting.
There's only one accessory that instantly makes an outfit look more polished while protecting your skin from sun damage: the hat.
An underrated accessory that rarely gets its flowers, a hat can elevate or neutralise an outfit instantly. You can bring down a dressy outfit with a relaxed cap or canvas bucket hat or elevate your look with a pillbox hat or structured raffia hat. It finishes an outfit, saves you from squinting all afternoon, and protects your skin at the same time. It's hard to think of another accessory that works quite as hard.
I've tried them all and looked through the feeds of the chicest fashion people on Substack, and here are my picks for the best summer hats that It girls are wearing this season.
1. The Canvas Bucket Hat
If I had to crown one piece as the hat of the season, it would be the TWP Nantucket Sound Hat. It is the one all the fashion people are wearing. Spend any time in the fashion corner of Substack, and you'll spot it everywhere. There's a reason it's perpetually sold out or on preorder. The red chin strap is such a great touch that gives this otherwise relaxed bucket hat just enough personality, taking it from outdoorsy athleisure to casual and effortless.
If you can't get your hands on one or don't want to spend quite as much, I bought this canvas bucket hat from Lack of Color in two colours. It's that good.
If you're color-shy, a hat is also one of the easiest ways to experiment. It adds an interesting touch to a neutral outfit without feeling overwhelming and can soften a tailored or corporate look.
Another favourite is this reversible style from Hat Attack, which can be worn with either the black or white side facing out, depending on your outfit.
2. The Structured Bucket Hat
A structured bucket hat has a way of making even a simple tee and relaxed trousers look like you knew exactly what you were doing when you put them together. It makes the outfit look complete and polished.
This Zimmerman one has the benefit of adding structure, texture, and a little bit of romance.
Here I am wearing the Inca Bucket Hat from Lack of Color.
The combination of a sculptural shape and natural raffia creates so much balance and makes it work. The structure gives it a refined feel, and the woven texture stops it from looking too formal.
This hat also has a practical benefit. Unlike softer hats that lose their shape after one trip in your suitcase, a structured style holds its form beautifully. If you've ever spent half a holiday trying to coax a floppy hat back into shape, you'll appreciate the difference!
This pleated capri hat by Aussie brand Lorna Murray had everyone down under in a stranglehold this past summer.
3. The Floppy Bucket Hat
If the structured bucket hat is for the city, the floppy bucket hat is for holidays.
It's relaxed by nature. You can throw it into your beach bag, squash it into your suitcase, and not spend the entire trip worrying about keeping it pristine. It's the hat I reach for when I know I'll be wearing linen, swimwear, and little else.
My By Malene Birger hat has come on every summer holiday with me for the past few years. I love the contrast of the two tones, which makes it feel a little more interesting than your average raffia hat. I can wear it floppy if I'm going for a "woman of mystery on holiday" aesthetic or fold the front back for unbridled surveillance of my kids on the beach.
Mine is from last season, but By Malene Birger has released two new two-tone versions this summer. The black one with the natural brim is currently sitting in my cart.
This one is quite similar.
Another great two-tone floppy hat.
4. The "Just for Fun" Hat
Okay, these aren't going to win any awards for sun protection. They're the exclamation mark for your outfit. They bring the joy.
There's prime real estate sitting on top of your head, so why not use it? Hats are one of the easiest ways to bring colour, texture, fun, or a bit of romance into an outfit.
They're also my favourite solution to third-day hair. I have fine hair that gets oily quickly, so with a bit of dry shampoo and one of these, I look like I've got my life together.
This Zara sailor hat does exactly that. It's somewhere between practical and purely decorative given its limited ability to shade your face, but who cares? It's fun.
Sometimes, that's all an outfit needs.