Hats

You have the problem of needing to be prepared for extremes: the Morocco desert and then the colder weather at altitude in the Alps. It seems as if one hat might not do.

How about a woman's version of a Crocodile Dundee hat? Let the old world folks know where you come from.
http://www.cutana.com.au/

Here's the corrected link for the hat that emsharp is considering:

http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/accessories/hats/pretty-bow-panama-port-all

I think it's a nice hat but maybe a bit too heavy for spring? What about a straw type wider brim hat? I think you would maybe need a different cap in the Alps (something to keep you warm...it would not take up much space in a suitcase). I don't tend to wear hats so I plan on bringing a knit cap for the Alps and will wear the hood on my all weather jacket if need be.

I meant to pack my Outdoor Research hat I use for hiking when I did BOE but ran out of room. By Venice it was pretty hot and I wound up spending maybe 7 € for a cute straw hat from a vendor near St Marks Square. He said it looked bellissima so I believed him. I am sure he was not just trying to make a sale!! So...you might find one there!!

I carry one of these pop up hats, in beige. it fits into my small messenger bag when we are eating indoors, etc. I have rosacea and couldn't manage without it.......http://www.purpleturtle.co.uk/acatalog/SunHatDenim-400w.jpg

I love my Tilly hat; they come in several styles. The brim is wide enough to shield the sun and rain. The chin ties tuck inside. This is an expensive hat but worth the price in my opinion.

Here is a link to an Outdoor Research hat I've had for awhile and find that it provides more shade than the smaller brimmed hats:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/womens/hats/aquifer-sombrero.html

Love the idea, though, of buying an inexpensive hat in Venice.

I vote for Edgar's idea of a female's Aussie hat, especially if you can get it in a lighter color like white, cream, or tan.

It is not beyond me to wear a pink baseball cap with my city name on it. "Being fashionable" has not been me since the birth of my 3rd child. So what if I stand out as an American tourist? As pointed out by the ex-pats, they can see a tourist before we open our mouths.

Emsharp, I never worry what is in or out in style- I make my own trends- and I totally understand your issue as I have very white Irish skin, reddish hair and green eyes. I burn if I just show up in the sun so I always carry heavy duty sun block (the baby sunblock at its highest strength). That hat would be just fine- I would wear it (especially in pink). I am also prone to wear a man's fedora (we women can wear what we want and forget about letting designers and celebrities decide what we wear.).

Go for the fedora which would look wonderful, or if you need a larger brim, find a chic straw hat. They have soft ones that you can fold up if needed. Anything else would be too hot. I can't stand wearing a hat in the summer as it makes my head so hot and sweaty and only the straw ones are bearable.

em,

Given the fact that you burn easily, I'd suggest focusing more on function than style (although some models may have both).

Check the Tilley Hats selection, as many of them have an SPF 50 rating. Their clothes are also great for travel.

Look at REI online or in stores. Maybe even Kohls. I saw some packable straw hats, some not so big at rei.com.

Hi Emsharp,

I would worry about coverage for Morocco, but I doubt you'll need something super-warm for the Alps in April since you'll only be there a few days. I think the hat for Morrocco would work while down in the valleys of the Alps. Then, does the jacket you're bringing have a hood? That might suffice while ascending the mountains. Assuming this is the case, I would pack a crushable hat like this:

http://www.sundayafternoons.com/verona-hat.html

There were several similar styles on this website. The nice thing is that sun protection is even manufactured into the hat.

:) Enjoy!

I loved my Wallaroo "Breton" hat but lost it in New Zealand a month ago. ( I am going to have to buy another before summer arrives).

https://www.wallaroohats.com/products/breton

These are lightweight, UPF 50+, and pack flat. Nice and cool in hot weather, but reliably sun-proof.

Despite the Australian name, it is a US company, but "inspired by" Australian sun-protection standards. I did see my exact hat for sale at a shop in Manley, on that walkway from the ferry landing to the beach.

There is an online panama hat shop: www.panamahatmall.com. I don't know if they ship to Australia or not but if you peruse their catalog you can get an idea of what you would look like wearing a panama hat. COOL! Some of the hats fold up for travelers.

...camel ride in the desert....

In addition to a hat and long sleeve sun wear sun and wind skin protection products are available. Dermatone is effective in winter environments with reflective sun and wind. Its a heavy pomade that doesn't run into your eyes.

http://www.tognar.com/dermatone-skin-protector-spf23-14g/

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Use on exposed skin to protect against chapping, wind and sun.
Popular with mountaineers, patrollers, instructors, racers and coaches, this formula is preferred for higher wind, more extreme cold
and/or greater sun exposure.
It is rated SPF23 and has a heavier (vaseline-like) texture that works more effectively as a sun/wind/frostbite barrier than
traditional sun protection creams or lotions.

PS. Tognar ships to Australia.

When you are in the Sahara, you can get a blue turban like this. It only turns your face a little bit blue and can also be worn in the Alps.

Looks like emsharp has not been back to see all these great suggestions.

I've got a hat from Columbia similar to the Outdoor Research hat that I take on national park trips. Nice thing about it is that not only does the brim cover a lot, it also packs quite small compared to a stiffer hat.

Sorry, I have been back but doing shift work so haven't had time to reply earlier. I leave soon enough that I don't have time to order something from overseas (but that hardly seems like a problem!), and but fortunately I've got lots of good options here in Australia.

Thanks to this feedback, I think I might get a stylish fedora but leave it at home, and take a lighter hat with a sun-protective focus, and maybe a beanie as suggested. I'd love to just buy one when I'm there, but we've only got one day in Marrakech before we start a tour, and I wouldn't want to have to run around all day hat-shopping if they weren't easy to find. I really like the suggestion of the blue Moroccan wrap - but does it really actually turn your face blue?!? I do have a black scarf I could use for a similar wrap (which wouldn't dye my face!) - I'll have a look at some Youtube videos for instructions about how to tie it. We also have lots of great sunscreens here, too, and there's already a tube in my spare room waiting to be packed!

Lots of fun to get a local girl in Morocco to tie your scarf for you! I did that in Turkey. One of the trip high Lites.

Lots of fun to get a local girl in Morocco to tie your scarf for you! I did that in Turkey. One of the trip high Lites.