Let's talk Hats!

Lulu,

Visors don't provide much protection from the sun. I always use my venerable Tilley hat when out in the hot midday sun and it really works to keep the heat down.

Hi,

I use a baseball cap. Not particularly fashionable but they look good on me and protects my face from sun & rain.

Thanks,

Mary

I definitely use a hat! Rome is all sunshine and I also have long hair. It really wasn't a hassle to take off and on. I bought my hat there in Rome. Picking out a cute hat became my souvenir for the trip. But I definitely vote for a sun hat with a wide brim! Very fashionable in Italy😍

Lulu, I would also vote for a hat. It's hot in the cities as well as the beach, and maybe moreso, as heat reflects off the cobblestones and buildings in the cities. If you do an internet search for foldable or travel type hats, you should be able to find something fashionable that can squish and still retain it's shape. REI has a good selection, as does Travelsmith.

This subject came up several months ago. Why don't you see if you can find that exceedingly lengthy discussion.

Assuming you mean summer hats, I have honestly only worn them maybe twice in my life. Hate them. I just use sunscreen and forget it, but I have thick hair so my scalp is at no risk. A visor won't help your scalp, anyway - it will keep the sun off your face (if you're at the right angle), but wearing high SPF sunscreen (reapply every couple hours) and sunglasses will have a similar affect. I wouldn't wear a hat in Rome unless I magically found one that looked good on me AND was packable. I do plan my time to be out of the sun in the heat of the day (maybe 2-4 PM depending on time of year and place). I'm either using it as my siesta, in a cafe, in a museum or other indoor site, or in a park under a tree. I find going back to my hotel after lunch for a rest to be a good travel tactic anyway.

People with thin hair, especially bald men, may find hats a necessity. A visor, however, doesn't help with scalp coverage, so is unnecessary. Wear it if you want, but it sounds like you don't want to.

I like the idea of getting a nice, cute hat there if you want one.

i never wear hats but was so glad that I bought a ladies REI hat. It is 100% polyester, lightweight, packs so easily, has held up well being packed into purses, etc. I wear it instead of sunglasses. Sunglasses bother me when taking photos due to color change. Taking off sunglasses every time you walk into a building was not fun, so I just take the hat off and velcro it to my purse when entering a building.

Lulu, Will you ever get packed :)

When do you leave for your trip.

Lulu,
Tilley also makes a number of "non-safari" looking hats for women. Check out their website.
Gene

Now Carol, I'm just trying to have some fun. :). I have 3 more months to wait. All the big things are done, reserved and paid for. Little details like this...sure, I could just not post anything and throw my beach hat in...but what fun is that?

I enjoy reading everyone's responses, and do take them to heart. 1. I'll ditch the visor and wear a hat. I have one for the beach, but now I will look at Rei or Tilly to see if there is something better. 2. I might buy a more fashionable one in Rome, too.

I do know I start lighter subjects like hats,shoes, purses...but I find I do get different ideas from them and hopefully others do too. It's hard just sitting and waiting.

Regardless of the country or season I always take my Tilley hat

I did not pack a hat last Fall and regretted it in Venice. I bought one for less than 10€from one of the vendor carts between St Mark's and the water. The vendor picked one out that I hadn't noticed (matched my glasses and one of the colors in my scarf), adjusted it just so and pronounced it bellissima so really...who could resist?

I just got back from Marshall's where I found a Scala wide-brim SPF 50 cotton hat for half the retail price. I paid $14.99. I read about Scala hats at travelfashiongirl.com/packable-travel-accessories/. It is 100% cotton with a 3-inch brim that can be turned up if desired. When I left the store I rolled it up and put it back in my shopping bag while I ran other errands. I unrolled it at home and it looked fine. The weave is sort of like linen. I love that it is lightweight and will definitely keep the sun off my easily burned face and neck. I'm feeling that this will be my go-to travel sun hat.

I like Wallaroo hats. They are attractive and packable. There are also many styles and sizes to choose from and would be perfect for summer travel.

I ditto Wallaroo for the reasons already stated.

Jaye, I think the Scala hat you found is the one that I normally purchase in all sort of shades. Is it this one? They also have a bunch of pastels. I like this one because it's a 5" brim instead of the 3" that are everywhere (I have both).

https://www.hatcountry.com/scala-classic-cotton-sun-hat-womens-sun-hat.html

I went to look at the Wallaroos and this one is similar to the scala, but is a 4"

https://www.wallaroohats.com/products/casual-traveler

I love both of these styles and this is what I was thinking of taking with me to Italy as they pack so well. I was just thinking I'd like something maybe a little sleeker. I found one that is packable from the list everyone gave above..and forgot to write it down, now I have to go find it again. But, I know I can' go wrong with the Scala. So might just take that and then if I find something uber cute in Italy for 10 Euros can just grab that.

Lulu, that is the Scala hat. I wasn't even shopping for hats when I found it at a discount. I think you have the right idea about taking something you already have then getting another at your destination if necessary. It can be a nice reminder of your trip.

I do think the Wallaroo hats might be easier to keep clean since they are microfiber.

I love the scala hat. I wear the white one consistently all summer, and find I have to purchase a new one every 2 -3 years as that color gets a little grimy...and you can't wash them (I accidently did that one time...arhg...limp hat).

I have the red and white in the 5" brim and a turquoise in the 3" brim. Since I don't wear those as often, they've retained their shape longer. I need a new white one for home and beige for my trip. There are so many colors, it's just hard to choose from.

You can tighted the rope inside and it's unbelievable how it will stay on your head even with an extremely brisk wind. I love this hat.

I know this goes against most 'travel laws', but I like, Mary, love a baseball hat. I do not wear it often, but always have it with me when I travel. It's easy to keep in a daypack in case you find you need it. It does a great job of protecting scalp/face from the sun. And, let's face it, all of us women have had those bad travel hair days and a baseball hat works great in a pinch!
It can also be a conversation starter. When traveling, it's nice when strangers recognize the logo and can say: 'Hey, I've been there, too' or 'I love that place', etc.
And, if it makes me look like an American woman, well, what can I say? I am one!
Enjoy your travels, everyone!

Given the high rates of skin melanomas here in Colorado, both my wife and I never go anywhere without our Tilley hats. Been wearing mine for over 20 years now. It goes with me wherever I go including our upcoming trip to the Benelux countries in Oct.