9 best sun hats for women to buy in 2023
DREAMING of summer days? These are the best sun hats for women that you’ll want to snap up this year.
Whether you’ve got a holiday booked to tropical climes or you’re getting a head start (ahem) on your seasonal wardrobe, it’s always a good idea to be prepared with a sun hat that is both functional and stylish.
Not only does a sun hat provide much-needed shade from the strong rays of the sun, but many fabrics are treated with UPF which protects your skin from ultraviolet rays.
If you want to go really pro, hats from outdoor brands will have more technical features: think moisture-wicking fabrics, ventilation panels and even removable ‘capes’ that fully cover your neck.
Elsewhere, buckets hats and wide-brim styles are a go-to if you want style as well as function, offering 360-degree sun protection as well as a limitless choice of fun designs that will accessorize perfectly with summer looks.
Check out our pick of the best sun hats for women available to shop now.
Best sun hats for women at a glance:
- Best for the beach: Comhats UPF 50 Wide Brim Floppy Sun Hat
- Best neck coverage: Comhats UPF 50 Foldable Wide Brim Cotton Sunhat with Chin Strap
- Best sweat-wicking: Columbia Bora Bora Booney Unisex Hat
- Best wide brim hat: Shady Character Packable Wide Brim Hat
- Best bucket hat: YK-Hat Reversible Foldable Cotton Printed Bucket Sun Hat
- Best stripey hat: Whiteley Fischer Ribbon Sun Hat
- Best reversible hat: Holiday Sun Hat UPF50+
- Best printed hat: Cath Kidston Pomegranate Cotton Sun Hat
1. Comhats UPF 50 Wide Brim Floppy Sun Hat
- Comhats UPF 50 Wide Brim Floppy Sun Hat, £25.99 from Amazon – buy here
With its natural woven design and contrasting black band, this hat is a beach classic that will keep the sun off your face and add a touch of retro glam to sunny days.
Hat brand Comhats says it’s passed the UPF 50+ test, meaning ‘it could block 97.5% or more of sun UV rays.’
We love the fact that it’s foldable so it’s ideal for popping in your bag if you don’t want to wear it all day.
Plus with seven variations on the design, you’ll be able to pick your fave.
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2. Comhats UPF 50 Foldable Wide Brim Cotton Sunhat with Chin Strap
- Comhats UPF 50 Foldable Wide Brim Cotton Sunhat with Chin Strap, £23.99 from Amazon – buy here
This hat is equipped with UPF 50+ sun protection and has a cool utilitarian feel, thanks to design details like the detachable chin strap.
Made from pure cotton, it’s completely foldable and packable, making it an ideal travel companion – but don’t worry, one customer notes that the front of the brim is stiff, so it will keep its shape.
And if you’re looking to cover your neck in particular, the dipped design of the brim proves extra coverage at the back: clever.
3. Columbia Bora Bora Booney Unisex Hat
- Columbia Bora Bora Booney Unisex Hat, £30.17 from Amazon – buy here
Columbia’s Bora Bora Booney is a fishing hat that boasts an ‘ultra-sweat-wicking headband and a mesh vent panel for days on the water’.
With UPF 50 sun protection and an adjustable drawcord and toggle, the design may be super-practical and performance-focused, but we love that the colour choices include this coral hue for a fun splash of colour.
4. Lanzom Wide Brim Foldable Sun Hat UPF 50+
- Lanzom Wide Brim Foldable Sun Hat UPF 50+, £13.89 from Amazon – buy here
The wide-brim floppy hat is a summer staple that oozes glamour and sophistication – and at under £15, you’ll definitely want to snap this one up.
Available in a whopping 23 different styles and colour variations, the straw material is soft and breathable, while the wide brim will provide plenty of sun coverage.
‘I’ve used it every day due to its versatility’ says one reviewer, adding: ‘By far my favourite aspect is the chin strap! Normally I’d find these irritating but it has saved my hat from being blown hundreds of metres away numerous times.’
5. YK-Hat Reversible Foldable Cotton Printed Bucket Sun Hat
- YK-Hat Reversible Foldable Cotton Printed Bucket Sun Hat, £8.29 from Amazon – buy here
The bucket hat is a 90s revival favourite that shows no signs of going anywhere this season – it’s an instant way to add a laidback vibe to your summer accessories.
Not only is this one a great price, but it’s effectively two hats in one thanks to the reversible design with a cute daisy motif: we’ve opted for black and pink, but there’s also black and white or black and yellow to choose from.
It’s made from 100% cotton too, so your head will be able to breathe and stay cool in the summer heat.
6. Whiteley Fischer Ribbon Sun Hat
- Whiteley Fischer Ribbon Sun Hat, £19.95 from Joules – buy here
This striped sun hat by Whiteley Fischer is bold and vibrant – perfect for making a statement this summer.
The brand has been making hats for over 80 years and is one of the UK’s leading hat manufacturers, so you’re in safe hands here.
Crafted from a ribbon and paper braid, the natural woven finish adds texture but importantly, airflow, allowing your head to breathe on the sunniest of days.
7. Free People Shady Character Packable Wide Brim Hat
- Shady Character Packable Wide Brim Hat, £58 from Free People – buy here
Free People is always a brand worth visiting for its carefree boho style, so you just know it’s going to nail sun hats.
This hat is suitably statement, with a huge brim that will add all the shade while looking fabulously extra.
If you don’t fancy going all-out with this bright yellow hue there’s also some more neutral options including chic chocolate and summery white.
8. Solbari Holiday Sun Hat UPF50+
- Holiday Sun Hat UPF50+, £45 from Solbari – buy here
Melbourne-based brand, Solbari, prides itself on offering ‘the highest quality, stylish and lightweight’ sun protective clothing and accessories – and with all that Aussie sun, it’s no wonder it’s an expert.
This UPF50+ sun hat has a flexible brim with an internal wire, so the shape is fully customisable whether you want to wear it to shield your eyes or folded upwards for a little more sun exposure.
The double layer of cotton-linen blend fabric is not only breathable but is fully reversible, so you get two hats in one.
‘Just what is needed to protect me from the harsh summer sun. Love the fit and colour,’ writes one happy shopper.
9. Cath Kidston Pomegranate Cotton Sun Hat
- Pomegranate Cotton Sun Hat, now £20 (was £35) from Cath Kidston – buy here
This floppy hat by Cath Kidston is virtually guaranteed to put a smile on your face: just look at that pomegranate print!
It’s made from 100% cotton poplin, with a soft foldable design you can carry in your bag and pull out when you need it.
The retro style continues with a chin strap that can be worn loose or tied up if it’s a little breezy out.
‘Really cute and great quality material’, says one five-star review.
How much are the best sun hats for women?
Prices varied in our search and of course, it all depends on the brand you go for as well as technical features.
However, as a general rule of thumb, you can pick up a cheap bucket hat for under £10, a stylish floppy hat for between £15 and £20, and a hat with more technical features for £30 and upwards.
Where to buy the best sun hats for women?
From outdoor brands to fashion retailers, there are so many places to turn to when it comes to shopping sun hats. We found some great options from the likes of Solbari, Cath Kidston, Free People and Columbia. Check out our picks above.
What to look for in the best sun hats for women
There are some key features you can consider when shopping for sun hats: first of all, fabric. Cottons and natural woven fabrics offer breathability, while additional mesh panels are great for ventilation.
Anything that mentions UPF 50 will give you added sun protection, while it’s also important to pay attention to the size of the brim as this is what will keep you shaded.
Likewise, designs with longer fabric at the back will keep your neck covered, while it’s always handy to have an adjustable chin strap to ensure that your hat doesn’t fly off in breezy weather.
Looking for more stylish savings at your favourite fashion chains? Visit Sun Vouchers where you’ll find amazing discounts and voucher codes for hundreds of fashion retailers including ASOS, Very, River Island, Roman Originals, New Look and more.