Well folks, it's that time of year again where it is just hot, hot, hot.
It's enough to make some debate whether it's worth sacrificing the shade and sun protection provided by a hat or not, if just to not have yet another article possibly insulating us and making us even more miserable. We're even having days here in the 90s feeling well over 100° with humidity. It's safe to say, well... We get it.
But hold on just a minute! We've got a slew of stylish summer straw hats just for this time of year to help keep you covered and still beat the heat of these dog days of summer. Let's take a look.
Shady Safaris & Wide Brims
The key to staying cool these long and simmering days is looking for hats that have specifically woven-in venting throughout their crowns while still keeping you nicely covered and providing adequate sun protection.
If UV sun protection is specifically your concern, you'll of course be looking for brims wide enough to keep you covered, so safari brim fedoras and wide brim straw hats are going to be a focus.
The Belfry Zealand totes a natural Panama straw body with a western touch to the blocking, pairing a solid flat weave on the top of the crown and brim for maximum coverage and a fine vented crown to keep airflow passing through, keeping you from being too stifled from the heat. Likewise, the Digger by Stetson holds a similar styling, but with much more open venting in the crown. While not a natural straw, the Digger's Shantung paper straw comes with a lacquered coating, so your hat will be more protected against any sudden rain or splashes from the beach and pool.
Meanwhile, the Dunraven by Stetson comes in a looser seagrass weave that overall will also support airflow of the crown, but makes up for a potential loss in sun protection by the addition of patches along the bottom of the brim and inside the top of the crown to protect your face and scalp.
Looking for something more packable for travel? The crocheted raffia straw of the Belfry Spello provides a durable safari straw hat that is ready to hop on the next plane! Due to the crocheted nature of the material, the crown is naturally vented, providing relief as you go about your day. It may not give the most solid sun protection, but it is worth consideration depending on your specific needs!
Stylish & Cool Stingy Brims
Less worried about sun and more about staying cool and stylish? Whether you prefer stingy brim fedoras, trilbys, or pork pies, we certainly have a slew for you to choose from!
Stingy brim fedoras bring all the classy style of a fedora and give it a playful turn with their shorter brims, and we love the range they give in how you wear and style them. If you're looking for a hat with some hattitude, the Belfry Villasanta comes with a patterned open weave of seagrass for its crown that does more than simply keep you cool. The venting becomes part of its playful design, accented with its patterned band and grounded on a flat weave of paper straw for the brim to help protect your face and ears.
Likewise, the Belfry Enzo delivers its own kick with a fun ochre trim and band that plays up the natural shifting coloration of its natural seagrass straw body, utilizing a more open weave just over the hat band to encourage airflow right where it's needed.
As far as trilbys go--and for those who enjoy the snapped down look of fedoras, the Belfry Donato and Corrado both sport crocheted raffia crowns that, much like the Spello, will give all-over venting in the crown to be enjoyed wherever you go. (Looking for an even more durable and packable option? Check out the Belfry Ragusa!)
One of our top pork pie choices absolutely has to be the Belfry Marineo. With its sleek two-tone contrast between the natural seagrass crown and rich, black paper straw rolled brim, it's definitely a hat that can make a statement paired with a suit or dressed down for a great time out enjoying the season, and with the ample venting of the crown, pulling off either look is no sweat!
For avid Panama straw fans, we offer the Belfry Pasquale as an alternative (or the Belfry Stafano if you are hunting for a lighter straw.) Like the Zealand, it has a more subtle venting woven into the crown, and the flat weave of the Panama helps to protect your scalp otherwise.
Don't Sweat It!
So you see, there really are a handy array of options to choose from even despite the heat, and no matter the occasion! Don't believe us? Come try them on and see what you think! We'd love to see you and help you out. Visit our store at 103 Main Street, Downtown Annapolis, or reach out to our customer service at 888-999-HATS (4287) or by email at hats@hatsinthebelfry.com.
