A good summer hat is easy to spot, with its presence often few and far between on a crisp, sunny day.  In order to fully embrace the brimmed glory summer hats can offer, one must appreciate the full spectrum of summer headwear available. Head coverings for summer not only complete a free-flowing or casually breezy look, but they transition well from day to night. A perfectly draped floppy hat has been a summer favorite for ages and is offered at most department stores. The floppy hat has even made appearances at neighborhood grocers, discount stores and pharmacies for quick buys on heavily heated days. Target has some chic and affordable floppy, straw, boater and cloche hats from Merona and Mossimo, all for less than $20. Hats of the floppy and boater style are the most popular for summer, and for great reason. These hats pair famously with classic tea-length or flared           mid-thigh-length summer dresses in pastel colors and cotton-linen blend fabrics. Even though these hats are a staple with the typical summer maxi skirt or flowing dress, they also make a style statement when matched with a short, tight mini-dress accessorized by loose vests, oversized T-shirts or colorful scarves as a belt. If you desire a more utility- or sport-oriented hat for backpacking and sea voyages, Altrec.com has quality styles available for occasions ranging from nature-trail walks to festival fashion. O’Neill, Kavu, Tula and Mountain Hardwear are a few brands that offer durable and dainty straw-detailed floppy hats under $40. The variety of floppy styles offered on Altrec are impressive when considering all the possibilities of pairing with comfortable khaki shorts, jeans or even yoga pants on a hot day when a tank top and flip-flops may be the preferred look. Looking at O’Neill brand’s Junior’s Sunrise Sun Hat and Tula Hats’ Beach Hat may excite the savvy summertime shopper. These are perfect for a summer getaway to the beach, the Louisiana Strawberry Festival or the anticipated Jazz & Heritage and French Quarter festivals.  A few other styles are worthy of consideration for the perfect summer vacation. The Columbia Women’s Omni Shade Sun Goddess Booney in purple or pink provides a spark of fun color to the sturdy-brimmed hat. The neutral Mountain Hardwear Women’s Raffia Crusher Hat can tone down a colorful ensemble. Both are great for summer afternoon adventures.  The Prana Mindy Sun Hat, Holly Sun Hat and Coal Adelaide Hat provide a charming, lackadaisical, West Coast feel to a look. These hats can take a style from day to night with their short-brimmed and ventilated detailing, serving hat needs during sunshine or moonlight. Having covered all of the previous staple summer hats, I can’t ignore bucket hats. Sometimes the classic bucket hat has appeared dull, and it’s even associated with not-so-pleasant thoughts of fish markets and field work, but it should also be associated with cool tanks, wide leg jeans and fitted shorts. Some perfect examples are Original Fake bucket hats with cool-toned colorways and geometric digital prints and Obey Serpico bucket hat with a           nautical and camouflage design print. The Hundreds X Diamond Supply Co. bucket hats have made quite a stir with the Hawaiian- and army-inspired graphic print bucket hats currently offered. They are a great buy to pair with your swim trunk and beach shoes on the next tubing trip. Classic brands that have consistently produced popular bucket hats include Lacoste and Kangol, with innovative non-traditional bucket hats in rain-proof and other varying materials. Wherever hat obsessions may lead the modern consumer, summertime will be spent in the shade of stylish brims with straw details and ribbon trims for cool completion to hot looks.   Al Burks is a 25-year-old apparel design senior from New Orleans.
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