Doubt all you want, but I maintain that anyone can wear a hat. If you don’t believe me, go ask any fashion stylist. She’ll say the same exact thing. There’s just one trick to wearing a hat: You need to find the right one for your style.
Click here for the top summer hat styles.
So how do you know when you’ve found “the one?” According to fashion stylist Ashley Roberts, “When you wear a hat, you should feel like a glorified version of yourself. If you start to feel like a character, then it’s not the right hat for you.” Simply put, if you pick up a bolero and tap into your “Annie Hall” alter ego, then go for it. But if you feel like you’re auditioning for a role in a play (and your chances of getting the part are slim), better ditch it for another less costume-y hat style.
Of course, that’s not the only criteria for choosing a summer hat — there’s more to it than just revealing your inner hip girl. “Think about what activities you’ll be doing the most and go from there. I have a visor for work, a baseball cap for weekend errands, and a floppy straw hat for the beach,” says celebrity fashion stylist Leila Wolford.
Get started on finding your perfect hat, flip ahead to get a look at some of the most popular summer hat styles. Then, if you’re still feeling iffy, check out this guide to finding the best hat for your face shape.