With our outdoor lifestyles, we are susceptible to the sun’s harmful UV rays. This means that as we gear up for the heat of summer, having a hat to protect you is a summer essential.
“Since my parent’s generation used to lather themselves in olive oil and lie in the sun all day to get a tan, we have become a lot more educated about skincare. People are more aware of sun damage and are opting to take care of their skin, whether that be in the form of skin products or wearing clothing and accessories that will protect their skin from the sun,” says Genna Shrosbree of Beagle + Basset
A hat is an accessory that not only provides you with sun protection but that adds a unique element to any outfit as Fréya Hats South Africa’s Stephanie Brearley comments, “I believe that a hat is more than something that adorns your head. It allows the wearer to tell the world who they are.”
From bucket hats to boleros, we’ve put together a list of 7 South African hat brands to keep you shaded in style.
Beagle + Basset
Beagle + Basset is a four-year-old botanical dye studio and non-seasonal clothing and homeware brand based in Cape Town. Built on values of responsible production and consumption, Beagle + Basset use natural fibres like cotton and linen to make timeless creations, and colour all their textiles using locally-foraged plants.
If your style is classic, understated luxury, Beagle + Basset’s Floppy Hat made from 40% cotton and 60% linen is the perfect summer accessory for you. The Floppy Hat is a broad-brimmed bucket hat that comes in three sizes including Kids, S/M, and M/L with an inner drawstring. If you are unsure of your size, Beagle + Basset recommend opting for a bigger size and using the drawstring to adjust the hat to fit your head.
The Floppy Hat is available in two colours, white and natural, from R695. You can order your hat online with free shipping for orders over R750 in South Africa, or arrange a collection time from Beagle + Basset’s studio at The Woodstock Foundry at 170 Albert Road in Cape Town.
Remember, naturally-dyed items require different care than chemically-dyed items. Check out Beagle + Basset’s CARE instructions to maintain the colour and life of your hat.
BROKE
BROKE is a cross-cultural apparel brand championing non-conformity and individuality. Officially launched in Cape Town in 2020, BROKE draws much influence from 90s pop culture.
Co-founder Andile Dlamini grew up in caps and bucket hats. “As my style is predominantly inspired by the Pantsula subculture, hats have always been a big part of my everyday outfits, but I think they are slowly but surely making a comeback because designers are finding new ways to make them cooler and more interesting.”
If your style is street, BROKE’s caps and bucket hats are fitting choices. Andile explains that BROKE experiments with various fabrics, namely cotton and corduroy. Their bestseller is their classic ‘B’ Baseball Cap made from 100% cotton twill with an adjustable strap at the back and available to order via their online store from R399.99.
If you’re struggling to decide on a style or colour, Andile recommends looking at what you already have in your wardrobe paying particular attention to the shoes you wear as he adds, “with that being said, black is always safe!”
The Real Crystal Birch
The Real Crystal Birch is hat heaven. The Cape Town-based milliner has been reimagining hats as contemporary, creative forms of self-expression since she established the award-winning brand several years ago.
Championing local, all Crystal Birch Hats are made by their in-house team in Cape Town. There are currently over seven CANSA-approved summer hat styles on offer, which means there’s a hat for everyone, every time, and every mood!
Pair summer picnics and garden parties with the popular Billie Bolero Paper Panama Hat for R980 which comes in a natural biscuit colour, and black. The certified UV protective hat with necktie detail means you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. For a day at the beach or by the pool, opt for the Lola Visor Wheat Straw Hat in five different colourways from R890. Or, if you’re looking to keep active this season, enjoy summer strolls and hikes with the Peek Cap Paper Panama Hat in White or Red for R880.
Crystal Birch also offers a range of hats for children from boaters to boleros and bucket hats starting from R450 which are fancifully detailed with rainbow ribbons and plushy pom-poms.
All hats are available in five sizes ranging from S to XXL online, in-store on the 1st Floor at 42 Newmarket street on the Foreshore in Cape Town, or at select stockists in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban.
Fréya Hats South Africa
Cape Town-based hat brand FRÉYA HATS regard their hats as fashion pieces with a purpose. All their hats are made from natural fibres or up-cycled materials by female-owned CMTs based in South Africa. Many of the brand’s stylish chapeaus have undergone scientific testing by a laboratory and are certified with a CANSA Seal of Recognition to offer UPF 50 + protection.
If your wardrobe says ‘practical but playful’, explore their wide offering from straw hats to baseball caps online. If you don’t know how to choose, founder and designer, Stephanie Brearley says their top seller is the Maya in Sandstone thanks to its versatility and sun protection. The wide, mouldable brim means this hat can be easily packed into your bag for holidays and outdoor adventuring.
If you’d prefer to shop by occasion, for a hike Stephanie suggests the certified sun-protective Avery Hat which is available in many colours and patterns and complete with chin ties to secure the hat in place for vigorous movement. For a day at the beach or by the pool, Stephanie says you can’t go wrong with their bestselling Maya Hat – especially the ones that come with a matching, oversized shirt which is ideal to throw over a costume. Their Straw Visor with elastic band is a close second.
The brand also offers a collection of kids’ hats from R249.
Me&B
For the funky, dopamine dressers out there, consider Me&Bs Flower Hat for R399. Made from 100% cotton, the one-size-fits-all Flower Hat has a wide brim shaped like flower petals and comes in plain black, ivory, and fatigue (dark, olive green).
For a splash of colour and pattern, choose the Ultimate Sun Hat in Orange & Blue Floral for R345. The orange and blue floral hat has a wide brim that is longer at the front to keep your face completely out of the sun. Match this hat to one of their costumes or collared box shirts.
Shop Me&B hats online or at their stores at 44 Stanley Avenue in Johannesburg, The Palms in Cape Town, or at WE ARE EGG.
Sealand Gear
“Hats are a staple in adventure gear for people to protect themselves from harsh elements as well as being a companion to one’s adventure,” says Sealand Gear’s head of creative services, Courtney Munna.
Sealand Gear offers two hat styles via their online and physical stores. Their bestselling Hemp Bucket Hat for R625 is a wide-brimmed hat made from upcycled sails and a hemp/rPET blend. This hat is complete with an adjustable chin strap and inner top pocket making it a sturdy companion for hikes and days at the beach. The Hemp Bucket Hat comes in medium and large and is available in three colourways.
For something a bit sportier, opt for Sealand Gear’s one-size-fits-all, six-panel Hemp Peak Cap for R495. This classic peak’s outer is made from a hemp/rPET blend and its under-peak offers a pop of yellow, blue, or charcoal colour made from upcycled nylon spinnaker (similar to ripstop).
If you’re struggling to decide on a style or colour, Courtney suggests stopping by one of their stores or stockists to see what works best for you. “I would always suggest going for a neutral choice that would fit into a more classic style, but at Sealand, we always have both options,” she says.
HAT
HAT is a small clothing and home accessories brand based in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) founded by creative director and owner, Andrea Smith. Based on slow fashion values, the brand hand-sews all its items including bags, pouches, cushion covers, and of course, HATS!
Hiking, camping, or picnicking, whatever’s on the outdoor adventure menu this summer, HAT has an array of hats to pair with each experience. Explore their “moving through summer” collection which includes their Flat Fishers Fish hat made from a cotton blend for R270.00 and their Dora X hat made from a corduroy blend also for R270.00. Or, take a look at their panel Bucket Hat made from a denser cotton blend for R250.00 which comes in a variety of colour ways and is complete with striped detail.
HAT believes in an inclusive approach to design which is why they also offer custom-made services. “This service allows us the opportunity to build a bond with our client and not only implement our creative perspective but also gain our clients’ creative perspective and understanding,” the website states.
- Images: Supplied by brands
