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    1. Fashion

    When I'm Packing for a Beach Vacation, There's Only One Non-Negotiable Accessory

    It's the anchor of my outfits.

    Brooke Ely Danielson's avatar
    By Brooke Ely Danielson
    Published 4 July 2026 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Brooke Ely Danielson wearing a straw summer hat
    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)
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    The summer hat should be a non-negotiable accessory. Hear me out. This is a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone kind of accessory. And honestly, I wish I wore them religiously in my teen years (hello sun spots!). Now in my adult life, I'm well aware that the summer hat pulls together an outfit quickly; keeps you shaded from the sun; and protects your skin, all at the same time (some styles excluded).

    Summer is the season of straw for me, although I also like a cotton wide-brim, even a chic baseball cap at times. The summer hat—weather straw, cotton, or cap—goes from the hiking trail to the beach to a nice lunch out, and is also perfect for gardening outside—all of the summer activities you’ve lined up for yourself. My particular style embraces a straw hat, whether wide-brimmed, short-brimmed, and visor.

    First up, the wide flat-brimmed straw hat. Janessa Leone makes the most delicious options; I've sworn by them for years. These are the hats I wear when I’m doing anything in the sun, from gardening to running errands. They make the most simple of outfits a little bit chicer and more rounded out. Next up, the bucket hat. To be honest, I don’t like most bucket hats. In fact, some of the only passable options are from Toteme, Janessa Leone, and Loewe. A packable version is always included in my vacation suitcase.

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    This wouldn’t be a summer hat story without the lifeguard hat. My entire family wears these around the beach. Easy to pair with any beach look, this is a styling piece that requires minimal effort—it goes with everything! The best version to date is one I found on Amazon, can you believe?

    Ctm Palm Straw Lifeguard Hat With Wide Brim, Natural

    CTM
    Palm Straw Lifeguard Hat With Wide Brim, Natural
    $37
    SHOP NOW

    Brooke Ely Danielson wears a cloche sunhat with a brown one-piece swimsuit

    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

    Brooke Ely Danielson wears a cloche straw hat on the beach

    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

    Brooke Ely Danielson wears a woven sunhat with a black bikini

    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

    Classic Hats I Love

    Sherman Hat

    Janessa Leone
    Sherman Hat
    $287
    SHOP NOW

    Straw Hat With Leather Detail

    Gucci
    Straw Hat With Leather Detail
    $730
    SHOP NOW

    Arizona Packable Wide Brim Hat

    Free People
    Arizona Packable Wide Brim Hat
    $68
    SHOP NOW

    Clairborne Hat

    Gigi Burris
    Clairborne Hat
    $460
    SHOP NOW

    Suni Hat

    Janessa Leone
    Suni Hat
    $387
    SHOP NOW

    Leather-Trimmed Straw Bucket Hat

    Ruslan Baginskiy
    Leather-Trimmed Straw Bucket Hat
    $375
    SHOP NOW

    Raffia-Like Sunhat

    TOTEME
    Raffia-Like Sunhat
    $290
    SHOP NOW

    + Artesano Heaven and Earth Checked Straw Bucket Hat

    Johanna Ortiz
    + Artesano Heaven and Earth Checked Straw Bucket Hat
    $475$285
    SHOP NOW

    Fun Sun Hats

    Brooke Ely Danielson wears a colorful floral sunhat on the beach

    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

    Holiday Bucket Hat

    Lack of Color
    Holiday Bucket Hat
    $119
    SHOP NOW

    Reversible Canvas Sunhat

    Hat Attack
    Reversible Canvas Sunhat
    $99
    SHOP NOW

    Margo Printed Cotton-Twill Sunhat

    Alémais
    Margo Printed Cotton-Twill Sunhat
    $250
    SHOP NOW

    Kiyoma Stripe Organic Cotton Bucket Hat

    Helen Kaminski
    Kiyoma Stripe Organic Cotton Bucket Hat
    $210
    SHOP NOW

    Old Town Bucket Hat

    Echo
    Old Town Bucket Hat
    $139
    SHOP NOW

    Paisley Print Wide Brim Hat

    Zara
    Paisley Print Wide Brim Hat
    $36
    SHOP NOW

    Lifeguard Hats

    Brooke Ely Danielson wears a straw hat with a denim button-down

    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

    Brooke Ely Danielson pairs a straw sunhat with a black long sleeve

    (Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

    Marina Panama Lifeguard Hat

    Brixton
    Marina Panama Lifeguard Hat
    $189
    SHOP NOW

    Mitch Packable Sun Hat

    Brixton
    Mitch Packable Sun Hat
    $49
    SHOP NOW

    Roma Wide Brim Hat

    Janessa Leone
    Roma Wide Brim Hat
    $287
    SHOP NOW

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Brooke Ely Danielson
    Brooke Ely Danielson
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    Contributing Editor

    Brooke has held editorial positions at Shape, Glamour, and Vogue, as well as contributed to In Style, Well + Good, Mind Body Green and Aspen Magazine. Brooke has also consulted for several brands, including Aztech Mountain and Tory Burch. Brooke has also made on-air appearances on the TODAY show, Fox5 among other media outlets while in her role as the Fashion & Lifestyle Director at Shape magazine. She runs the Substack 12 Seeds.

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