Hats are a classic, debonair way for a man to protect himself from the sun.  A smart-dressed man reaches for a hat on the way out the door as the simple, functional way to complete a look.  Many men say, “I’m not a ‘hat person’.”  This is false.  ’Hat people’ are merely the people brave enough to wear them.   The key to looking your best in a hat (as with most clothing) is to focus on fit.  Tight-fitting hats shrink the head and can add the illusion of weight; loose-fitting hats can lend the wearer an unfortunate, Oliver Twist appearance.  Also remember that light colors are the only way to go in these warm summer months.  Browse some simple, straw fedoras from Banana Republic, and take cues from the following photos to inspire your own look.

Sean Connery: keeping it classy.

Summer formal

Nick Wooster, owning the straw fedora and the blazer/shorts combo we highlighted 2 weeks ago here.

Straw hat staying on trend with the season’s bright colors. Dapper and Daring.

Another formal look for summer.

Your author, taking a casual approach to the straw fedora at the beach.