The other day while running in my neighborhood, I came across this scene. It isn’t often that I see real street style in Seattle (they were tourists searching for Curt Cobain’s house). And so naturally, I spun around to capture it all with my iPhone. I mean, how often do you see a pair of cool Mary Jane-ish boots (to the left)? But most of all, I absolutely love the black hats!
If you want to add an extra dose of cool to your summer look, I highly recommend a black hat. Why do I say, “Go black”?
Sure, the classic white fedora with black band has character.
But wear that same hat in black, and you automatically make a bolder statement. Think Humphrey Bogart or Johnny Depp in Dead Man! Think L.A.! Wearing a black hat doesn’t automatically make you a villain, but who can deny it can give off a flavor of edginess and/or spunk?
Even if you’re in the mood for something more feminine – a la Holly Golightly – you can certainly go black; this style is a lovely choice.
Let’s face it, hats protect that area of the body we especially want to keep young-looking. And besides sunscreen, what better way is there to shield us from damaging UV rays? Although we normally expect to see summer hats in neutral to lighter shades, if you really think about it, black absorbs the sun’s rays rather than reflecting them onto your face and neck.
Besides that, a black hat just looks cool!
For those who aim for a New York vibe, a black cap will do the trick – with or without the Yankees logo.
This weekend I checked out a few styles myself at Nordstrom. A super helpful and lovely saleswoman Audrey modeled these fun styles. My favorite is the fedora with the tan-colored band.
I also quite like this hat I saw in Seattle just yesterday.
Want one more reason to wear a hat in black this summer?
“You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion.” — Christian Dior
XO, Janea
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There's nothing like spending time in the great outdoors. Whether going on a short walk, out on the boat, to the beach, on a hike or doing something else outside, protecting your skin from damage and sunburn should be high on your priority list.
Even on a cloudy day, UV rays can harm your skin and lead to damage and potentially skin cancer (source). While the best thing you can do is to avoid being outside for prolonged periods between 10 am and 4 pm, that's not always possible in all circumstances.
If you’ll be outside during this time or when the UV index is high, wearing sunscreen and clothing that protects you from the sun is vital. But you may ask, what's the best color to wear in the sun for sun protection? Black. Keep reading to find out why.
Absolutely. Clothes can help protect your skin from the sun's rays. That being said, not all clothes are created equal regarding sun protection. Specific colors will protect you more than others, but unless the clothing is created with specific sun protection technology, it won't 100% protect your skin from the rays.
The main things you'll want to look for when shopping for clothing to help with sun protection are items that:
You can wear several colors for sun protection, but the best one is black or any bright color.
Most people believe wearing black or other dark colors in the sun is bad. While it can make you feel hotter than in different colors, it's the best option for your clothing when you want to protect your skin.
Black and dark colors absorb more UV rays than other colors, which will ensure they don't hit your skin as much.
Essentially, the darker the color, the more sun protection it will offer. Besides black, other dark colors that can provide a level of sun protection include navy, maroon, and dark gray.
If you're not interested in wearing black in the sun because you don't like it or don't want to be too hot, bright and neon colors are the way to go.
Like black, bright and neon colors absorb more rays than pastel and lighter colors.
Even though most neon and bright colors will be protective, yellow is the worst neon color to wear in the sun.
Despite being a color that keeps you cool in the sun, it provides the least amount of sun protection compared to other neon colors and black.
When it comes to protecting your skin from the sun, you don't just want to think about the shirt and pants you wear and their colors.
Hats are a great way to shield your face from the sun's rays and your scalp. Most people forget to apply sunscreen to their scalps, so wearing a hat can be a lifesaver, literally.
Sun hats are some of the best items you can wear when hiking or out in the sun on any occasion to protect yourself. The best sun hats will be great for all-day wear and long-lasting for the rest of your camping trips for several years.
There are a lot of gender-neutral hats out there, but there are men's sun hats and women's sun hats that you can shop for so you can find the style and color that suits you the best.
We have a large variety to choose from, but if you want the best options, in our opinion, you can shop via our page for the best sun hats for men and the best sun hats for women.
Besides a hat, be sure to choose socks and shoes that are also black or in bright colors to protect your feet as best as possible.
While the color of your shoes isn't as important, if your socks are covering your ankles, you don't want to wear a color that attracts the sun's rays and additional heat.
Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best things you can do for your skin and your overall health.
Wearing darker or brighter clothing will absorb UV rays more than others and protect your skin better than white or pastel shades.
As you pack for a camping trip, a regular vacation, or are simply looking for a great hat to wear to protect you from the sun, be sure to check out our best packable sun hats.
Shop 'Bondi' Wide Brim Fedora
There's a lot to learn about protecting your skin, especially with clothing. Here are a few frequently asked questions that other outdoorsy folks are asking about sun protection.
While most people grew up thinking that the color black attracts the sun's rays, that's not necessarily true.
It has everything to do with the color's properties and composition that determine how it interacts with sunlight.
Since black absorbs more sunlight, people believe it attracts it. Despite absorbing more light, it does a better job at protecting your skin due to the absorption.
Wearing any clothing can protect your skin from UV rays, but some colors do better than others.
Since white doesn't absorb as much sunlight as darker or brighter colors, UV rays can still penetrate the clothing and reach your skin.
It's still better to wear white than nothing, though, when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun.
Yes, sunlight can penetrate clothing and cause skin damage and sunburn. Choosing to wear clothing with a high sun protection rating, sunscreen, or dark or bright clothes are the best ways to protect your skin from the sun.