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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#039;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.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
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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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