Rock Your Look With Festival Hats for Women: Why Hats Are Essential for Festival-Goers

When Woodstock kicked off in 1969, ushering in the outdoor music festival craze, it wasn’t just the raging tunes and free-spirited vibes that caught people’s attention; it was also the fashion.

Images of young men and women clad in bell bottoms, fringed vests, headbands and, of course, women’s festival hats flooded the media and inspired generations of festival-goers to embrace their inner bohemian and express themselves through their wardrobe.

Fast forward to today’s modern music festivals like Coachella, Outside Lands, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, and you’ll find the same spirit of self-expression, individuality and fashion-forwardness still alive and well.

And while festival fashion trends may have come and gone over the years, from flower crowns to fanny packs, one accessory that, for its practicality and style, has remained a staple for festival-goers is the hat.

4 Reasons Why Hats Are a Must-Have for Music Festivals

With summer in the air, the music festival season is about to go into full swing. And as you start putting together those undoubtedly Instagram-worthy festival outfits, don’t forget to top it off with a hat.

Here’s why:

1. A Hat Protects You From the Sun

Once that festival band’s clamped firmly on your wrist, you’re in for a multi-day affair of nonstop music, dancing and partying — yes, but also unrelenting sun exposure. All those hours spent in the open air, often without shade, will subject you to intense UV rays, which can cause sunburns, heat exhaustion and dehydration — not exactly the makings of a good time.

A music festival hat for women can be your best ally in keeping the heat at bay and staying comfortable all season long. But what type of hat do you wear to a festival? A wide-brimmed one like a Panama straw sun hat is a great choice. Made from tightly woven toquilla straw, these hats are lightweight, breathable and provide ample coverage for your face, neck and shoulders.

They generally have a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50, which means they block out 98% of harmful UVA/B rays. They also have an adjustable chin strap that’ll keep them from flying off your head come rain or wind (or a rough mosh pit).

2. It Improves Visibility

What good is that $200-$600 festival ticket if you’re constantly squinting or getting blinded by the sun and can’t actually see your favorite artists perform? You might be tempted to make a case for sunglasses here, but let’s face it: All that nose-pinching, sliding and readjusting is just not worth it in a crowded, sweaty festival setting.

Hats, on the other hand, like straw baseball caps, for example (ones with a brim that’s just wide enough to keep the sun out of your eyes without compromising your view), are a perfect solution.

Better yet, they come in classic, go-with-anything colors like beige and black, so whatever festival get-up you’ve got on, they’ll fit right in.

3. It Adds an Element of Style to Any Outfit

So far, we’ve hammered on about practicality, but let’s not forget what got us talking about hats in the first place — they make a killer fashion statement. Whatever your style, hats can instantly elevate any festival outfit.

If you’re packing your weekend bag and wondering how to wear a hat, for ladies the options are endless. Feeling boho? A floppy, woven sun hat with a colored band will take your denim shorts and flowy top ensemble to the next level. More of a rocker? A fedora hat in leather or felt will add some edge to your all-black outfit. A retro lover? A straw bucket hat with a ribbon around the crown will give off major ’70s vibes and turn heads everywhere you go.

With so many styles, shapes, and materials, there’s a hat for every mood and attire, so play around and find the one that best suits your festival look.

4. It Covers Up a Bad Hair Day

If you’ve ever been to a music festival, you know that personal hygiene and grooming habits often tend to fall by the wayside. Showers are few and far between, hair styling tools are practically non-existent, and let’s not get started on the porta-potties.

Add to that the sweltering heat and humidity combined with hours of jumping around, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for some seriously unruly hair. What’s a girl with greasy roots and frizzy ends to do? Throw on a hat, of course. But in this case, not just any hat will do.

You’ll need one with breathability built in to avoid exacerbating the sweat situation, and also won’t flatten out whatever volume or curls you’ve managed to save. In this scenario, a straw visor hat is the clear winner.

Its open-top design and adjustable back strap will keep your head cool, your hair intact and your style on point no matter how many days into the festival you are.

Put on Your Festival Hat and Let the Good Times Roll!

Hats are a timeless accessory that’s as practical as it is fashionable. And for music festival-goers, they’re an absolute must-have.

Shop for your perfect festival hat today from Kin The Label’s handcrafted, high-quality, and ethically made headwear collection, and get ready to rock out in style and comfort all season long.