I would like to talk about a wide-brimmed straw hat that I bought a couple of years ago during a scorching summer holiday in Cornwall. I had actually forgotten to pack any proper headgear, and after spending the first afternoon squinting along the coast, I popped into a small seaside market and picked up this woven hat with a dark navy ribbon around the crown.
In terms of appearance, it is fairly understated and classic. The brim is about ten centimetres wide, which is brilliant because it casts a generous shadow over my entire face, ears, and the back of my neck. It is made from tightly plaited natural straw, so it is remarkably lightweight and allows the breeze to filter through, which stops my head from getting uncomfortably hot.
I tend to wear it whenever I am out in the open air for an extended period during the warmer months. That might be when I am pottering about in the garden at the weekend, going on long countryside walks, or just relaxing with a book in the local park. To be honest, I used to feel a bit self-conscious wearing large hats, but this one is so practical that I quickly got over that hesitation.
What I love most about it is the sheer comfort and protection it provides. It shields my eyes and skin without me needing to constantly reapply greasy sun cream to my forehead. On top of that, it is surprisingly resilient; I can roll it up loosely in a canvas tote bag, and it pops straight back into shape without any awkward creases.