Summer hats convey style, offer sun protection

JOANNE KLIMOVICH HARROP  | Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, 8:57 p.m. (excerpt)

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Put a lid on it.

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A summer hat will protect you from the sun's damaging rays while at the same time helping your wardrobe to shine.

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“A great hat becomes the finishing touch to an outfit — and makes a unique style statement. Plus, hats protect your face from the sun,” says Brenda Koskinen, president and chief merchandising officer of Coldwater Creek Direct. “We all want to be one of those women who wear hats with ease and panache, and we've got styles to help you do just that.”

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The smartest hats this summer have wide brims for a sophisticated look and offer the most sun protection, Koskinen says. They're fabulous for the beach or city streets.

Another trend is the foldable hat, which packs easily into your tote or suitcase and pops back into perfect shape when you're ready to wear it, she says

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Adding a hat is like icing on the cake, says Kathi Hursh, a stylist at Macy's in South Hills Village. It's a finishing touch. A menswear-inspired, narrow-brimmed fedora looks great with just about any summer outfit and offers protection from the sun, she says.

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Summer headwear offers the versatility of being able to be worn into early fall, says Jennifer Copeland, of Jennifer L. Copeland Millinery in Squirrel Hill. That aspect makes them a worthwhile investment.

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“The style of summer hats really varies,” Copeland says. “Celebrities inspire most hat styles. But you can never go wrong with a fedora in summer. Hats are about the individual and his or her personality.”

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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-320-7889 or jharrop@tribweb.com