Fashion: Head turners

Our model wears the Citta Design Mendes hat. See below for details.

Straw hats in various shapes and colours encourage a stylish approach to staying sun-smart over summer.

A straw boater or sunhat with a grosgrain ribbon tied around it might conjure up romantic images of garden parties on the terrace, but there's a multitude of straw hat styles from neat trilbies to floppy beach hats, which provide full coverage whatever the occasion. And while our notoriously harsh UV rays are something to be careful of all year round, it's particularly important to take extra precaution as the temperature climbs.

There are practical advantages of investing in a decent hat that protects and also looks good. Twenty-seven Names' navy straw hat is a welcome addition to the brand's carefully edited collection of accessories, topping off a key look from the brand's current collection - a navy linen culotte suit, crisp white T-shirt and a pair of sandals. Australian label Lack of Color has also become a popular go-to for well-made straw hats for men and women. It's the perfect addition to that other summer fall-back, a crisp cotton dress in white. Stay cool.

The hats

Main image: Citta Design Mendes hat $239. Blak dress $199.

Hats from left-right:

Helen Kaminski Hina hat, $300, from Smith & Caughey's.
Twenty-seven Names Plein Air hat $240.
Seed Heritage hat $89.90.
Mimco Stratosphere boater $99.90.

Hats from left-right:

Hills Hats Panama hat, $197.50, from Hattitude.
Sensi Studio Toquilla Panama hat, about $277, from Net-a-Porter.
Yosuzi Sirena hat, $385, from Matches.
Lack of Color Tuscany boater, $99, from Superette.

Our model below wears the Boston & Bailey wide brim hat, $40, from Farmers. Blak dress $199.