As the summer sun continues to beat down, hats are a popular means of protecting ourselves from its fierce rays.
Wide-brimmed safari hats are in fashion this year. They are lightweight, do not take up much space and are perfect for outdoor events.
Safari hats were originally worn by adventurers exploring Africa. The wide-brimmed, form-fitting hats provided protection from the heat.
Now, people wear them while camping, barbecuing or doing other outdoor activities. A number of brands offer casual hats with chin straps.
Ichiyon Plus, a hat store in the Trie Keio Chofu Shopping Center in Chofu, Tokyo, has a display of safari hats it recommends for sun protection when outdoors.
A chin strap prevents the hat from being blown off by the wind, and allows it to hang from the neck after removing it. Even in crowded places, there is no need to worry about the hat getting lost.
One of the store's employees, Yoshiharu Sasabe, said that bright colors like yellow and orange have sold well. There are three options priced at 2,500, yen 3,500 yen and 4,500 yen.
"I think people who already own ones in standard colors like black or navy buy a brightly colored one for their second hat," he said. Bright colors contrast well with plain-colored clothes.
Some hats have a wire in the brim so the shape can be adjusted.
"I recommend having fun making changes, like asymmetrical shapes," he said.
When choosing a safari hat, balance it with the shape of your face and size of your head.
Sasabe said that people with youthful features look childlike in hats with smaller brims, while people with round faces can make their face look smaller if they choose a larger brim.
Also think about how the color will look with your clothes.
"There's also how it looks with your skin tone, so try on at least three," Sasabe said.
Sporting goods stores also sell safari hats. L-Breath Ochanomizu in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, has safari hats in a corner featuring items for outdoor music festivals. They are priced at around 5,000 yen.
Many hats have mesh around the head to improve ventilation. Other features include fabric that cuts ultraviolet rays, repels insects or is water-resistant or waterproof.
Shoko Endo, a staff member at L-Breath, likes going to music festivals. "At all-day events the direction of the sun changes. Safari hats, with brims that go all the way around, are better for preventing sunburns than caps with a brim only in front," she said.
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