Come spring, I'm always excited to shop for new warm weather staples, whether it's a pair of sunglasses or a dress. Sun coverage is a huge factor I consider when getting dressed, especially if I'm going to be outside a lot, and sun hats are an essential part of keeping my rosacea in check. I have hats in all sorts of shapes, from baseball caps to floppy, wide-brim hats that offer varying amounts of sun coverage. I've been searching for a straw bucket hat to add to the rotation but have struck out with styles that are either too droopy or unstructured. I finally tried Madewell's Whipstitched Straw Bucket Hat ($52) and have a feeling I'll be living in it this spring and summer.
What I Like About the Madewell Whipstitched Straw Bucket Hat
The wider, lantern-style brim of the hat actually does a decent job of shading my face. It has just enough structure to hold its shape so that I can actually see from underneath it. Whipstitching is everywhere for spring, and the coloring of this hat offers a hint of contrast without being too busy. The subtle pattern helps it mesh a little better with darker-toned clothes, like these mocha-colored linen pants and black vest, but it looks just as good with a white dress or even jeans and a T-shirt.
If you're a straw hat lover who struggles with packing your hat, this one can be gently nestled into your bag without damaging its structure. One of the draws of this hat for me was that it's labeled as "suitcase friendly" on Madewell's site. I'm used to either wearing my hats or carrying them through airports, so having one that I can easily pack is a welcome change.
What's Worth Noting About the Madewell Whipstitched Straw Bucket Hat
The hat is available in both Alabaster and True Black, both of which are equally cute. I was actually torn between which one to get because I love them both! Some shoppers noted that the hat doesn't hold its shape as well as they'd hoped. The hat is intended to be "perfectly unstructured" per Madewell's description, but I personally find that it has subtle dips and curves that hold their shape for the most part. I'm wearing the small/medium size and after trying on the medium/large, I noticed that the smaller version held its shape a little better.
Who Is the Madewell Whipstitched Straw Bucket Hat Best For?
This design is perfect for someone who is looking for a hat with minimal structure and moderate sun coverage that can be packed in a suitcase without compromising the integrity of the shape. If you want a hat style that feels really fresh for spring, you can't go wrong with this straw bucket hat - especially with its on-trend whipstitched details.
Where Is the Madewell Whipstitched Straw Bucket Hat Available to Shop?
You can grab this hat at Amazon or Madewell.
Additional Details
- It comes in two sizes: Small/medium or medium/large. I'm wearing the small/medium.
- It comes in two colors: Alabaster and True Black.
- It's made from straw.
- The hat should be spot cleaned.
Rating:
Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Commerce. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments for TV Guide Network and video content for brands like Pier 1 and Walgreens. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.