The 2023 spring/summer fashion season has arrived filled to the brim with designer-inspired hats and caps. Trending this year are oversized fedoras, bucket hats, chic cowboy hats and and simple or high-styled baseball caps. For women coping with hair loss from cancer surgery or treatment, hats and caps are more than a glam accessory. They need to do the heavy lifting when it comes to scalp coverage, sun and wind protection, and to be extra comfortable on that oh-so sensitive skin. Before you head to that outdoor wedding or family beach house, remember–all hats and caps are not created equal!

Here are some of our favorite tips for turning a hat or cap style that you like into one that you’ll love.   

• Buyer Beware

Off-the-shelf hats and caps often don’t provide enough coverage for key cancer hair loss hot spots–the back of the head, neck, and ears.

• Retail Therapy

Shop for head coverings at cancer boutiques. Whether in person or online, these specialty stores offer an amazing range of trendy styles that are designed for hair loss. In addition, they sell padded caps, headbands, and other beneficial hat accessories. 

• Old Becomes New Again

Attached to your favorite bucket hat, cloche, or ball cap?  Try wearing a very wide, hair loss-specific headband or tying a light scarf or bandana underneath your hat to provide extra coverage. Scarves also add variety and refresh your look.

•Hat Hair

Some companies sell hair attachments or products that can create the illusion of hair when worn under a hat or cap. These include bangs, hairpieces that attach to headbands, and halo hair, a ring of hair that circles the head. Halo hair is a cool, lightweight option to wearing a full wig.

• Hats with Hair

These are hats with hair already attached. Baseball caps with bangs and a ponytail are one of the most popular types of these wear-and-go hats.  There are even styles for swimming including bathing caps. 

• Hot Headed?

Sun protection is a must, particularly for skin made ultra- sun sensitive from radiation or chemotherapy. Opt for hats, caps, and sun scarves that have UPF 50+ sun protection built into the fabric. In addition, choose styles that are appropriate for outdoor activities like golf, cycling, hitting the beach or walking with your BFF.

Hair loss is devastating.  Take advantage of the wide variety of hats, caps and headscarf options available. Express your personal style and don’t be afraid to experiment. They are wearing berets on the runway. Why shouldn’t you?

Browse and shop Cancer Be Glammed’s “Life & Style” e-Boutique for stylish head coverings. For more tips about how to care for your scalp during treatment, read our blog, Breaking Bald: Caring For Chemo Hair Loss in our series, Know and Tell.