How did Connie Britton do it?
On the recent smash hit White Lotus (on HBO MAX), Britton, who plays a tech entrepreneur on vacation with her family in Hawaii, wears different big, stylish straw hats. I couldn’t help wondering how she packed t hem all without crushing them.
They certainly looked good—actually great—but would they really protect from the sun? For our trip to Greece, I was on the hunt for packable sun hats that have UPF sun protection and would look good.
I was surprised by all the choices from Coolibar , which also makes sun protection clothing for men, women, kids and babies, and Colorado-based Wallaroo Hat Company, a woman-owned business.
When Stephanie Carter started Wallaroo, she was Inspired by a visit to Australia — where the threat of skin cancer has long been understood — and wanted to amplify that message here in the United States. From the beginning, Carter has focused on quality craftsmanship and functional, fashionable designs — adjustable, packable, and comfortable, tested and rated according to the UV radiation blocking capabilities of the materials used and the construction of each hat., Wallaroo Hat Company has a 1% donation program specifically targeted to help in the elimination of skin cancer. Many of the hats are unisex—like the Palm Beach I’m trying ($53, though there are a good selection under $50)
![The Palm Beach from Wallaroo](https://takingthekids.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PalmBeach-1569_SM-1024x1024.jpg)
Coolibar’s mission is to “keep the world safe from sun damage, protect those who suffer from a sun-related medical condition and prevent everyone else from getting one.” The make good-looking sun-protective tops, tunics, bottoms, swimwear, coverups and of course hats for every member of the family.
![Marina Sun Hat from Coolibar](https://takingthekids.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/02269-232-1000-1-coolibar-marina-sun-hat-upf-50-683x1024.jpg)
The company has developed fabrics that are lightweight, soft, breathable, stretch, moisture wicking, fast drying, cooling, and anti-microbial—everything you want as well as UPF 50+. There are all varieties of hats—big brin, fedora, natural colors and dark colors, even reversable ones. I’ve got the Women’s Marina Sun Hat with a moisture wicking internal headband and yes, it’s packable and even crushable made from a woven polyester shell .
My clothes may wrinkle, but not my hats!