What accessory comes to mind when you think of sipping lemonade at the beach, strolling through the farmers market and staying protected from the sun? That’s right, a straw hat! This quintessential accessory often gets associated with the sunny days of spring and summer. However, with a little creativity and the right styling, you can seamlessly transition straw hats into your fall wardrobe. Just as cowboy hats aren’t confined to a particular season, straw hats can adapt beautifully to cooler weather, adding a unique touch to your autumn style. In this blog post, we’ll answer the question “Can you wear a straw hat in the fall” and help you discover a few ways on how you can achieve the perfect fall look with a straw hat you already have at home.

Why Straw Hats Aren’t Just for Summer

Like the seasons, fashion is always evolving. Straw hats have a unique feature that expands beyond just a summer accessory—they are stylish and functional as the year continues into the cooler fall months. The sooner you understand how versatile straw hats are, the sooner you’ll style and transition them into your autumn wardrobe effortlessly.

What makes straw hats so versatile that you can wear them from summer to fall? Because they are lightweight and breathable, they are an excellent companion for both warm days and the cooler days of early fall. Instead of storing your hat in the closet as soon as Labor Day is over, try and style your straw hats with outfits in the following few weeks. We know that your straw hat can be the perfect accessory to help you bridge the gap between seasons.

Styling a Straw Hat in the Fall

Now that we’ve established why wearing a straw hat during fall is also a good idea, let’s talk about styling.

Combining the Textures

Note the texture and style of your straw hat and consider how you can create depth when styling. For example, a rough straw hat with a soft wool scarf will add an eye pleasing contrast, while suede will blend exceptionally well with straw because of the soft, slightly rugged feel. Both of these options will keep you warm and cozy while still protecting you from the sun’s rays in the early days of fall.. 

Combining the Colors

You can also play around with color combinations to create contrast with your straw hat. Consider mixing the light color of a straw hat with the beautiful, deep and moody colors of a typical fall wardrobe. A good example of this includes pairing a light beige straw hat with a deep burgundy sweater. This will make the outfit look intentionally contrasted and rich in style.

If your fall wardrobe includes mostly monochromatic or neutral tones, there’s another point of inspiration when it comes to curating an autumn look. Create a head to toe look by matching your outfit with the color of your hat, making for a curated and uniform look.

Combining Different Styles

Style your casual straw hat with a structured blazer to add a laid back vibe to a typically polished look. This will make your outfit feel less stiff, which will work out perfectly for semi-formal occasions or casual Fridays at the office.  

Combining Different Silhouettes

Combining your structured straw hat with a flowing silhouette creates a balance with your fall look. Try pairing your straw fedora with an oversized cardigan or a long trench coat that flows. The structured brim will ground the outfit, making for an even and elevated shape.

Combining with Layers

As the temperatures dip, the trick is to balance lightness of accessories with warmth. Try pairing a thin sweater with your favorite straw hat for a relaxed look. For chillier days, layer a classic, neutral-colored trench coat and a colorful scarf to complete your look. This outfit will be perfect for brunch with your friends or an afternoon walk through the city. 

If you’re a summer dress lover, like us, a great way to keep wearing your floral dress in the first few weeks of fall is layering it with cozy pieces and accessories. Combine your favorite sundress with a chunky sweater and ankle boots for a look that looks and feels like fall. Add in your straw hat and you are good to go!

Make your straw hat a staple for this year’s fall by incorporating sweaters, boots and cozy details into your outfit. Whether that’s layering them with warm cardigans or choosing rich colors to make your look seasonal, you can make simple styling decisions for your straw hats that make them feel appropriate for fall. 

 

Style Straw Hats Between Summer and Fall

The first day when temperatures drop from the 80s to the 60s can catch everyone off guard — deciding what to wear becomes a real challenge. Mornings might start cool at 60 degrees, but by the afternoon, it warms up to 77, making it tricky to find an outfit that works all day long.

That’s where straw hats come to the rescue. They bring a touch of summer’s lightness but, when styled right, fit perfectly into fall wardrobes. Instead of tucking them away until next year, keep them in your rotation with smart transitional styling. Straw hats are just breathable and lightweight enough for those warmer midday moments, while adding structure to cooler-weather looks.

Think of straw hats as the ultimate seasonal bridge. They soften heavy fall layers, making your outfit feel lighter without letting you get too bundled up too soon. Whether you’re layering denim, breaking out your first quilted jacket, or accessorizing with earthy tones, a straw hat adds the perfect balance and polish.

It’s the easiest way to extend your favorite summer pieces while embracing that cozy, autumnal vibe that fall brings each year.

Pairing with Light Denim

Here’s an unexpected but spot-on pairing—straw hats and light denim! The cool, crisp tones of denim beautifully offset the warm, natural texture of straw, resulting in a laid-back look that hints at summer while effortlessly transitioning into fall. Perfect for breezy beach strolls, farmers’ market trips, or casual weekend brunches.

 

To pair straw hats with light denim:

• Layering is the key: Pair your denim jacket with matching jeans in a similar tone over a shirt—perfect for tackling those chilly early mornings. When the sun comes out and it heats up, you can easily shed the jacket and let your straw fedora provide some shade. This combo keeps your outfit balanced for changing temperatures throughout the day.

Layering with a camel trench coat offers a more polished, less casual look. Ultimately, it comes down to personal style! Opt for structured layering pieces to complement the straw hat, as slouchy items like a crewneck can make the fedora feel mismatched with your outfit.

• Add earthy tones: Incorporate the fedora into your outfit by adding other pieces in warm, earthy tones—whether that’s sneakers or ankle boots, depending on your style. You can also enhance the look with a crossbody bag in true fall colors. Layer in accessories like a thin scarf or a felt bag to bring in an autumn vibe without overpowering the outfit. Even small touches in rust, olive, or deep burgundy will anchor the look for the season while keeping a subtle, summery feel—effortlessly and naturally.

• Elevate for evening: Swap the sneakers for block-heeled boots, layer on a silky blouse or scarf, and your light denim and straw hat combo will effortlessly transition from casual daytime to dinner-ready. When dressing up your straw fedora, don’t forget to accessorize—a gold piece of jewelry or a statement clutch will elevate the look, making the hat feel like a deliberate style choice rather than just a summer leftover. The secret lies in balancing textures—soft silk, structured denim, and woven straw—to create an outfit that’s both polished and effortlessly chic.

Pairing with Quilted Jackets

A quilted jacket provides the ideal cozy layer to complement the light, breezy vibe of a straw hat. The combination of textures results in an outfit that’s both functional and stylish. Keep it casual with denim and sneakers for daytime, or elevate the look with ankle boots and a crossbody bag in warm, earthy hues to seamlessly blend with fall’s color palette.

 

When and Where to Wear Straw Hat Outfits in the Fall

Every outfit and accessory has a time and place to wear it and the same goes for your fall straw hat outfits. 

Outdoor Events

If you love participating in autumn events that make the season packed with exciting moments, then straw hat outfits will be a must. Harvest festivals, pumpkin patch days and laid back Sunday markets are ideal for wearing a straw hat. As the outfits need to be chic and Instagrammable, yet functional, straw hats will also protect you from the fall sun. Day trips or casual hangouts, like brunches, are great opportunities to pair your straw hat with denim, a flannel shirt and boots. This look is effortlessly casual, yet styled for a perfect day with friends. Make sure to avoid rainy weather, as straw hats should be kept dry. Or, opt for a weather resistant hat style!

Formal vs. Informal Events

Like any accessory or styling choice, finding the perfect balance between fashion and formality is key – and will change depending on the event you’re going to. If you’re going to a formal event, like an outdoor autumn wedding, then a structured straw hat will be the best choice to match the sophistication of the occasion. Styling with a fedora that has clean lines and a refined shape is an excellent choice. This style of hat will look polished and elegant paired with a formal maxi dress or a stylish suit. 

Informal events like backyard birthdays and lunches allow for straw hats that have a more relaxed shape. Cowboy inspired hats will evoke a playful and lighthearted style to your entire outfit.

While it’s easy to think of a straw hat as a summer-only accessory for beach days and fun in the sun, a little bit of creativity can take your hat straight into the changing seasons. Incorporating thoughtful layers, playing around with color and texture and finding a style that fits you is the ultimate inspiration in straw hat fashion for autumn.

We hope you feel inspired to wear a straw hat this fall!