You’ve arrived on the sunny island of St. Croix! The weather is warm and the sun is shining. But if you find yourself without a hat, worry not—here’s some helpful advice for choosing the right hat and maintaining a healthy head.
Choosing the Right Hat
Visitors and Virgin Islanders, when it comes to headgear, a bucket hat reigns supreme. Wondering why? Well, a bucket hat is skillfully designed to provide full coverage for your head, ears, face, and neck. While wide-brimmed hats offer the utmost sun protection, it’s worth noting that a baseball cap, while immensely popular and comfortable, falls short in covering the neck or ears. Nevertheless, its widespread appeal lies in its ability to effectively shield the face and head, making it a stylish choice suitable for all ages.
Best Color for Sun Protection: Dark Blue
Opt for a dark blue hat to block ultraviolet rays effectively. Dark colors, like dark blue, absorb less UV radiation, providing 95% proven protection. Although lighter colors such as white and gray keep you cooler, a dark-colored hat is recommended for your head.
Umbrella Hats and Sun Protection
If you’re into creative alternatives, black is the best color for umbrella hats. While it’s advised not to wear black clothing during a heatwave, a black hat can shield your head, allowing your body to stay cool. Pair dark-colored hats like black, red, purple, or green with light-colored clothing.
Tips to Avoid Baldness
Protecting your head from the sun is crucial, but wearing a hat daily can block scalp follicles, potentially causing baldness. Here are some tips:
- Rotate Your Hats: Avoid wearing tight hats daily. Fitted hats are nice, but changing them up helps prevent issues.
- Hair Care: Wash your hair after wearing a hat to clean away sweat. Use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smelling good and strong.
- Sanitize Your Hat: Disinfectant spray is ideal. Let your hat hang for a couple of days after spraying the inside.
- Multiple Hats: If you wear hats daily, have more than one. Rotate them for proper sanitation and hair growth.
Ideal Hats for Sun Exposure
- Fisherman Hats: Ideal for extended sun exposure, especially out at sea. They offer practical protection rather than a fashion statement.
- Head Wraps: Opt for 100% cotton, dark-colored wraps, and pair them with light-colored clothing for balanced heat distribution.
- Wide-Brimmed Hats: Consider straw hats, banana leaf hats, and coconut leaf hats for comprehensive sun protection. Pair them with white cotton material for additional coverage.
Places to Shop for Hats
Explore these locations near the airport in Frederiksted:
- The Fred Hotel Boutique
- Ahh Boutique
- Urban Threadz
- S.C.U.B.A/Molly West
- Franklins on the Waterfront
- L & F Castle
- Total Vibes 340
- K-mart Sunny Isles
Enjoy your time in St. Croix, and don’t forget your stylish protective hat!