A hat can start out as the practical choice and end up being the best part of what you’re wearing. It comes along for sunny days, afternoons outside, travel, errands, and all the other times when a little shade is welcome, while color, print, and interesting details give it plenty to contribute beyond keeping the sun out of your eyes.

There’s also no rule saying a favorite hat has to look the same every time it comes out. Adding something extra can change the feel, bring in another color, or give an old favorite a reason to make its way back into regular rotation. Sometimes the smallest change is enough to make the whole thing feel fresh again.

Hats tend to settle pretty comfortably into everyday life. They get tossed in the car, packed for trips, grabbed on the way out the door, and kept close for the days when the weather — or the hair — makes the decision easy. Useful and easy to wear, with plenty of room for personality, they’re the kind of accessories that don’t spend much time waiting for a special occasion.