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Reviewed / Eric Javits
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Ever since seeing the Sex and the City movie in theaters back in 2008, I’ve been a big fan of oversized sun hats. I have Samantha Jones to thank for that. While she popularized the style in that too-funny scene (you know the one) over a decade ago, people on TikTok continue to rock the trend. In fact, mentions of huge sun hats, large sun hats, and oversized floppy sun hats have collectively amassed over 100 million views. Suffice to say, dramatic headwear is bound to make an appearance at a beach, pool, or lake near you this summer.
Specifically, you might see Eric Javits silhouettes left and right. After all, the brand has garnered special attention on the “clock app,” with over 27 million views and counting. Ever intrigued by luxury items and curious about whether or not they’re deserving of such hype, I got my hands on two of the brand’s most popular silhouettes, the Giant Floppy Hat ($560) and the more modest Hampton Hat ($260). Keep reading to learn whether or not these viral hats are actually worth it.
What is Eric Javits?
Eric Javits makes luxurious hats and headwear that are perfect for summer sun.
Eric Javits is a luxury hat brand renowned for its durable hats designed with UPF 50+ protection. After noticing a gap in the headwear market back in the ‘90s, Javits created a proprietary straw-like material, Squishee, which can be rolled up without damaging the hat’s integrity.
What started as a brand of packable hats that spring back to their original form, evolved over the years into an accessories brand that also offers handbags and footwear, in both men’s and women’s styles.
What I liked about Eric Javits
The Eric Javits Hampton Hat is easy to pack and comes in every color of the rainbow.
It’s sold in every color of the rainbow
The Eric Javits Hampton Hat (and the Giant Floppy Hat, for that matter) is sold in every shade of the rainbow. It’s also available in a variety of natural hues, including white, brown, and light tan. There’s even a silver option! Considering many straw hats are only sold in shades of tan and brown, this is a huge bonus in my book.
It rolls up for easy packing
The Eric Javits Hampton Hat is designed with the brand’s signature Squishee material, which makes it flexible not only for wear but for packing, too. Where it easily conformed to my head for comfortable wear, it also rolled up easily and bounced back to its original shape afterward.
It can be shaped
Even though the Eric Javits Hampton Hat isn’t designed with a wire brim, I found it to be super pliable. I was able to push the brim up or down (and it’d stay like that until I moved it again) for more sunlight or more shade, all without permanently distorting the shape of the hat.
It has UPF 50+ Protection
While everyone should be concerned about sun protection, as someone with fair skin and a lot of freckles, I’m particularly fond of headwear that offers UPF protection. Hats that are UPF-rated are proven to block a certain amount of UV radiation. The lowest UPF rating is 15, while the highest is 50+, which is what Eric Javits hats are guaranteed to deliver. Ultimately, this means that wearing an Eric Javits hat has the ability to significantly block UV radiation and protect the skin from cancer-causing UV exposure. That’s not to say they replace the need for sunscreen—they’re still best worn in conjunction. Nevertheless, any extra protection helps.
What I didn’t like about Eric Javits
The Eric Javits Giant Floppy Hat is glamorous and oversized, as long as you're gentle with the wired rim.
The Giant Floppy Hat runs small
Despite its expansive wide brim, the Eric Javits Giant Floppy Hat runs a bit small. While it’s designed with an elasticized inner band to accommodate most head sizes, I found that it was too snug to fit squarely on top of my head. Instead, in order to wear this hat, I had to prop it on the back of my head, at which point it felt like it could fling off if I spun around too quickly or tilted my head forward or back.
The wire rim is finicky
Beyond the sizing, I was disappointed to find that the wire rim in the Giant Floppy Hat, which is designed to offer shaping, doesn’t bounce back the way that the Squishee material does. Given the gigantic size of the hat—and the fact that it only fit on the back of my head—I hoped to tailor the rim to offer more shade at the front of my face. Unfortunately, when I maneuvered the rim in an attempt to create more shape and shade, it kinked and will not return to its original shape, nor let me further bend it to create a more desirable silhouette. Now, when I try to bend it, the rim merely pops up or down with a harsh angle, neither of which is ideal.
Is Eric Javits headwear worth it?
Eric Javits' luxe headwear is bold and fashion forward.
It depends on the model
If you’re in the market for a colorful, comfortable, easy-to-pack hat, I can get behind investing in the Eric Javits Hampton Straw Hat. It’s lightweight, offers UPF 50+ protection, and has a wide enough brim to offer adequate shade. Best of all, it can be shaped a number of ways without damaging the overall silhouette. Given the quality and durability, I imagine this style will last for years to come, making it worth the price.
On the flipside, I don’t recommend the Eric Javits Giant Floppy Straw Hat. Given the price point, I expected this hat to be the best of the best—and to hold up. Considering there were no notes to not bend the rim—and because it highlights the shapeable wire rim as a design element—I was disappointed to find that doing so seems to have permanently flawed the expensive headwear.
With that in mind, if you have your heart set on a Samantha Jones-inspired straw hat, I’d be more inclined to direct you toward the San Diego Hat Company’s Ultrabraid XL Brim Straw Sun Hat ($53). It’s sold in eight colors, for a tenth of the price.
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