Fall Shop

Lightweight felt, cotton, corduroy, and linen blends bridge the gap between summer and cold weather. Save heavy wool and faux fur for later in the season, and keep a light cap handy for warm afternoons.

Choose warmth you can adjust, like a wool cap or beanie you can pull off as the afternoon warms up. A felt outback or bucket hat adds shade and sheds light rain on hikes and sideline days.

Pick a material with enough warmth for cold mornings, like wool felt or a wool blend cap, in a neutral shade that goes with heavier coats. Styles with a lining or ear flaps stretch further into winter.

Felt is the traditional choice once fall arrives, since it holds warmth and stands up to wind and light rain. Many western hat wearers switch from straw to felt around Labor Day and back to straw in late spring.

They're best saved for the colder end of fall and for winter, since dense, fuzzy fibers trap a lot of heat. On mild autumn days, a wool felt hat, corduroy cap, or lightweight knit is more comfortable.