Helen Kaminski: Gifts Below $400

The number refers to the brim length in centimeters. A Provence 10 has a 10 cm brim and a Provence 12 has a 12 cm brim, while a Besa 6 is a short brim cloche. Higher numbers give more shade; lower numbers are easier for everyday wear.

Many styles are labeled rollable or packable, made from fine raffia braid that bends without breaking. Roll the hat gently instead of folding it sharply, and wrap it loosely in clothing. Check each product's details, since not every style is rollable, and unpack it soon after arriving.

Choose pieces that share a tone but vary in texture, like a braided hat with a crochet bag, so the look feels coordinated rather than matched. Keep clothing simple, such as linen or solid cotton, and let the natural fibers carry the outfit.

A boater has a flat top and a flat, even brim, giving a crisp, polished look for garden parties and summer events. A raffia fedora has a pinched crown and a softer brim that feels more relaxed. Choose the boater for occasions and the fedora for daily wear.

Woolmark certification means the wool meets the Woolmark Company's standards for fiber content and quality. Traceable means the wool can be tracked back through the supply chain to where it was grown. Together they signal quality merino with a known origin.