***Photos taken with Nikon S550 Camera***

As any Kentucky Derby fan can tell you, summer hats are far more fashionable than their autumnal counterparts. (No doubt in part due to the lack of controversial materials involved: When’s the last time you saw someone get up in arms about raffia? Now rabbits, on the other hand…)

But while perky visors, straw bowlers and Panama hats have long been de rigeur for outdoor adventures like seaside frolics and Sunday brunches, lately a new style has popped up on fashionable heads: The Topless Hat. Once reserved for retiree wardrobes exclusively, the alterna-accessory has been incorporated into tony vacation looks (like those seen at Oscar de la Renta’s recent Cruise show) and re-imagined by milliners like Eric Javits. So what’s the allure of the non-hat hat? “It keeps the sun-induced wrinkles away while bleaching out my locks,” says one of my stylish colleagues. To test drive this spa-treatment-like accessory for yourself, try one of these:

Eric Javits Halo Visor, $165

Ugg Wrap-Around Visor, $56.25

Palm Leaf Guatemalan Hat, $24.75