Women of yesteryear wore hats because they were fashionable. Today, most people wear them for protection from the sun.

Bob Winder, 58, said he's already experienced a bout of cancer, and he's taking precautions to protect himself from the dangers of the sun's rays.

"I work outside for a living, and I'm very aware of skin cancer," Mr. Winder said. "I may look silly in my hat, but I'm wearing it for a reason."

Jeremy Thomas is manager of www.sunprotectionhats.com, an Internet-based store that sells hats made of UV-protected fabric. He said many of his customers are required by doctors to wear the hats, which have an ultraviolet protection factor of 50.

"Doctors tell them to wear the hats because they're either suffering from skin cancer or as a means of preventing skin cancer. For most of our customers, it's important that the hats are rated 50 and that they have a large brim," he said.

Hat manufacturers are making strides in making the protective hats fashionable, Mr. Thomas said.

"A lot of people, particularly women, want to look good and feel comfortable with a hat, so most of the hats we sell are fashionably appealing," he said.

Local businesswoman Becky Browder, 56, wears hats year-round.

"I love hats. It's important to wear them in the sun, but I also like to wear them for fashion reasons. I have an extensive collection of straw hats and several vintage ones. Sometimes I think we ladies have gotten a bit too casual. I think there are occasions when it's important to dress up, and a hat is the extra touch that dresses up an outfit. In fact, I wear a hat to church every Sunday."

FASHION FOCUS: FIT HAT TO FACE SHAPE

A hat is one of the best defenses against sun damage. To find a hat that flatters your face, here are tips from Wallaroo Hats (wallaroohats.com). For a round face, choose a hat with a squared crown and medium-width brim. For an oval face, a wide brim that folds up or down is flattering. A heart-shaped face looks pretty in a hat with a square or flat top. A rounded crown and narrow brim sit a narrow or small face. And even when you're wearing a hat, don't forget the sunscreen.

-- McClatchy Newspapers