Memorial Day Weekend: Crown Your Pool Party & Beach Looks
Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to summer—pool parties, beach days, backyard barbecues, and long weekends with friends. But here's the thing: your fit isn't finished without a crown.
If you've got locs, afro, braids, or serious hair volume, you know the struggle. Standard sun hats sit on top of your hair like a coaster, pop off when you dive in, or squeeze so tight you get a headache before the BBQ even starts.
That ends today. Here's how to style Memorial Day weekend with hats that actually fit your hair.
The Memorial Day Weekend Edit: What Works & Why
1. Oversized Brim Sun Hats — The Beach MVP
What It Is: Wide-brim sun hats with 4-6" brims, deep crowns, and serious sun protection. Think French Riviera vibes with modern streetwear edge.
Why It Works for Big Hair: The oversized brim balances voluminous hair, while a deep crown (3.5"+) means the hat fits your HEAD, not just your hair. No mushroom head, no constant readjusting.
Memorial Day Styling:
- Beach day: Cream oversized sun hat with black one-piece swimsuit and oversized sunglasses
- Pool party: Tan wide-brim with high-waisted bikini and sandals
- Yard hang: Neutral sun hat with linen romper and slides
BigHeadz Picks:
- XL wide-brim sun hat in natural straw (deep crown + 5" brim)
- Cream oversized sun hat with leather band (fits 7 ¾–8")
- Tan wide-brim fedora for pool-to-bar transitions
Pro Tip: Look for crown depth, not just brim width. A wide brim on a shallow crown sits ON your hair; a wide brim with a deep crown FITS your head. BigHeadz designs for fit first, hype second.
2. Bucket Hats — Festival & Pool Day Energy
What It Is: Casual bucket hats with soft crowns, short brims, and packable design. Y2K revival meets everyday practicality.
Why It Works for Big Hair: Bucket hats are forgiving—they drape over hair instead of squeezing. Look for XL/XXL sizes with wider openings (7 7/8"+) so you don't get that tight-band squeeze after an hour.
Memorial Day Styling:
- Festival prep: Electric blue bucket hat with graphic tee and cutoffs
- Pool hang: Neutral bucket hat with swim trunks and flip-flops
- Beach volleyball: Charcoal bucket with athletic top and board shorts
BigHeadz Picks:
- XL/XXL bucket hat in charcoal gray (fits 7 7/8–8")
- Electric blue bucket hat for bold energy
- Olive green bucket hat for earthy, natural vibes
Pro Tip: Test fit by shaking your head. If the hat stays put without tightness, you're good. If it slides off, it's too shallow—go up a size or check crown depth.
3. The Classic Fitted Cap — From Beach to Burgers
What It Is: Structured New Era 59FIFTY with flat brim, no adjustable strap, and that iconic streetwear silhouette.
Why It Works for Big Hair: A properly sized fitted cap (7 7/8" or 8") sits comfortably above the ears without squeezing. Deep crown means room for braids, locs, or afro compression without riding up.
Memorial Day Styling:
- Beach to boardwalk: Navy 59FIFTY with white tee and denim shorts
- BBQ chill: Black fitted cap with hoodie and cargo pants
- Pool day casual: All-white 59FIFTY with swim trunks and slides
BigHeadz Picks:
- New Era 59FIFTY in black (size 7 7/8 or 8)
- Navy 59FIFTY for coastal vibes
- All-white 59FIFTY for clean summer energy
Pro Tip: The brim should be flat but not stiff. If it's curling, reshape with warm air from a hair dryer. Never crease the brim—that breaks the silhouette.
4. Straw Fedoras — Elevated Outdoor Elegance
What It Is: Artisanal straw hats with fedora shape, decorative bands, and handmade charm. Vacation energy meets polished style.
Why It Works for Big Hair: The fedora's structured crown provides depth and stability, while straw is lightweight for long days in the sun. Look for XL sizes with crown depth over 3.5".
Memorial Day Styling:
- Outdoor wedding: Cream straw fedora with floral dress and sandals
- Farmers market: Tan straw fedora with linen set and tote bag
- Beach bar: Braided straw fedora with cover-up and heels
BigHeadz Picks:
- Cream straw fedora with woven details (XL sizing)
- Tan straw hat with leather chin strap for windy beach days
- Braided straw wide-brim in natural straw
Pro Tip: Straw hats breathe—that's the point. Don't wear them with a scarf underneath; that defeats the purpose. Let your hair flow and let the hat do its job.
How to Pack for Memorial Day Weekend (Hat Edition)
The Must-Haves:
- One sun hat (oversized brim for pool/beach)
- One casual hat (bucket hat or fitted cap)
- One dressier option (straw fedora for evening outings)
Packing Tips:
- Pack sun hats upside down with tissue paper in the crown to maintain shape
- Bucket hats stuff into shoes—space saver!
- Store fedoras in a hat carrier or wrap in a soft cloth
The BigHeadz Fit Promise
Here's what makes Memorial Day weekend different at BigHeadz:
Fit First: Every hat is designed with deep crowns and XL/XXL sizing (7 7/8–8"). We measure crown depth, not just circumference—because big hair needs room.
Honest Proof: We show shallow vs deep. We tell you if a hat won't fit voluminous styles. No "one size fits most" lies.
Rare Finds, Not Mall Generic: Our hats are curated for the niche mainstream forgot—people with big heads and serious hair.
The Hat Completes Your Fit: Not an afterthought. Not a prop. The crown that finishes your cipher.
Quick Fit Check Before You Buy
1. Measure your head: Use a soft tape measure above your ears, around the widest part of your forehead. 7 7/8" = XL, 8" = XXL.
2. Check crown depth: For locs, afro, or braids, look for 3.5"+ crown depth. Shallow crowns sit ON your hair; deep crowns FIT your head.
3. Test the squeeze: Put it on. If it leaves a red mark or gives you a headache after 20 minutes, it's not for you.
Your Memorial Day Weekend Checklist
✅ Pool party: Oversized sun hat + swimsuit + sandals + sunscreen ✅ Beach day: Wide-brim sun hat + cover-up + tote bag + sunglasses ✅ BBQ hang: Fitted cap or bucket hat + casual fit + good vibes ✅ Evening drinks: Straw fedora + elevated casual outfit + confidence
Ready to Crown Your Weekend?
Explore our full collection of hats for big heads—every style mentioned above is available in XL/XXL sizing with deep crowns for locs, afro, braids, and volume.
Not sure what size you need? Check out our hat sizing guide for measurements and fit tips.
Big hair. Big heads. Big style. Memorial Day weekend is yours for the taking. You're never fully dressed without a crown.
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