Wearing a hat on the beach is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays, while maintaining an effortless Hollywood glamour. But how do you pack a hat without crushing it?
How do you pack a hat? If the hat fits into your suitcase without having to bend it in unnatural ways, it can travel without getting crushed. Place the hat upside down at the top of your suitcase. Roll up small clothing items like tees, scarfs, undies and socks and place them in the crown and under the brim to support it. Pack larger items like pants and shoes at the bottom of the suitcase, away from the hat. It looks like it takes up a lot of space, but it's just a thin, if oddly shaped layer, so everything should still fit around it.
What if it's too big for a suitcase? Put it in a large shopping bag and bring that as your carry on item. You'll still need to pad it so it doesn't get crushed in overhead storage, try a jacket or other clothing items. If you're only allowed one carry on item, put your purse in the shopping bag with the hat till you've boarded.
If all else fails, wear the hat on the plane. In recent years, planes have become the domain of sweats and yoga pants, but there's no reason you can't travel in style. And rumor has it, looking well put together and being polite is the best way to secure a first class upgrade.