For years the straw hat was reserved for the beach only - something you toss in your bag along with the sunscreen and the towel. This summer that's changing. The raffia hat has left the sand and moved into the city, and stylists say it's the easiest way to lift an ordinary summer outfit without much effort.

The secret is in the material and the cut. Natural raffia has a warm, neutral color that goes with almost anything - from linen trousers and a simple shirt to a light summer dress. The wide brim isn't just for style: it also carries a practical function in the heat, shielding the face from the sun better than any cream. One piece, two uses.

How do you wear it in the city without looking like you've wandered off the beach? Stylists advise balance - if the hat is big and striking, let the rest be simple: clean lines, neutral colors, minimal jewelry. Let the hat be the main word in the outfit, not just another accessory thrown over the rest.

And why now? Besides being on trend, raffia is also an answer to something more real - summers are getting hotter, and the need for shade isn't a fashion whim but a necessity. The nice part is that this time the useful and the stylish coincide. A raffia hat can be found for pocket change at any market, and it looks pricier than it costs - a rarity in a world where trends usually empty your wallet before they fill your wardrobe.