One thing about me: I’m going to burn as soon as my skin sees the sun. Another thing about me? I’m always going to travel with a cute hat to prevent that from happening, because sun safety is very important to me (skin cancer is no joke!).
For so long, I would smush my beloved cloches, caps, and straw boaters into my suitcase when they came on vacation with me, but they would always end up dented or deformed when I arrived at my final destination. At one point, I decided it would be best for my hats (and my tendency to overpack) to wear them on the plane instead, but, sadly, my head would get sweaty, and the brims would hinder me from taking in-flight naps, which I hold very close to my heart. There seemed to be no perfect solution—until I came across an Instagram story from a friend explaining how the Toptote hat clip changed her life. I bought one immediately and have never looked back.
Invented by jet-setting fashion stylist-turned-entrepreneur Lindsay Albanese and patented in 2018, the Toptote features a clasp that attaches to a bag strap on one end, and a hat holder with two high-powered magnets on the other. Stick the brim of your hat between the two magnets, and it gets locked in place (but actually, these magnets are strong), letting your bag do all the heavy lifting so you can go head- and hands-free on the go. It is, in a word, genius. Such a nifty solution to such a common problem, you can’t help but wonder why you didn’t think of it first. I’ve spent years recommending it to every traveler I know—and now you, dear reader.
Why I love it
The beauty of the Toptote lies in its simplicity. It fits in the palm of your hand and doesn’t take up much space—which is the key to any good travel accessory—but it punches well above its weight when it comes to practicality. It’s designed to hold all types of hats, and I’ve seamlessly snapped the magnets around every style of hat you can think of, from beach to bucket and beyond. I’ve traversed with the gadget through chaotic airports, across busy beaches, and up windy mountains, and it has never, ever failed me. I’d go as far as to say it’s as strong and dependable as a sitcom father figure, and has changed the way I pack forever.
There are a few different Toptote styles to choose from, available across a variety of retailers, like Amazon, Nordstrom, and LindsayAlbanese.com. That means you’re sure to find one that looks great with your favorite bag, hat, and overall aesthetic. I always travel with The Drop in black leather with gold hardware, because it goes with everything, but I’ve also got my eye on The Fray for future beach trips.