My mum needs a hat for 'everyday'.

[minko]

The doctor says she needs to protect her skin from the sun at all times because of some meds she's on.

She is 74 and not very trendy. Any ideas?? Just to complicate things she has a very big head so would need to be a size XL.

Style ideas would be a good start though...

OK. I have a large head and wear hots frequently (Fair skinned Celt grownup in the burning NZ sun). I get most of mine from markets and stalls. Go for something softish, but not floppy. Hats that are firm and stiff are hard to keep on your head and have a tendency to slip off or be blown off in the slightest breeze. The other advantage of soft hats is they have a bit of stretch which can help with the fitting it on a large head problem.

Something like this is the sort of shape you are looking for, but you may find this one too stiff, you will have to check.

this may do the trick. you need enough a=of a brim to keep the sun off, but not so much that you can't see anything or it gets caught by the wind.

this is a good stop gap in that it can be folded up and shoved in a bag/pocket and is cheap enough not to worry about if lost. It's also the standard shape you see on all the old ladies at bowling greens in NZ and Oz. See here for ones designed to keep the harsh Australian sun off.

Oops, last link got lost here

the M&S site has quite a few hats (via Accessories). Some would look cute in a Miss Marple way (that I quite like!), plus berets that would be warm for winter. A good site to start with.