I burn the second my skin sees the sun, so I always travel with a cute hat for sun protection. For years I tried stuffing cloches, caps, and straw boaters into my suitcase, only to arrive with bent brims and dented crowns. Wearing hats on the plane solved the packing problem but created new ones: my head got sweaty, the brim made in-flight naps awkward, and it wasn’t a practical everyday solution. Then a friend shared an Instagram story about the Toptote hat clip—and I bought one immediately.
What it is and how it works
The Toptote was invented by stylist-turned-entrepreneur Lindsay Albanese and patented in 2018. It’s basically two parts: a clasp that clips to a bag strap and a hat holder with two powerful magnets. You sandwich the brim between the magnets and let your bag do the carrying. The design is simple, compact (it fits in the palm of your hand), and extremely effective. The magnets are genuinely strong, so the hat stays put while you walk, sit, or navigate crowded places.
Why I love it
Its beauty is in the simplicity. It doesn’t take up space in your luggage, it pairs with almost any bag, and it works with virtually every hat style I own—from floppy beach hats to bucket hats and structured brims. I’ve used it through chaotic airports, busy beaches, and windy mountain trails without losing a hat. After years of travel, I still recommend it to every traveler I know because it fixes a surprisingly persistent packing problem.
Styles and where to buy
Toptote comes in multiple styles and finishes, so you can match it to your bag and aesthetic. I travel with The Drop in black leather with gold hardware because it’s versatile, but there are sleeker and more casual options (The Fray is one I’m eyeing for beach trips). You can find Toptote through several retailers including Amazon, Nordstrom, and the brand’s site.
Durability and real-world wear
I bought The Drop in 2019, and nearly seven years later it still looks nearly new. The leather hasn’t scratched despite plenty of adventures, and the magnets remain powerful. In my experience, hats only come loose if something snags the brim—so the clip is excellent for everyday use but not an anti-theft device. The company is clear that it’s a hat holder, not a hat lock, so a little common sense is still required when you’re in crowded or rough environments.
Other hat-clip options
If you want alternatives, there are several magnetic hat clips from other brands that do the job well: Niveaya’s upgraded magnetic hat clip and Barefoot Caribou’s magnetic hat clip are both solid, affordable options available on major retailers. They’re worth checking out if you want different styles, finishes, or price points.
Bottom line
A hat clip is a tiny, inexpensive accessory that eliminates a repetitive travel annoyance. It keeps hats neat, frees your hands, and lets you carry a sun-safe hat without sacrificing comfort on planes or during long days of sightseeing. If you travel with hats and hate packing or squashing them, get one—you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without it.
