Abstract: Protective ear shades for headwear such as caps, which shades include a pair of cupped or oblate shades extending from stitched or sewn attachment to the sides of the cap over the ears to protect the ears from ultraviolet radiation. In a preferred embodiment the protective ear shades curve from the headband or side margin of the cap upwardly and outwardly in a cupped configuration toward the crown and then downwardly and forwardly to the bill of the cap. In another preferred embodiment of the invention one or more stiffeners or reinforcements are provided in the ear shades to maintain the shades in the desired protruding, cupped and oblate configuration over the ears.