A white cowboy hat comes in many sizes. This is a doggone great idea; as you will have noticed, so do folks’ heads. Imagine a pint-sized feller underneath a ten-gallon Stetson and it don’t take much to start you guffawing like an old jackass.
Now, some folks say that a ten-gallon hat was made kinda large so that a guy could water his horse without too many trips to the river. Smart folks say it ain’t so, that gallon comes from the Spanish “tan galan” – “how gallant looking”. Another idea is “galón” – “braid” and refers to the breadth of the brim. Shucks! Who’s caring.
If you want to get the right size of felt cowboy hat the darnedest simplest thing is to set it on your head. If it falls over your ears or perches like a constipated canary on the top of your thatch it ain’t a good fit, pilgrim.
If you live way out on the ranch, and mail order is your kinda thing, a piece of baling twine wrapped round your skull and sent to the store would be functional. But if you are all kinda educated and can use a tape measure that would be real clever, dude.
Hat sizes are measured in inches. A smart feller would avoid feet just in case they send you a pair of cowboy boots instead. Just my little joke, pardner, riding the range on your lonesome can send you plumb loco without a little humor.
Now, your mom might have warned you against becoming a cowboy when you grew up. So when she sees you measuring up for a felt cowboy hat she’ll dump Grampa’s old coonskin cap on your head and send you off to the mountains with a squirrel gun. Stand your ground.
Yup, I know an enraged mom is more frightening than a herd of spooked steers at drinking time. Lie. Say it’s for a party.
Here’s a chart you can print out and stick to the barn door. This way you can get a snug fit for all the family, including the jackass if he’s turning gray and beginning to feel the heat. Later you can use it for shooting practice.
List of Hat Sizes – Felt or Otherwise
U.S. (inches)
Britain (inches)
Europe (cm)
6 3/4
6 5/8
54
6 7/8
6 3/4
55
7
6 7/8
56
7 1/8
7
57
7 1/4
7 1/8
58
7 3/8
7 1/4
59
7 1/2
7 3/8
60
7 5/8
7 1/2
61
8 3/4
7 5/8
62
7 7/8
7 3/4
63
8
7 7/8
64
To take your measurement wrap the string or tape round your head just above your brow. The line where your hat usually rests. This should be done before bath day when the dust line is still visible.
Keep the tape tight but not so’s your circulation stops and you go prematurely bald. This is your head circumference. It has to be thought of as a circle and converted to the hat size which is the diameter. The formula for those of you who ain’t mathematically challenged is D = C/3.14.
If you are rich and own a hat already that fits use it to measure the inside brim. Your pappy’s old “Boss of the Plains” hat that you wear when cleaning the stable, and comes over your ears, is not a good idea. Even if that’s the way he always wore it.
Those of you who have an amigo from Britain and want to send him or her a real hat you can convert the sizes. It might seem that Europeans have different sizes of head but really it’s only the system that differs, I guess.
When you’ve got your hat don’t be forgetting your manners. If you are a gentleman be sure to tip it to a lady or your boss. “Both the same thing?” Yup, I understand.
And here’s an old saying my Grandma used to swear by: “Put your hand quickly to hat and slowly to purse.” I will leave out the actual cuss words.
Gotta head now, got a new white cowboy hat to buy.
This blog is all about the felt cowboy hat – where it came from, how it is made, who wears them, how to wear them, how to clean them, storage, the different styles and where to buy them.
Anything and everything that you want to know about a felt cowboy hat you will find here. There is no other type of headgear on the planet as famous and distinctive as the cowboy’s favorite head covering.
Rounding up cattle was a tough business in the Old West and it spawned a strong breed of men and their redoubtable ladies. Together they fashioned a lifestyle and evolved a mode of dress that suited the climate and conditions they faced daily. Old photos from pioneering days show the “Boss of the Plains” hat, invented by John B. Stetson, battered and worn but proudly sported by hard bitten travellers.
This painting by C.M.Russell shows the cowboys with their “Boss of the Plains” felt hats roping a steer.
Efficient people find the best way of doing things and the tools to help them. The felt cowboy hat can be thought of as a working tool for the rancher enabling him to carry on his tasks in all weathers. It also looks really smart for dress occasions and the ladies have their own versions that enhance their health, good looks and charm. The success of the Stetson felt hat was due not just to its hard wearing practicality but also because it had style. If folks look good they feel good.
People all round the world learned about the cowboys of the American West through films and books. A distinctive dress, language and code of conduct brought this “knight of the plains” into the awareness of countless millions of fans. The black hat worn by the bad guy or the white hat by the good guy made identification easy in the day of the old black and white silent movies. Nowadays, you can also get a pink cowboy hat for those who like to look pretty or stand out in a crowd.
Hats of all sorts need looking after and the cowboy hat is no exception. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help your favorite headgear to last a long time and remain looking good. For travel purposes a hat can is a way of protecting your best dress hat.
This felt cowboy hat is celebrated and cherished by all those who love the Old West and its modern equivalent. It is a proud symbol of an able people who faced the toughest odds and survived to walk tall and ride high.
Cowboy verse has always been popular though not as well known as Country and Western music. They are both inspired by the same source: the lives and times of the great cowboy era in the 19th century and its later developments.
On his head is a ‘Boss of the Plains’ In his hands lies his old horse’s reins. Though his vision is blurred, He’s booted and spurred, And still has the West in his veins!
A good cowgirl roper and rider Was afraid of the sight of a spider. She’d wrestle a bear, And do any dare, But a hairy big insect would hide her.
This saying uses a play on words with “a head” and “ahead”. The wisdom we can take from it is the advice to smarten your appearance and project your personality with the style of hat that you wear. Cowboy hats come in many materials, styles and colors. You need to pick the one that tells people who you are or want to be. Be realistic only John Wayne could be John Wayne. If in doubt ask a candid friend.
I’ll eat my hat
This oath is usually not meant seriously but in the days when many hats were made from leather, and starvation a possibility, eating your hat could stave off hunger, and perhaps provide a little nourishment to keep you alive. The thought of eating a woolen hat doesn’t bear thinking about.
As mad as a hatter
At a time when mercury was used to treat hats the effect of the fumes was literally to make people suffer trembling and seem unstable and appear to go mad so this saying was once very relevant. Perhaps they even had a go at eating their hats, poor souls.
Keep it under your hat
This means keep something you have been told to yourself; it is for your ears only.
A good head will get itself hats.
If a hat is a badge of office or sign of success then someone with a good head, a clever person, will get that hat. Hats often tell us a lot about their wearer such as their rank in the military or social position. Cowboy hats can be worn by anyone but the more expensive brands will indicate that the owner is doing well.
To go cap in hand
Doffing your cap or raising your hat is a way of showing respect. Gentlemen raise their hats to ladies and this is said to come from olden times when knights in armor would raise their visors so that the ladies would not be intimidated by them.
The classic concept of a cowboy is a man of gentlemanly character who respects ladies and will raise his Stetson in polite salute.
The expression “to go cap in hand” is mostly to indicate that the person has to show humbleness to whoever they are dealing with.
To set one’s cap at
This is used of a girl who hopes to win the affections of someone she fancies. Putting on an attractive bonnet to catch a man’s eye was a good tactic in the 18th century when ladies wore long heavy dresses. Their white linen or muslin caps needed to be tied in place with ribbon and could be set at a jaunty angle.
A pretty, pink, cowboy hat might be used to this effect today by a cute girl who hopes to make an impression, especially if the crowning glory of her hair blends harmoniously.
To get a feather in your cap
In Native American society to be awarded an eagle feather was a recognition of a brave deed. Many old pictures of braves wearing “Boss of the Plains” Stetsons have a feather in the hat band. Scottish Highland Chiefs are entitled to wear an eagle feather in their bonnets.
Under your felt cowboy hat you have a head and that head needs information. Here is a list or glossary of terms and slang used in the Old West.
Apache – one of a warlike Indian tribe famous for travelling light. He was more interested in your scalp than your hat.
Bandana – neckerchief worn round the cowboy’s neck, handy to slip up as a dust filter. Makes your cowboy hat look even better.
Bowie knife – type of knife designed by Jim Bowie later of Alamo fame. He preferred a coon-skin cap.
Bronco – a wild horse often referred to as a “bucking bronco”. You need stampede strings if you want to break one.
Chuck – the grub or food cowboys ate on the trail. Carry your grub away in your hat.
Chuck Wagon – the wagon carrying the grub that accompanied the cattle drove. Wave your hat to stop cookie.
Cutting out – separating calves to be roped and branded.
Dogie – a motherless calf.
Buffalo – bison that roamed the open range and provided food for Indians. The fur can be used to make the felt for your cowboy hat.
Calaboose – the jailhouse. Remove your hat and don’t upset the sheriff.
Colt 45 – six-shot revolver also known as the Peacemaker, with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. This would blow your head off as well as your Stetson.
Deputy – sheriff’s assistant. His hat would not be as fancy as his boss’s.
Derringer – a type of single-shot pistol favored by professional gambles. Gamblers preferred very stylish hats.
Drawl – slow spoken speech typical of a cowboy. Sounds better coming from under a “Boss of the plains” hat.
Dry gulch – to ambush someone. A broad-brimmed hat shaded the sun and made aiming a gun easier.
Greenhorn – a novice. Probably had fancy hat or bonnet that didn’t suit western conditions.
Holster – leather side pouch to carry a six-gun. A gun and a hat and you are half way to being a cowboy.
Honky-tonk – a saloon in the Old West that provided entertainment usually a piano. Remember to raise your hat to the ladies even if they aren’t very lady-like.
Jangle – noise made by spurs as a cowboy walks. From hat to spurs a cowboy is all man.
Lariat – a rope, from Spanish.
Lasso – to rope, usually a cow or horse.
Marshall – the oldest federal law enforcement office in the U.S. authorized to swear in a posse to assist them in manhunts and other duties. A high crown cowboy hat makes someone look taller and more imposing and this is important to lawmen.
Maverick – an ownerless cow; a wayward person. A black hat baddie.
Muley – a hornless cow. At least it cant gore your head-wear.
Longhorn – a type of cattle with long sweeping horns. Now, it can gore your hat.
Medicine man An Indian shaman or practitioner of Native American medicine. He prefers a feather in his cap.
Packing – carrying a gun as in packing a six-shooter. Packing a hat is different.
Panning – searching for gold with a flat, shallow pan in a stream. Your hat is no good, it would get soggy.
Pommel – projection from front of western saddle with a “horn” to anchor the rope when lassoing cattle. Handy for hanging your Stetson on.
Posse – group of men led by a Marshall in a manhunt. They all wore hats.
Powwow – An Indian name for a discussion or council.
Range – to ride the range, go on horseback across the open prairie. Wind, rain, snow – the broad-brimmed cowboy hat protected the rider.
Renegade – turncoat or traitor, an Indian who has left his tribe. Sometimes Indians wore cowboy hats often with a feather in them.
Rodeo – a sporting event involving horses and cattle to test the skill and speed of cowboys. Without stampede strings your hat wouldn’t stay on.
Roundup - driving all the cattle on a ranch together to tally their numbers. A simple way of keeping a tally is to drop a pebble in a hat as each beast passes.
Rustler – cattle thief often hung when caught. He would probably steal your hat too. Rye whiskey – a type of spirit distilled from rye grain. Too much of this and you would be likely to loose your mind as well as your hat.
Saddle up – to put a saddle on a horse.
Scalp – to remove the hair and scalp with a knife as a trophy. If you survived you would need a hat permanently.
Sheriff – county law enforcement agent. Always wore a really impressive Stetson.
Shindig - a dance or disturbance. People’s hats flying everywhere.
Shindy – a disturbance or fight
Sidekick – friend or companion who accompanied you especially on horseback.
Six-gun – a six shot revolver
Six-shooter – another name for a six-gun. Fills your hat full of lead.
Spurs – device worn on cowboy boots to prick the horses flank to urge it on. Accelerate too quickly and your hat will fly off.
Squaw – a female Indian. Looks really pretty in a good western hat.
Steamboat – A steam powered paddle boat found on rivers like the Mississippi. The captain would likely prefer a peaked cap.
Steer – castrated bull raised for beef.
Stetson – the broad-brimmed felt cowboy hat designed by John B. Stetson.
Teepee – Conical tent used by Indians made from skins and poles. Nowhere to hang your hat!
Tin-horn – a petty braggart, usually applied to a gambler. Probably has a hat far too big and fancy for practical use.
Vaquero – Mexican Spanish for cowboy. He will wear an ornate sombrero.
Winchester – lever-action rifle manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company known as “The Gun that Won the West”. Some say it was the Stetson felt cowboy hat that won it.
What is a cowboy hat? A hat worn by Americans who herded cattle. The original cowboy hat was the one designed by John B. Stetson. It had a high crown, broad brim, head band and a sweat band with internal lining. Before this cowboys wore whatever type of hat they could get. Many were immigrants who wore the traditional head wear of their counties of origin.
What are the advantages of a cowboy hat? They keep the head warm and dry in winter and the rain and snow out of your eyes. In summer the broad brim shades the eyes from the sun. They also look cool and are good for having a snooze under.
What kind of cowboy hat did John Wayne wear in “Who Shot Liberty Valance”? The high crown hat looks like a “Boss of the Plains” hat by Stetson. His hat size is said to have been 7 1/4 + 7 3/8
Where can I buy a cowboy hat? There are many hat stores that stock traditional cowboy hats in a great number of styles. AA Callister is well known. Amazon and Ebay sell them.
Who wears a Cowboy hat? American cattlemen still wear them but many US citizens like to have one for its practical benefits as well as style. It is also an icon of America recognized worldwide. Most kids have worn one for play.
Should I buy a white or black felt cowboy hat? Dark hats don’t show the dirt as much. White hats have a more summery look.
Which cowboy hat should you wear? There are many different styles of cowboy hat: the Stetson, cattleman, Fedora, sombrero, and in materials like felt, straw, leather, and modern stuff.
How to Make a Cowboy Hat with Paper? Use the above method for a paper cowboy hat.
How do you wear a cowboy hat? Setting your cowboy hat on your head at just the right angle can project your personality. Straight, angled or tilted way back, you’ll find some tips here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4493985_wear-cowboy-hat-properly.html
How to clean a felt cowboy hat? A soft-bristle brush, a sponge and rough toweling are recommended for cleaning a cowboy hat.
Where can I get a cowboy hat? Most good hat stores or do a Google search for online purchase.
What Is an Australian Cowboy Hat? An Australian cowboy hat or “Outback hat” is shaped like a slouch hat with corks dangling around the brim on the end of 1- to 2-inch-long cords. Made from straw, canvas or more expensive leather.
What kind of hat did Zorro wear? The hat that Zorro wore is called a “Spanish Gaucho Hat”.
What kind of hat did Indian Jones wear? This type is called a “Fedora”.
Where is the store where people can hang up their old cowboy hats? Jill Martin’s Ben’s Western Wear Store in Cotulla. Over 500 hats once belonging to working cowboys and prominent people can be seen with their stories. Plus a long poem by Dan Cadden hangs on display. Where can I see a picture of a cowboy hat carrying case? A great looking hat and its case can be seen at thislink: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jo-an-torres/5012313412/
Is there a cowboy hat etiquette? This article can give you some info on how to behave when wearing a Stetson, Boss of the plains, Cattleman or any other typeof cowboy hat. AJBurnett Jersey – http://thera.ilikehandbag.com/
Which state is the “cowboy state”? Wyoming in the Western United States is known as “The Cowboy State”. It is part of a prairie region known as the “High Plains”. This is a great video by Chris Ledoux about how much a cowboy hat can mean to someone.
It conveys the message that a possession can have a great deal of sentimental value to its owner.
Why are cowboy hats called 10 or 7 gallon hats?
Some say a ten-gallon hat was made large so that a rider could water his horse quickly. Others think it is from the Spanish “tan galán” interpreted as “how gallant (looking)”. Another idea is “galón” meaning “braid” that refers to the breadth of the brim.
Where in my city can I buy a cheap, used cowboy hat?
Not the number of times you’ve been kissed. It is a quality rating. The higher the X’s the better but standards vary. A bit like kissing, really.
Do people make fun of you for wearing western hats?
Boorish people will always find an excuse to mock. Some people are only teasing and might be jealous. Refer them to Chris Ledoux’s song: This cowboy Hat. (Video on this page).
Why Do Mexican Men Wear Cowboy hats and Boots?
Many Western customs and dress came from the original vaquero cowboys.
Why do country singers wear cowboy hats?
The type of song sung by country singers originates from the songs and poems told by real cattlemen round their camp fires at night. The cowboy hat has become an icon.
How do you keep a cowboy hat on when riding?
Holding it with one hand is inefficent so someone invented Stampede strings
What does country style look like?
Cowboy hat, boots, blue jeans and a plaid shirt will do for most folk.
What kid of cowgirl hairstyle should I wear?
Cowboy hats suit braids, pigtails, pony tail.
Are sombreros worn only by Mexican people?
The hotter the conditions the broader the brim people prefer so in Mexico the large sombrero developed to suit the conditions.
What makes you a cowboy or cowgirl?
Real cowboys or cowgirls work cattle on a ranch. Then there are the cowboys of book, song, poem and film who captured the popular imagination world wide. Anyone can dress up as a cowboy or cowgirl for a party.
How you set the angle of the hat on your head helps to project something of your personality. The most criticized position is bashed and stuck carelessly on the back of the skull like some kid out of “Tom Sawyer”. The most glamorous position is a tilted angle partly shading the eyes and creating a touch of mystery. Its fun to try out different angles to find the style you think best suits you. Ask reliable friends for a reaction.
What is the proper way to stretch a cowboy hat?
If you would like to make your own hat stretcher there is an article to read up on it here.
“A well-fitting hat is an ideal accent to any suit of clothes. But sometimes the perfect hat doesn’t quite fit and needs to be stretched. Finding the right-sized hat stretcher can be difficult. Make your own hat stretcher and you can stretch your hats to exactly your size.”
Soft-bristle brush for dust. Damp sponge or toweling for mud. When and where was Angels Cowboy Hats founded? In 2006 Angels Cowboy Hats was founded and is located in Molalla, Or. More about Angels Cowboy Hats on this Website. http://www.angelscowboyhats.com/shipping_info
Are Girls Attracted To Boys Wearing Cowboy Hats? Cowboys have a manly image and are an important part of American history. The Wild West films built a positive image for cattle ranchers and the hardy men who worked the cattle. Guys look good in jeans and a Stetson hat and country singers have adopted this style. Girls like this.
In which state are cowboy hats and belt buckles most common? Probably Texas, it is a big state with a history of cattle ranching.
What can be done with old Cowboy hats? Felt or straw hats can be recycled into compost as they are of animal origin. They can also serve as flower pots. Some folks like to turn them into art objects with paint. If still in good condition a thrift shop might appreciate them.
Are today’s US cavalry officers allowed to wear the old “John Wayne” type of cowboy hat? It is not authorized equipment but many officers have been known to wear one in the field or on informal occasions.
What is the meaning of white cowboy hats on dashboards? Not sure but perhaps drivers want to convey their identification with the cowboy image.
What are Cowboy hats with a flat brim called? “Boss of the Plains” was the original style of felt cowboy hat with a plain brim.
What are some hair ideas for cowboy hats? Pony tail, pig tails, braided are favored ny many cowgirls.
Why should I wear a cowboy hat? The practical reasons are: protection from sun, rain and snow. People aso wear them as part of an image to identify with their heroes of the Old West or the cattle-owning community. It is also a symbol of America, and you will look good in one.
What to look for in cowboy hats? A style and material that suits you. There are many styles so you need to consider your head size, height, build, coloring, and personality. Felt is good in winter, and straw is light and airy in the summer heat.
Should you wear a bandana with cowboy hats? It is not considered all that cool to wear a bandana with a cowboy hat these days. The bandana or neckerchief was useful to stop sunburn and act as a dust mask for the original Old West cowboys. It came in handy if you were robbing a bank!
What is a Montana Peak cowboy hat? It refers to the crown of a hat creased to make it look like a mountain top.
How can I find out about the different types of cowboy hat? Everything you would like to find out about hats of the Old West with many illustrations can be found here: http://www.curtrich.com/hats2.html
Why do cowboy hats have their sides turned up? The brim of a cowboy hat can be rolled in various styles to enhance apperance. The original roll developed by simply being handled a lot by the wearer.
Where do people still wear cowboy hats? Real working cowboys in all the cattle ranching areas – Texas, North Dakota, Montana etc still wear them. People all over the U.S. and many parts of the world also wear them for work or social events.
Do Cowboys always wear Cowboy Boots? Not necessarily but many do, the high heel grips the stirrups and it is useful to have the leg protection.
What does a typical Cowboy wear? The classic cowboy outfit consists of: a felt Stetson cowboy hat; bandana or neckerchief; button up shirt, possibly plaid; jeans with leather belt and metal buckle; (the belt might contain cartridges and have a holster for a six-gun); a pair of leather chaps to protect his legs from brush injury, derived from Spanish chaparro – low thicket.
Who sang dancing in a sea of cowboy hats? The lovely Chely Wright.
What is a “never flop” cowboy hat? With age the flat brim of a felt cowboy hat would weaken and “flop” and so it would not keep off the sun and rain. To counteract this the wearers would sow leather strips through the edges of the brim to stiffen it. Manufacturers used the term “Never Flop” as a brand name.
When to wear a felt or straw cowboy hat?
There is a convention to wear a felt hat from the first of Labor Day to the first of May and a straw hat from Easter to Halloween.
How do I add a cowboy hat to a picture of myself?
Get a photo of someone wearing a cowboy hat similar in size to your picture. Use Photo shop or similar freehand tool to cut out the hat and copy and paste it onto your photo.
Can I clean and restyle a white paper straw cowboy hat?
Boil a kettle and carefully steam the hat, wiping the soiled areas with a clean white cloth. Don’t overdo it, remember steam burns your hands!
Do women in cowboy hats take them off in conversation?
No, women can keep their hats on at any time unless impractical.
Is there an USPS Box to fit a cowboy hat?
Nope, the largest USPS Priority Mail large flat rate box is 12″ by 12″ by 5 1/2″.
How do I store a compressed straw cowboy hat?
Put it in a plastic bag and store somewhere cool and dry to avoid mildew and rodents.
How do you age a new straw cowboy hat?
Paint it with a brew of tea and wear till dry.
Are there rules for a Cowboy Hat when eating out?
Remove it on entering the restaurant and use a coat tree if available. Placing it on a nearby seat is OK or ask the staff.
In the video below, David Morgan shows you how to look after your top notch fur felt hat. Storage, cleaning, removing transit damage and drying are covered. If you own or intend to buy a top notch cowboy hat then this is a must see video.
David carefully explains how to store the hat on a hat stretcher so that it can dry and prevent shrinkage. He has tips on how to place your hat on a flat surface to maintain the shape.
New hats can have scuff marks and David shows how these can be removed so that your precious new possession will look its absolute best. When you have spent a lot of money on your new hat it is worthwhile spending some time on learning how to keep it looking at its very best.
The use of a soft-bristle brush to clean dust from your hat is clearly demonstrated. Counter clockwise strokes are used as the hat is “pounced” during manufacture and the nap, or lie of the fibers, run that way. When a hat is dusty rain can cause spotting.
Definitions
Nap is the raised (fuzzy) surface on certain kinds of cloth, such as velvet. Nap can refer additionally to other surfaces that look like the surface of a napped cloth, such as the surface of a felt or beaver hat.
Starting around the 14th century, the word referred originally to the roughness of woven cloth before it was sheared.[1][2] When cloth, especially woolen cloth, is woven, the surface of the cloth is not smooth, and this roughness is the nap. Generally the cloth is then ‘sheared’ to create an even surface, and the nap is thus removed.
A brush that is too hard can damage your hat. Light colored brush for a light colored hat and dark for a dark one is recommended. A sponge or toweling is also used.
Hat Stretcher
A device for increasing the size of a hat by mechanical force. If you would like to make your own hat stretcher there is an article to read up on it here.
“A well-fitting hat is an ideal accent to any suit of clothes. But sometimes the perfect hat doesn’t quite fit and needs to be stretched. Finding the right-sized hat stretcher can be difficult. Make your own hat stretcher and you can stretch your hats to exactly your size.”
You can see an animation of a hat stretching device at this URL.
“The Patey Hat Jack is a versatile piece of equipment. It will lend itself to almost any hat such as panama, trilby, tweed cap, bowler, hunt cap, top hat, leather hats, cowboy type hats”
Cowboy hats come in a wide variety of materials such as straw, felt, leather and foam. The traditionally most popular hat colors are white or black as in the old movies. It made it easy to know who was a good guy or a bad guy. Today you can get cowboy hats in all sorts of colors.
Cowboy hats for parties are very popular and cheap disposable ones are very convenient especially if things get a bit rowdie and there are a few accidents. There are a wide variety of colors. Foam hats are light and good for parties with multicolors available. You can measure your hat size from a simple table
As a fashion statement choosing the right color of hat to suit your complexion and style can be very effective. Straw hats are light and airy and provide good protection from the sun but not so good in a downpour. A felt hat is more durable but must be looked after carefully as it attracts dirt and is difficult to keep clean. That might be a good reason to choose black! It is best to hold and adjust the hat by the brim to help keep the shape.
A leather hat is very tough and could last a lifetime. The old timers lost in the desert could also eat them when starving! So the expression “I’ll eat my hat” might have a grain of truth in it.
The original “Boss of the plains” hat by John B. Stetson was available in brown beaver fur felt with its natural color and not the most flattering to the female face but served a practical purpose. It is in hats for women that color really helps so that you can find a shade to match your outfit. Calamity Jane might have been content with borrowing one from a brother but girls today are spoiled for choice.
What cowboy hat style sells best ? The flexible lightweight distressed raffia straws with shape-able brims are the most popular.
A color for your complexion Johannes Itten of Germany noticed that your color is related to the four seasons. He divided women into spring, summer, autumn and winter types, and recommended color matching to suit.
Have you ever wondered what stamped strings are and why you ought to care? Afelt cowboy hat should fit snugly on the head and feel comfortable and not dislodge when you move around. Where windy conditions can be expected to annoy the heck out of you a tighter fit could be advisable but not if it is too uncomfortable. An overly tight hat can cause headaches as it cuts the circulation.
The original Stetson cowboy hats were used by ranchers who often had to ride at top speed if the cattle had spooked and stampeded. The image of a horse rider at full gallop with his broad brimmed hat catching the wind like a sail is easy to imagine. A hat was an expensive cherished piece of headgear. They might have been tough but once on the ground and trodden on by a horse or cow that was that for the hat.
The practical solution was “stampede strings” cords to hold the hat in place. The strings are usually made from woven horse-hair or braided leather. There are two main styles. The looped-style stampede string needs a pair of grommets or awl holes on either side of the crown to allow the strings to be slipped through and then looped around the crown. When you have decided on the correct position, just behind your ears, remove the hat and carefully push the awl up through the felt close to the band to make a small hole. The end loop is slid tightly through and fixed. Same on the other side so they hang down either side of the face about the ears to near the waist. A slip knot or toggle tightens them and holds the hat fast in the wind. The cotter pin stampede string slips in to the side of the sweat band and is held behind it.
A very practical purpose brought about the stamped strings but nowadays they can also be seen as a fashion accessory. Some are very ornate with fancy tassels.
They are also useful when riding through overhanging scrub and branches but be careful the hat doesn’t catch and the strings tighten around your neck. You don’t want to be responsible for your own lynching. They can also stop frisky friends or enemies from knocking your prized felt cowboy hat off for a laugh. Not a wise thing to do if they want to remain healthy!
A feltcowboy hat can last a long time if it is treated carefully and cleaned regularly but what do you do with it when its days of rodeo riding, cow-punching or looking cool at the local shindig are well and truly over? Throw it in the trash can? Spin it out the window? Feed it to the hogs?
Well, these are alternatives to the sensible option of recycling. A felt hat is made of, you guessed it, felt, and what is felt made from? Animal fur. Beaver, rabbit, chinchilla, wool, buffalo all once ran wild and free in some green pasture and are totally organic. The fibers were gathered, pounded, steamed and rolled then shrunk to make an ideal, strong, light material for hats. The whole purpose of recycling is to return stuff to Nature where it came from.
Felt is organic so it will rot down on a compost heap and go back to its basic mulch state of molecules and minerals that can feed a sturdy new plant. That plant can be eaten by a beaver, rabbit or buffalo and become part of its fur. That fur can be gathered and turned into felt. So your old felt cowboy hat can have a new life over and over again. Kinda grabs the heart don’t it?
If you want to use the compost from your redundant felt cowboy hat for food production it would be wise to consider the dye or other chemicals that might have been used on it, and whether it getting into your food chain is a good thing or not. Dyes can be harmful if swallowed. The manufacturer might be able to advise you here.
Another way to recycle is to consider what other purpose you could put a hat to. Some folks with a quirky sense of style will fill the crown with compost and grow flowers, something like a hanging basket. Others use them to scare the crows. With a bit of modification a Halloween costume might give a redundant old hat a new purpose.
Cutting the hat up into shapes makes for fun projects for kids. You can make flower and animal outlines to add decorative touches wherever needed. Sew or glue on. A glue gun can be a very handy tool if you use a lot of small fiddly bits of felt but be wary if kids are around.
Whatever you decide, I’m sure you can’t wait to buy another stylish, felt, cowboy hat and begin the whole cycle all over again.
This lady from the Old West looks really cool in her broad brimmed bonnet.
