Despite what you may believe, cowboy hats are quite versatile. Cowboy hats come in a wide variety of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes. Whether you are looking for a practical hat, or a hat for special occasions, you will find something suited for you and your needs. Cowboy hats serve very unique purposes- continue reading to learn about what those are.
Hat Styles
Though different hat shapes and creases are based on personal preference, they also help to determine the possible purpose or lifestyle of the person wearing the hat. Knowing the different styles can help you decide which one is best for you. When browsing through stores, you may think that the cowboy hats all look the same. That is because most are made in 1 specific shape:
Cattleman
Cattleman hats are the most common cowboy hat shape. Found in both straw and felt, they are the most practical of all. They serve any purpose, whether that’s for every day ranch riding or a formal event. With a cattleman hat, you won’t have to decide between fashion and function- it provides a perfect balance of both.
Felt vs Straw
Felt hats are best suited for colder weather. They can be worn in both cold and hot climates, but you will find that they will be more pleasant if they’re worn in the cold.
Felt hats will keep you warm, while providing a very classy look and feel.
Straw hats are best suited for warm weather. Like felt hats, they can be worn in either climate. Straw hats are waterproof, and can be used to help you cool off on a hot summer day.
Colors + Customizations
Cowboy hats are most commonly found in 4 colors: White, tan, chocolate, and black. Though these are the most common, cowboy hats can be custom made in almost any color you’d like. Besides color, cowboy hats can be customized in many ways. This includes creases, hat bands, and other embellishments.
Purposes of a Cowboy Hat
Cowboy hats serve many different purposes, some more surprising than others. To start, cowboy hats can cool you off by doing more than just keeping the sun off of your face.
Watering Hole
Not the watering hole you’re thinking of- cowboy hats can actually be used to drink water from. For centuries, horses have been used for ranch work. On hot summer days, both the horse and its rider needed to stay hydrated. Because straw hats were waterproof, they were perfect for scooping water from a stream to drink from. In 2022, most ranchers will carry water bottles with them. If no water is available for their horse nearby, they can pour water from their water bottle into their hat for their horse to drink out of.
Communication
Cowboy hats can help to communicate what words sometimes can’t. With the tip or the wave of the hat, you can non verbally communicate with the other people around you. Not only with people, but with animals too. Ranchers and farmers wave their hats at animals to guide them to their intended destination. Whether this is with their cattle, horses, or sheep, it is very effective and necessary.
Cowboy Hat Etiquette
Many people believe that above function and looks, etiquette is the most important aspect of wearing a cowboy hat. I would have to agree with this. Cowboy hats, like most clothing items, are meant to be worn – Except for in specific situations.
Meals
In most cases, you should remove your cowboy hat to eat.However, there are exceptions to this. Your cowboy hat should always be removed while sitting for a meal at the table, except for when there is no safe place to lay it. When sitting at a counter (not a table), your hat may stay on. If you are eating while out on the range, your hat should stay on. If it is taken off, you run the risk of your hat getting stepped on or ruined. Your hat should always be removed while dining in a restaurant, but if you’re in a fast food restaurant there’s no need to remove it.
Respect
Cowboys have always been known for being gentlemen. This all starts from what’s in, and on top of, their heads. When being introduced to a woman, or your elder, your hat should be removed to shake their hand. Your hat should be removed when inside someone’s home, unless the majority is wearing theirs. When starting a conversation with someone, your hat should be removed for a short amount of time.
What to do’s & What not to do’s
When placing your hat on your head and removing it, you should do so by the crown. This is the proper way to handle your hat- not just for looks, but to preserve the shape of the hat.
Hats should never be placed face down on the brim, but always laid upside down. Hats are shaped by heat, so they will un-shape in the heat as well. If they are placed on the brim, they will eventually lose their shape.
If there is one thing you remember, never touch or wear another man’s hat. Some people consider this bad luck, but most just consider this disrespectful.
Fun to Know
Wearing a cowboy hat doesn’t have to always be so serious, but there is one thing that you should take into serious consideration…
Cowboy Hat Conspiracy
It is commonly said that you should not set your cowboy hat on a bed. Some people believe that setting your hat on a bed allows bad luck to enter your home. There’s no evidence that this is true, but it’s best to be careful.
Cowboy hats are not just an item of clothing, but a way of life. Wearing one comes with a responsibility to hold yourself to a higher standard. Whether you are actively working on a ranch, or are attending your very first country concert- a cowboy hat is for you! A cowboy hat is for everyone.