The Real History of the Cowboy Hat – A Quick Look

Cowboy hats are the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cowboys.  

But did you know that the first cowboy hat was invented only in 1865? Before that, cowboys wore bowlers, top hats, and other head coverings. 

So how did these hats become a fundamental part of the cowboy attire?

If you are a hat lover, you must know the gripping history of these distinct hats.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the history of cowboy hats. 

Keep reading to discover this timeless hat’s complete history and evolution.

1. What is a cowboy hat?

A cowboy hat is now a distinct part of cowboy attire. These hats are very popular among Western ranchers and hat enthusiasts.

The main features of a cowboy hat are its curved brims and the high pinched crown. Cowboy hats are usually made with either felt or straw. However, some hat makers use leather as well. 

There is a hatband at the base of the crown, made with fabric, a cord, or a ribbon. The hatband sometimes features feathers, buckles, and other items.

Cowboy hats also have a sweatband on the inner side. The sweatband reduces perspiration damage and improves the fit.

2. Why the cowboy hat? 

The inventor of cowboy hats created them for their functionality. Ranchers worked in extreme heat during the day and chilling cold at night. They needed a hat to protect them from sun, rain, and cold. 

Also, the hard-working lifestyle of cowboys meant that the hat had to be durable and low maintenance.

The first designer of the cowboy hat had all these requirements on his mind when he created the prototype. And indeed, the hats became very famous.

3. History of the cowboy hat 

In 1865 John B. Stetson designed the very first cowboy hat.

Interestingly, Stetson was not a cowboy and grew up in New Jersey. During the gold rush years, he traveled to Colorado for mining. Stetson got to work with miners from all over the country, including ranchers. He soon realized that the ranchers wore hats of inferior quality. The hat materials were flimsy and easily damaged. 

Stetson decided to design the perfect hat for ranchers. He moved to Philadelphia, opened a hat company, and started designing unique hats, especially for hard-working ranchers.

In 1865, Stetson released the first cowboy hat. Stetson made this hat with felt from the fine fur of animals like beavers and rabbits. Stetson named this hat the “Boss of the Plains.” The name meant that cowboys would feel like a boss while wearing the hat. 

 “Boss of the Plains” became an instant hit among Westerners. The hat was completely waterproof, thanks to the felt. It was also weather-proof and protected the hard-working ranchers from the sun, rain, and other elements. 

“Boss of the Plains” was quite different from the cowboy hats we see today. The brim was flat rather than curved, and the crown didn’t have distinct pinch marks. The original hats also had a chin strap, lining, and a sweatband to differentiate the front and back. The first “Boss of the Plains” hats came in simple colors like brown, grey, white or black. 

It didn’t take long for the cowboy hats to take off. These hats were durable, adaptable, and ultimately served their purpose for the Western ranchers.

However, the hats underwent some natural changes once exposed to the rain and sun. The felt softened over years of use, and the brims curved upwards. Sometimes cowboys turned the brims up, so they were out of the way of swinging ropes. 

The crown also changed over time. Most cowboys removed the hats by pinching them from the crown. Old hats bore distinct pinch marks.

The curved brim and pinched crown soon became known as the signs of a well-worn cowboy hat. Stetson then decided to incorporate these characteristics into his subsequent designs. This way, cowboys didn’t have to wait until their molded into the perfect shape. Newly designed cowboy hats were even more trendy, and Stetson hats became one of the best-established hat makers in the USA.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Wild West films gained a lot of attention; unsurprisingly, all the actors in these movies wore Stetson’s cowboy hats. The heroes wore white hats while the bad guys wore black hats. These movies made cowboy hats well-known throughout the country; soon, everyone wanted a cowboy hat.

By 1915, Stetson was the biggest hat manufacturer worldwide. Even today, Stetson is a renowned hat manufacturer, and their cowboy hats are still have high demand. The highest quality cowboy hats from Stetson now sell for as much as 5000 USD. 

Other hat manufacturers like Resistol also became prominent for their cowboy hat production. 

4. Who invented the cowboy hat?

The inventor of the cowboy hat was John B. Stetson from Philadelphia, USA.

Stetson invented the “Boss of the Plains” in 1865, the first cowboy hat. Stetson is also credited with expanding the cowboy hat industry and promoting his hats among celebrities. His methods made cowboy hats reach beyond cowboys and enter the fashion market.

5. # notable facts about the history of the cowboy hat

Cowboy hats indeed have a fascinating history. Here are some noteworthy facts from the history of cowboy hats.

• Stetson started his hat empire from just 60 USD, which he borrowed from his sister. He used this money to hire a workshop in Philadelphia and pay a couple of workers and start working on the first hat.

• Traditional cowboys used their hats for much more than shielding from harsh weather. They used their hats to gather water from creeks, fan fires at night, and signal to other cowboys and ranch workers.

• The type of creases and bends on the brim and crown showed the wearer’s individuality. Cowboys from different states in the USA took their spin on the cowboy hat. They curved the brim or gave extra creases to the crown. Soon by looking at the hat, you could determine the wearer’s origin.

• “Boss of the Plains” and the subsequent hats didn’t come cheap. Even in the 1800s, the price of cowboy hats was somewhat high. But the durability of the hats made up for their price, and most people were willing to invest in a long-lasting hat.

• Before cowboy hats were popular, cowboys preferred bowler hats, but they didn’t offer as much sun protection as the cowboy hats, but they were readily available and affordable.

• The Wild West movies contributed a lot to the popularity of the cowboy hats. Stetson relied on celebrities like John Wayne and Bob Dylan to boost his hat sales, which worked. The Indiana Jones movie in 1984 gave cowboy hats newfound popularity. Stetson took the opportunity to release a licensed hat, and the hat sales saw a rapid boost.

• The cowboy hats were initially made for men working on ranches, but today they are also prevalent among women.

6. What materials are used to make the cowboy hat? 

Initially, hat makers used felt or straw to create cowboy hats. Some manufacturers used leather as well.

Stetson made the very first cowboy hats with felt. Felt is very durable and does well in harsh conditions. Felt hats were excellent for all seasons.

Later on, straw cowboy hats also became prominent. Straw hats are lightweight and shield the wearer from the sun. They are also much cheaper than their felt counterparts. However, straw hats are not as durable as felt hats. Straw hats do well in sunny weather but don’t work well in cold climates or withstand rain and snow. 

Soon ranchers began using straw hats for summer and felt hats for winter. 

Now there are cowboy hats made with almost any fabric. You can buy hats with cotton, polyester, and even mixed fabrics.

7. Is the cowboy hat still used?

Yes, the cowboy hat is one of those hats that never went out of fashion. There are very few cowboys today, but the hats are now popular among everyone. 

Cowboy hats have now become a fashion icon among both men and women. They are seen among tourists trying to get a feel of the cowboy life and anyone interested in wearing good-looking hats.

Cowboy hats are versatile; you can see people pair cowboy hats with jeans, boots, and sometimes even dresses. 

 

Final Thoughts

Cowboy hats managed to stay relevant well into the 21st century. These hats proved that they could withstand the test of time. They are popular, fashionable, and in high demand, even more than a century after Stetson first introduced them.

Today’s cowboy hats are very similar to the original designs by Stetson. They still sport the curved brims and dented crowns and are mostly made with felt or straw. However, now it’s not just cowboys who wear these hats.

It’s safe to say that cowboy hats are here to stay, and now’s the time you get one for yourself.

Whether you are planning a hard day out in the sun or getting ready for a special occasion, you’ll always find a reason to wear your cowboy hat.