What is a Cowboy Hat (headwear) – 15 Things You Should Know

Cowboy hats have been around for quite a long time, and they don’t seem to be going out of style soon. They just seem to be getting more popular by the day.

The iconic cowboy hat was a non-negotiable part of the traditional cowboy attire, but today it’s not just ranchers that wear them.

These distinct hats are now popular among real cowboys, celebrities, and hat enthusiasts alike.

Here’s all you need to know about cowboy hats.

1. What is a cowboy hat?

A cowboy hat is a hat with a soft, high crown and a wide curved brim. Cowboy hats have a sweatband on the inside of the hat that stabilizes the fit. There is also a hatband on the crown of the hat.

These unique hats are soon became a part of the attire of the North American cowboys. 

2. Other names for a cowboy hat

Cowboy hats are also called ten-gallon hats and Calgary white hats. 

There are a few theories on why cowboy hats were called ten-gallon hats. These hats certainly don’t hold ten gallons of water.

Some say that the name ten-gallon hat came from the Spanish word “galon,” a type of braid on a hat’s crown. Cowboys from Texas heard “galon” as “gallon,” and the name became popular. 

The other theory says that the word ten-gallon hat was derived from the Spanish words “tan galan,” which means very gallant.

Calgary white hats are white cowboy hats made with felt. These hats are the main symbol of Calgary city and the annual Calgary rodeo.

3. A brief history of the cowboy hat 

Cowboys always wore hats. Before the popular cowboy hats were invented, they wore any hat they could find. They used top hats, bowler hats, and even typical straw hats. 

The idea of broad-brimmed hats came from Mexican cowboys, who wore high-crowned, wide-brimmed hats while working outdoors.

The credit for inventing the first cowboy hats goes to a hat manufacturer from Philadelphia named John B. Stetson. In 1865, he designed a hat called the “Boss of the Plains.” 

He created first cowboy hat with the fine fur of small animals like rabbits and beavers. “Boss of the Plains” was a very durable hat, and it was a perfect match for outdoor workers like cowboys. This hat was everything a Westerner required. It was long-lasting, worked in extreme weather conditions, and looked fabulous. 

Interestingly, today’s cowboy hats are almost the same design as the first hats made by Stetson. The hats remained unchanged throughout the years. 

Here’s the complete history of cowboy hats.

4. What are the purposes of a cowboy hat?

For conventional cowboys, the cowboy hat was not just a head covering. It made their day-to-day activities so much easier. 

Here are all the uses of a cowboy hat.

• Providing shade: As with all hats, the primary purpose of a cowboy hat was to provide shade to the wearer. This includes shielding from harsh weather like strong sunlight, heavy winds, rain, and cold snow.

• Drinking water: Yes, cowboys initially used their hats to collect water from running streams. They would then drink the water or feed it to their horses.

• Method of signaling: Cowboys also used their hats to signal other workers on the ranch and get other distant riders’ attention.

• Building a fire: Cowboy hats were excellent tools for fanning a fire and getting it going. This was very useful for cowboys looking after cattle at night.

5. Are cowboy hats worn indoors? 

No, it’s always customary to remove your hat while indoors. Removing your hat when going indoors is a sign of respect and it is a part of proper hat etiquette.

If you are attending a formal occasion, always keep your hat off while indoors. You may wear the hat back if you are in an informal space. 

After all, cowboy hats were made for outdoor workers, and there’s no point in wearing them indoors.

Here’s more on proper hat etiquette and why you must not wear your hat indoors.

6. Why are cowboy hats curved on the sides?

One of the unique traits of a cowboy hat is its curved brims. The first cowboy hat, “Boss of the Plains,” had flat sides. 

However, once the hats were exposed to the sun and water, their shapes changed. The brims started curling up, and the peak creased, giving cowboy hats their distinct weathered look. 

Over time, people favored this natural weathered look, and Stetson modified the hat design to include curled brims and a creased peak.

7. What is the difference between a cowboy hat and a fedora 

Both cowboy hats and fedoras are trendy and famous, but it can be hard to distinguish between these two elegant hats.

A cowboy hat is very different from a fedora. 

The most striking difference is in the brim. Cowboy hats have wide brims that are curved up on both sides. Fedoras have smaller brims that are turned down at the back and turned up at the front.

Another difference is the materials used to make the hats. The primary materials for cowboy hats are straw, felt, or leather, whereas fedoras are made with many materials like felt, leather, linen, wool, and so much more.

Here’s how you can fully differentiate between a cowboy hat and a fedora.

8. Can a cowboy hat get wet and snowy?

Yes, a cowboy hat can resist both rain and snow. 

These hats were built for harsh weather conditions and do an excellent job of protecting the wearer from rain and snow. 

They also handle moisture well. If your cowboy gets wet, hang it on a hat rack, so it dries naturally.

It’s best not to iron or blow dry your hat as this damage the design. 

9. Do cowboy hats protect from the sun?

Yes, cowboy hats are ideal for sun protection. 

Cowboy hats have wide brims that keep the sun away from your face, head, and neck. Straw cowboy hats are the best for sunny weather. If you want to keep the sun completely away from your head, buy a tightly woven straw hat that wholly blocks sunlight.

10. Can you wear a cowboy hat in the winter?

Yes, you can wear your cowboy hat in the winter. 

Cowboy hats are year-round accessories. They shield you from the sun in summer and keep you warm during the winter. 

But remember that felt cowboy hats are better suited for winter than straw hats. Felt is a classic material for winter wear because of its ability to retain heat. A felt cowboy hat will give you a classic look while keeping away the winter chills.

11. Should a cowboy hat match your boots?

Not necessarily. A classic cowboy hat is easy to match and pair with your favorite boots, but you don’t have to do it.

Also, you don’t have to wear boots with your cowboy hat. Many people match cowboy hats with their everyday shoes. 

Another way to pair your cowboy hat with the boots is to change the hat band. You can alter the hat band depending on the outfit or occasion. 

12. Should a cowboy hat be tight?

Yes, a cowboy hat is supposed to be tight when you first wear it. These hats expand with heat, so a tight hat will soon loosen up and fit your head. 

When you try on a cowboy hat for the first time, ensure it fits snugly and is tight. 

Also, a cowboy hat made with straw must fit tighter than a felt cowboy hat. This is because straw hats are lighter and will blow away easily with the wind, whereas felt hats are heavier and less likely to blow away.

13. How did the cowboy hat become so popular?

The main reason for the cowboy hats’ popularity is that they were convenient hats. It perfectly served its purpose of shielding the wearer from sun and rain and soon became the favorite hat for outdoor Westerners. 

The durability and easy maintenance of the cowboy hat also added to its appeal.

Another reason for the popularity of cowboy hats was the movie industry. Most cowboy-themed movies portrayed cowboys wearing these unique hats. Wild West movies were thriving in the movie industry, and the costume designers were keen to solidify their actors in full cowboy attire. All the actors donned a cowboy hats. 

Soon cowboy hats became the most integral part of a cowboy’s attire. The movie protagonist wore a white hat while the antagonist wore a black hat. 

Wild West movies had such an impact on cowboy hats that all real ranchers also started wearing cowboy hats.

14. Who should wear a cowboy hat?

Firstly, you don’t have to be a cowboy to wear a cowboy hat. Cowboy hats are versatile; anyone can wear them, and they pair well with most outfits. You can wear a cowboy hat in almost any weather and for any occasion.

Initially, cowboy hats were for men working on cattle ranches, but today women also wear cowboy hats. Men can pair cowboy hats with jeans and boots like a conventional cowboy, and women can wear cowboy hats with almost any outfit. Some women even wear cowboy hats with their wedding dresses.  

15. Cowboy hat materials 

Most cowboy hats are made with either straw, felt, and less often with leather or wool. Now hat makers even use fabrics like polyester and cotton to make cowboy hats. 

Straw cowboy hats are still trendy and are excellent for warm summer conditions. Straw is a perfect material for summer hats because it’s lightweight and airy. Straw cowboy hats come in different weaves. There are relaxed, loose weaves and tight weaves with complex designs. 

Straw hats are also more affordable than felt and leather hats and require little maintenance. 

Felt is a thick fabric that makes good, strong hats. These hats will keep you warm during outdoor work in cold conditions. Felt hats shield you from the sun during the daytime and keep you warm at night. You can even fill up and drink water in a felt hat. Felt hats were handy for cowboys in desert conditions where the days were warm and nights were cold

Traditionally, cowboys started wearing their felt hats during the fall season and kept wearing them throughout winter. Felt hats pair up well with most outfits and are suitable for special occasions like weddings. 

Cowboy hats with other materials like cotton, polyester, or mixed fabrics are also popular. These hats are often cheaper, but they also don’t give the authentic feel of a cowboy hat.

Final Thoughts

Like most hats, cowboy hats were made for function but became famous for fashion.

The great thing about cowboy hats is that they never went out of style; interestingly, they didn’t evolve either.

Today it’s not just cowboys that wear cowboy hats. These timeless hats are a common sight at special events and functions. And if you are a hat lover, a cowboy hat is a fun, elegant addition to your wardrobe and personality.