Men’s Western Wear: The Iconic Cowboy Hat

Name the defining article of men’s western wear. Take a minute to reflect on the matter. Is it the cowboy boots or western work boots? Is it worn jeans? The belt buckle? The characteristic western shirt with beautiful embroidery? Perhaps it’s something else that you haven’t considered yet.

How about the western hat, which is equally recognizable by the term “cowboy hat,” with which it is synonymous. Recognizable though it may be by words alone, it’s far more recognizable on sight. The western hat may just be the defining article of men’s western wear. There is little to oppose it.

If you’re here to learn a little more about cowboy hats, you’re in the right place! Jackson’s English & Western Store is your source for western wear for men, women, and children as well as riding accessories - and we know a thing or two about cowboy hats, too. Consult this guide for a brief introduction, and if you have any more questions, give us a call, or better yet, come see us in Wayland, Michigan!

Terms:

First off, let’s start with some background information on cowboy hats so we have some ground rules. Here are the terms you absolutely need to know to talk the talk. There are others, but these are the bare essentials.

Crown - The crown is the top of the hat, being the part that rests over your head when you wear it. There are several different crown designs, and it is the orientation and appearance of the crown that oftentimes defines a hat.

Brim - The brim is the flat or curved part of the hat that extends outward away from the crown and shields the person wearing it from the sun, rain, snow, and elements. For example, on a baseball cap, the brim extends only forward from the cap and shields the wearer’s eyes, and does not encircle the head, as a western hat does. Brim shape and style also occasionally influence the design of a hat.

Hat Band - The hat band is a strip of leather, cloth, cord, or other material that encircles the base of the crown. Typically, its function is decorative and it adds some character to the hat. Occasionally, wearers will place ornaments or other decorative items in the band.

Dent and Crease - These are not the same, although they are similar. The dent is a depression that is sometimes present at the top of the crown of a hat, whereas a crease is a depression that is sometimes present at the sides of the crown. Occasionally these are present together, occasionally both are absent. Each of them is important in defining the style of a hat.

Styles:

Now that you have a working knowledge of the most basic terms necessary to talk western-hat-lingo, now we can explore a few common styles and how they appear. Remember, these are not hard and fast rules; oftentimes a hat will be called one thing but have features of several styles.

Open Crown - An open crown hat has a rounded crown without a dent or a crease and typically a wide, flat brim without a curve or roll. Although they are rare today, this style closely mimics the original Stetson “Boss o’ The Plains” from which modern western hats have descended.

Cattleman - Cattleman’s hats are some of the most popular cowboy hats in collections of men’s western wear. Usually, they have a dented crown with two creases along the sides and a curved brim.

Gambler - Gambler hats are also fairly popular designs; they are like cattleman hats but in place of the dent and creases of the crown there is a depression in the middle.

Brick - Brick hats typically represent a mix between cattleman and gambler hats, often with the depression at the top of the hat flanked by two creases.

Pinched Front - Pinched front is not so much a style of cowboy hat as it is a feature that is often included. Pinched front hats have a crown that is “pinched” at the front, shaped like a wedge or a “V”.

Materials

Cowboy hats are also produced in a number of materials, including, most popularly, the following.

-Leather - Some cowboy hats are made of leather, although these require a lot more care and attention than straw and felt hats.

-Straw - Many cowboy hats today are made from straw because it is a very light, very breathable hat that requires basically no maintenance. Although they are not waterproof and provide little insulation, they afford excellent protection against sun, glare, and heat.

-Felt - The original cowboy hats were made from felted wool and fur and some of the best are still made from them today. These hats can be made to be waterproof and warm, affording the wearer protection against not only sun and heat, but also against rain, cold, ice, and snow.

Want to Learn More? Come See Us!

Ready to dive into our collection of western wear that includes a number of unforgettable western hats? Check them out via the links provided in this article - or come visit us at our retail location in Wayland!

Otherwise, we’re not more than a phone call away, so if you have any questions, you can reach out to us at 269-792-2550.