Take your best pick from the top five types of cowboy hats

Most people think that cowboy hats are available in one uniform type. But that is not true. Several different cowboy hat styles are available today. Generally, when you conjecture a cowboy hat in your mind, you visualize it possessing an indented crown and a curved brim. And that is undoubtedly the conventional Western style of the cowboy hat. However, when you look at the original cowboy hats, they didn’t appear like that. It was initially called the “Stetson” and came with a round top and flat brim. 

People generally think that the present-day style of the cowboy hat they prefer today, having a rolled brim and a dent, came from the fact that the cowboy needed to remove the hat each time he walked into a building. Also, the cowboy needed to take off the hat whenever a woman crossed the street. And each time the cowboy grabbed the hat top for removing it, the dents became visible. 

The evolution of the cowboy hat

In recent times, the earlier Stetson cowboy hat has undergone an evolution. In 1860s, when there were the conventional cowboy hats, they got worn only by men. However, today, cowboy hats get worn by children, women, and other people, both for function and fashion. That aside, there is no “one size fits all” rule with the cowboy hat. Multiple variants are available. 

So, you don’t know which cowboy hat to choose for yourself? If yes, then you have arrived at the correct place. In this article, we will talk about the various types of cowboy hats so that you know the kind that caters to your style and preference. These hats can shield your eyes and face from the harsh sun rays, keep your head covered, and also make you appear stylish. So, here are the five variants of the cowboy hat that you need to know:

• Conventional western cowboy hats

When they imagine the cowboy hat, most people see this hat in their mind’s eye. It is a stylish hat that comes with an indented crown and an oval-shaped, curved brim. It is the correct hat to remove when there’s a lady. This hat variant gets worn all across Southwest and South states of the USA by both women and men. The hat has graduated from its use of shielding the wearer from the elements. But even then, you can wear this hat anytime and anywhere. Whether it’s a grocery store or a nightclub, this hat can be your style companion. 

• Outdoor cowboy hats

Most people often wonder whether all cowboy hats are to be worn outdoors or not! And the answer is yes. However, certain cowboy hats get explicitly designed for outdoor activities. These hats are waterproof, crushable, and robust that can stand the test of time. These hats won’t get faded if you face the sun, and neither will they get ruined with minimal wear and tear. These hats also get made from fur or wax cloth, which is perfect for keeping the wearer warm during wintry nights. 

• Embellished western cowboy hats

It is exciting to know that the act of adding embellishments to the cowboy hat isn’t a modern-day practice. It got done right after this hat came into existence. And the decoration was a process of representing the region or the ranch once belonged from. It also distinguished one hat from the other. Today, the expert hat makers have come up with cowboy hats with a wide range of embellishments, like various crowns, brim styles, colors, and materials. The cowboy hats for women often possess fine embellishments. Some hats have embellishments like leather straps, braids, and gemstones. 

• Leather cowboy hats

A high-end grain leather cowboy hat is an intelligent investment that you can make. The hat isn’t just appealing to look at, but it will last you for a long time. But it would help if you remembered that the leather cowboy hats aren’t waterproof. Hence, when the hat soaks in water, it can result in the leather changing its shape and sometimes rotting. But you can always find ways to waterproof the leather. 

• Panama cowboy hats

The Panama hat belongs to Ecuador, but it got associated with the family of cowboy hats with a dented crown and round brim that is perfect for keeping the head secured from the summer heat. Since this cowboy hat uses Panama straw, it is lightweight. The hat is usually breathable and is light-colored, and is perfect for a hot summer day. Today, other than men, even children and women wear the Panama cowboy hat. 

Now that you are aware of the different types of cowboy hats available, you can choose the one that caters to your requirement and style. Make sure that you get a good-quality cowboy hat that will last you for a long time.