Category: Let's talk
For years and years, I’ve noticed men and women wear western or cowboy/girl hats.
I’ve even had one a while back, but never took to it.
Recently, I was visiting someone, and decided to get me one.
I figured I’d just wear it on my back held there with what’s called a Stampede string, so I had the sales clerk set me up with the goods.
It felt, and looked good, and I started studying them, and was amazed at all the history, reasons for them and such. Now I’m absolutely hooked.
Companies such as Stetson have been in the business since 1865, and western wear/hats are popular worldwide.
Its something that just never goes out of style.
In fact, you can’t have a Stetson shipped internationally from some vendors, so these things are coveted in places that don’t have the shops.
Stetson ships internationally, but you’ll pay premium if you order directly too.
US presidents have even worn Stetson like the Open Road.
Sure, we’ve got other brands, and I have the opinion that some of the best are made in Mexico.
One brand is El General. Really top-notch hats.
In fact, I won’t buy a product that isn’t US or Mexican made.
Yep, lots of western wear is produced in China, and I understand why, but I won’t buy it if I know it.
I guess I don’t mind if it is produced, but the company needs to be American and the products created here.
Laughing.
So, anyone in to western hats?
If so, what’s your favorites?
i'm not a hat person but i love looking at western hats. i have a prominent nose and
have been told that when i wear head gear like that, it and mhy proboskis, elephant
trunk, or whatever is all that is seen. i do like western shirts and boots though.
What is your favorite boot, or shirt brands?
Quality control seems to be better on some then others. What I mean by this, is the sizing and fit.
That is also subjective, because we all are made differently, but some boot brands seem to just fit me better then others.
Dan Post and Laredo, seem to do me best even though they've not been around for as long as say Lucchese.
Lucchese, makes some really beautiful boots though. They've got an interesting range of miterials the boots are made from, like bison, goat, and such things.
Elephant even.
I'm saving my dimes for my next pair.
Laughing.
One thing I've learned that kind of bothers me about western wear is even companies like Stetson and Levi have stuff made in China.
You really have to look closely to make sure your product is American made.
Sure, if it was the late 1800's I might wear one.
If I were to ever wear a hat of any kind, it would probably be one of those. That or a fedora. Yeah yeah, I realize fadoras are apparently really aganst popular fassion, but I think they look cool. Probably because I equate them with those 40s noir private investigators. Anything but a ball cap. There's something about ball caps that I just can't stand on anyone at all. I don't even know how to name it.
I like the fedora.
To western one, you just get it with a wider brim, or a snap brim.
The snap brim, you can fold down or leave it up.
I have a couple I mate with western boots.
Many people like ball caps, but for whatever reason, I can't walk with one on. It makde me feel as if I'm going to run in to something.
Why a cowboy, or western hat doesn't, I'm not sure.
Maybe because the brim is wide all around, so my guidance system adapts better?
Laughing.
Western hats are really wide ranged and come in varying types, grades of miterials, and you can add your own thing to them.
Used to like wearing baseball and football hats backwards.
Don't doubt it for a moment. It was all the rage in the day. Soooo glad that's not as prevalent anymore.
And that brings me back.
The Western hat has never gone out of style, nor been the rage. It just seems to be there, and people wear them for more then the looks.
A good hat to a working rancher, or cowboy/girl, or even an urgan one is more a tool then fashion.
Kinda fashion with function.
I wear a straw Stetson cowboy hat quite often. It's hot and bright where I am
and it helps keep the sun out of my face and the back of my head. I also don't
look half bad in one and get complements on it regularly. I only own one and
use it more for function than for a look. Luckily, it doesn't look bad with a v-
neck shirt, jeans and boots.
I wear a ball cap if I do wear a hat, although I have a winter hat I'll use in the extremely cold dry weather. None of us blind people wants to cover our ears, so there's that.
If there was a way to not look like a dork and wear a plastic cap during the rain I would do it. My raincoat / shell has a hood, but again, that covers the ears too much for my liking preventing my own internal guidance system from working right.
I thought cowboy hats had to be worn with boots, and that they didn't do so well in the rain? I remember my father's and being extra careful with it as a kid, but that's about all.
I have 2 Stetson hats that can be worn in the rain, snow, whatever.
When they get wet, simply shake and let dry.
They'll even keep your head warm, and not cover your ears.
These are wool felt it is called.
Some fur felt hats can also be worn in the wet too.
If you think about it, cowboys used hats no matter the weather, so it is the new type miterials that are not rain good.
A good hat like that keeps the rain out of your face and from running down your neck.