| The celebrated cowboy hat had its beginnings on | | | | they spent long hours on horseback in the |
| the cattle ranches of America. Conjectured to be | | | | blistering sun. In the North, the deviation in |
| a descendent of the Mongol hat and the Mexican | | | | temperature and the gusty winds influenced an |
| sombrero, the cowboy hat, as much as the rest | | | | alteration in the design. Heavy felt was best suited |
| of a cowboys equipage seems to have its origin | | | | to these climatic conditions. |
| in Spain. | | | | Whether straw or felt, a cowboy hat is relatively |
| The high crown of the cowboy hat allowed for | | | | simple to clean. All it needs is a soft brush |
| free air circulation, while the wide brim (4 inches | | | | whisked all over to remove the dust. Always |
| and above), kept the sun at bay and served as | | | | store your cowboy hat upside down, with the |
| protection from the rain as well. A cowboy | | | | brim up to help keep its shape. |
| showed great innovation in using his hat. It could | | | | Over a period of time the cowboy developed his |
| double as a container for water or be used as a | | | | own style. The brim would be turned up or down; |
| fan. It could revive dying embers, was convenient | | | | the hats position on the head could differ. |
| to hail comrades or prod a horse into a gallop. | | | | Whether it was worn low down or tilted way |
| Whatever its uses, brilliant horsemanship, excellent | | | | back, it seemed to define the character of the |
| marksmanship and straight talking are | | | | wearer. |
| synonymous with the cowboy hat. | | | | When a person walks into a room with a cowboy |
| The material used for a cowboy hat depended on | | | | hat, he exudes a presence that is impossible to |
| the climate, straw and felt being the most popular. | | | | ignore. Makes you want to go up to him and say |
| Southerners sported ones with a large brim as | | | | Howdy! |