| "The cowboy hat is the symbol of the American | | | | Montana peak, and slope, the list goes on and on! |
| cowboy and the symbol of America. It is uniquely | | | | Many companies make these styles like, Stetson, |
| American."- David R. Stoecklein. | | | | Resistol, and Serratelli. |
| As you will come to find out from reading the | | | | Now, as time goes on the cowboy hats popularity |
| article you will soon discover that it is merely a | | | | grows and more and more styles continue to |
| brief history on one of the worlds most famous | | | | compile. The following is just a brief description on |
| and beloved styles of hats, the American cowboy | | | | a select few styles: |
| hat. The cowboy hat or western style hat | | | | Classic Cattleman - Usually a standard four inch |
| emerged on the scene some 200 years after | | | | brim with a 4 and 5/8" crown it will have three |
| Spain had brought the *sombrero* to America. | | | | elongated dimples on the crown which run parallel. |
| Sombrero - a traditional Spanish style of head | | | | this style is what most people think of when they |
| gear worn by the "vaqueros" it hat a wider brim | | | | think of a cowboy hat.This particular family of |
| with usually a pointy-tall crown with normally three | | | | hats also include the rancher styles which have a |
| to four dimples. They are usually highly decorated. | | | | taller crown, the cutters that hat a shorter crown |
| rich in color. | | | | and most show styles. |
| At this time Americans, moving west, wore | | | | Rough Stock - The most popular rodeo style |
| sailors hats, top hats and derbies. Anything they | | | | currently are ones with a square top and wider |
| could to protect themselves from the elements. | | | | brim the trend is 4 1/4"- 5" brim depending on |
| Until, one day a Philadelphia hat makers son by | | | | you preference. The flange (style of the brim) is |
| the name of John B. Stetson created a theatrical | | | | usually squared up rather wide, on average about |
| styled hat out of necessity. The felt was made | | | | 7" apart. And many have a bound edge which is |
| by the age old tradition of matting the under coat | | | | colored ribbon sewed around the edge. |
| of animals by kneading the hairs, then boiling them | | | | Buckaroo - The most popular buckaroo style |
| then repeating the process over and over all the | | | | would have to be the Nevada or the Vaquero |
| while thinning out the felt, when the water dried it | | | | style, it traditionally has a 4" brim with a 4" crown |
| became stronger. John later sold the ridiculous hat | | | | completely flat for most but some have a curled |
| to a frontiersman for five dollars, a large amount | | | | side or pencil role; the crown is a telescopic crown |
| at the time. When he returned to Philly he began | | | | which at a birds eye view looks like a lens. Others |
| immediately filling orders!! And Stetson Hats were | | | | include cross overs from the old west styles. |
| born. | | | | Some have a laced edge or filigree work. |
| Old Western Styles - The very first western | | | | This is just the beginning of the list!! |
| style hat was called the Boss of The Plains which | | | | "May the cowboy hat live on forever... wear it |
| is still made by stetson today. Others Include the | | | | with pride, for it is the symbol of one of the |
| Gus, Tom Mix, center fire, packer, hop-along, | | | | most respected professions in the world." - David |
| Russell, open, mule kicks, campaign, cavalry, | | | | R. Stoecklein. |