| A hat is a head covering. It may be worn for | | | | have a simple sweat band on the inside to |
| protection against the elements, for religious | | | | stabilize the fit of the head, and usually a small |
| reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. | | | | decorative hat band on the outside of the crown |
| In the past, hats were an indicator of social | | | | Again, even the availability of hats is different. |
| status. The most popular hats which used to | | | | Some are mass-produced - cheap and readily |
| wear most of boys are called cowboy hats. A | | | | available in the market. However, for special |
| cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on | | | | occasions and ceremonies, hats might be specially |
| ranches in North America, | | | | made. These are the 'custom-made' hats. They |
| The cowboy hat is a high-crowned, wide-brimmed | | | | are made according to the demands of the |
| hat best known as the defining piece of attire for | | | | customer. Needless to say, the more exclusive |
| the American cowboy. Today it is worn by many | | | | your hat, the lighter your pocket. |
| people, and is particularly associated with ranch | | | | They are made from three different materials |
| workers in the western and southern United | | | | primarily - fur, straw and sometimes, wool. Black |
| States, western Canada and northern Mexico, | | | | leather hats and cowboy hats are those which |
| with country-western singers, and for participants | | | | are wide-brimmed and have raised, high crowns |
| in the North American rodeo circuit. It is | | | | Straw hats are the cheapest to buy; they are |
| recognized around the world as part of Old West | | | | also the best hats to wear when the weather is |
| cowboy lore. The shape of a cowboy hat's crown | | | | very hot. They also, however, have greater wear |
| and brim are often modified by the wearer for | | | | and tear, becoming brittle more easily. If wants to |
| fashion and to protect against weather. | | | | wear one hat for a long time, then fur hats, |
| It is an item of apparel that can be worn in any | | | | made from beaver fur, or even rabbit fur, are |
| corner of the world, and receive immediate | | | | the best buys. Although they are more |
| recognition as part of American cowboy culture | | | | expensive, their durability makes them affordable. |
| Among different kinds of headgear, hats are a | | | | And, if you thought that only wearing a leather |
| relatively modern phenomenon. It is really very | | | | cowboy hat in any way would make you a |
| simple - come hail or high water, blasting heat or | | | | cowboy, be warned! In fact, there are numerous |
| bitter cold, hats protect your head, and so, | | | | rules that decide what a proper cowboy should |
| protect you. Hats really come in different shapes | | | | and should not wear. |
| and sizes - they always did, actually - and they | | | | First, no cowboy ever owns, or wears, one hat |
| have very different uses as well. Hats have been | | | | for all occasions. Choice of hats varies according |
| used as fashion statements, for the purpose of | | | | to function and fashion. Light colored hats, usually |
| decoration and for the purpose of protection, and | | | | made of straw, are ideal for summer. For one, |
| sometimes, even to indicate what 'class' the | | | | when there is no fear of rain, they look good. |
| wearer belonged to. Perhaps more than any other | | | | Also, straw allows air to pass, which is crucial in |
| accessory, hats are used for a large variety of | | | | hot weather. Also, light colors mean little heat is |
| purposes. | | | | absorbed. Following the same logic, only in |
| Modern cowboy hats are made of fur-based felt, | | | | reverse, dark-colored, felt hats, storing heat and |
| straw or, less often, leather. They are sold with a | | | | keeping the head warm, are meant for use in |
| tall, rounded crown and a wide flat brim. They | | | | winter. |