I was asked to attend an event in Oklahoma that will definitely involve cowboy gear. I was told that I should buy a cowboy hat. Do you have any advice for choosing a hat? Thanks for your help!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I realized that I have not written any posts about “cowboy” anything in a long time, so thanks for the opportunity to write about something else with which I have experience. Read on… \n \nWhile I live in Maryland, a state not known for cowboys to western hats, I grew up in Oklahoma, and still have family who live there. This is what I said in reply to this email question:<\/p>\n
These days, most real cowboys in Oklahoma wear ballcaps. But the traditional Stetson or Resistol are often seen, too.<\/p>\n
The time of the year affects the choice of the hat.<\/p>\n
Since Oklahoma gets very hot from May through October, most guys who wear a traditional western hat wear one made of straw during those months, not felt.<\/p>\n
The felt western hat is work when it is cool or cold, from November through April.<\/p>\n
Guys notice quality (or cheap), so get a hat rated 5x or better. Hats rated lower appear cheap. They also notice brands and can tell a brand from the appearance without even looking at a label. So get Stetson or Resistol. These are the best, long-term brands out there.<\/p>\n
Depending on the shape of your face and body type, there are hats that look better. If you can, try on several and look at yourself in a mirror. The pinch and dent should be moderate. (See photo of parts of a cowboy hat).<\/p>\n
The height of the crown should be proportional to your physical height. For example, if you are 5-foot 8-inches (172cm) or shorter, choose a hat with crown of 4 inches (10cm) or less. If you are between 5′ 9″ and 6′ 3″ or so (172 to 190cm), a traditional crown height of 4.5 inches works. Taller? Then a taller crown is okay.<\/p>\n
Should you get a band or ribbon to wrap around the crown? Most cowboys do not wear one. I do; my choice. I like the contrasting decorative aesthetic. But I don’t go overboard.<\/p>\n
Also, watch the size of the brim. A brim of 4 inches (11.5cm) or less is considered normal. Brims wider than 4 inches look like a sombrero and you’ll get laughed at.<\/p>\n
Fit: the fit of a hat is critical. You don’t want it so big that it sits on your head and comes down over your eyes, or so narrow\/small that it won’t fit and hold on your head and fly off at the slightest puff of wind. Using a tape, wrap it across the top of your head just above your ears and across the forehead. A hat size such as 7-1\/8 is determined by the inches around your head, measured to the nearest eighth of an inch. This video may help<\/a>. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Cowboyup-100x300.jpg?resize=100%2C300\")
Recently, I received a question:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Luccamel10-109x300.jpg?resize=109%2C300\")
These days, most real cowboys in Oklahoma wear ballcaps. But the traditional Stetson or Resistol are often seen, too.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Cowboyhatparts-300x180.jpg?resize=300%2C180\")
Depending on the shape of your face and body type, there are hats that look better. If you can, try on several and look at yourself in a mirror. The pinch and dent should be moderate. (See photo of parts of a cowboy hat).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Cowboyhat2-235x300.jpg?resize=235%2C300\")
The height of the crown should be proportional to your physical height. For example, if you are 5-foot 8-inches (172cm) or shorter, choose a hat with crown of 4 inches (10cm) or less. If you are between 5′ 9″ and 6′ 3″ or so (172 to 190cm), a traditional crown height of 4.5 inches works. Taller? Then a taller crown is okay.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TLoryx11-111x300.jpg?resize=111%2C300\")
Fit: the fit of a hat is critical. You don’t want it so big that it sits on your head and comes down over your eyes, or so narrow\/small that it won’t fit and hold on your head and fly off at the slightest puff of wind. Using a tape, wrap it across the top of your head just above your ears and across the forehead. A hat size such as 7-1\/8 is determined by the inches around your head, measured to the nearest eighth of an inch.