| The Western Cowboy Hat is probably the most | | | | hat on the brim. If you must lay it down for a |
| defining piece of equipment in Western wear. | | | | short period of time, always lay it upside down |
| Today, Cowboy Hats for most people are simply | | | | resting on the crown or hang it on a hook so that |
| a fashion statement. However, in the earlier days | | | | they brim is not touching anything. For long term |
| they were a functional piece of equipment with a | | | | storage, the best solution is to keep it in a hat |
| wide brim to protect cowboys from the sun and | | | | box or make a cardboard ring that the crown will |
| rain. They were also used to fan a campfire, | | | | fit down inside of. |
| signal others, swat a horse or filled with water to | | | | Always store your hat in a cool, dry environment. |
| give your horse a drink. | | | | Heat and moisture will potentially cause the hat to |
| There are many styles and manufacturers of | | | | lose its shape. The worst place for a cowboy hat |
| hats. Probably the most famous is the Stetson. | | | | is in the backseat window of a hot car or truck. |
| John Batterson Stetson was an eastern man, | | | | Felt hats were designed to be used in the rain; |
| born into a hat making family, who made his way | | | | that was part of their original function. Straw hats |
| west. He developed a reputation for making | | | | can handle a brief amount of rain, but both kinds |
| durable, quality hats and manufactured the | | | | will need some care to keep them from losing |
| Ten-Gallon hat in 1865. There are many other | | | | their shape. |
| manufacturers of quality hats such as Resistol, | | | | If your felt hat gets wet, turn down the sweat |
| Bailey and others. | | | | band and stand it on a level surface right side up |
| Hats are generally made from felt (Beaver and/or | | | | on the sweat band. Do not use heat to aid the |
| Rabbit fur), Wool or Straw. Cost can run | | | | drying as it will cause the leather sweat band to |
| anywhere from $20 to $4000. Price is usually | | | | shrink. Make sure the brim does not touch any |
| determined by the amount of beaver fur versus | | | | surface as pressure of any kind on a wet hat will |
| the rabbit fur in the hat. This is denoted by the X | | | | leave its mark when the hat is dry. You would do |
| marking usually seen on the inside of the crown. | | | | the same for a straw hat, except to use a dry |
| The higher the X number, the more expensive | | | | cloth to wipe off excess moisture first. A good |
| the hat will be. But it also will be more durable and | | | | idea is to protect a hat from water damage by |
| have a much smoother softer feel. A good quality | | | | using a non-silicone based protector. Spray it on |
| hat can last for 20 years to a lifetime because of | | | | and then lightly brush it into the felt before it |
| the durability of beaver fur. Straw hats will have a | | | | dries. |
| much shorter lifespan. | | | | If your hat does get some rain spotting after it |
| To determine the size of a hat you would take | | | | dries, you can use a felt hat cleaning sponge to |
| the size number of the hat, for instance size 7, | | | | remove the stains. For keeping felt hats clean, |
| times 3.145 (22"). A head that is 23 1/3" in | | | | brushes work well. Hats should be brushed |
| circumference is 23 1/3" divided by 3.145 which | | | | regularly with a brim brush to remove dust and |
| gives 7.4. The closest hat size to this is 7 3/8. Of | | | | dirt. If your hat gets really soiled and stained it |
| course, this does vary a little bit depending on the | | | | would probably be best to have a professional |
| manufacturer. | | | | clean and reshape it. They can bring a really |
| Hats should be stored properly to insure that they | | | | hopeless looking hat back to life. |
| keep their shape and durability. Avoid laying the | | | | |