A cowboy hat is not as simple as it seems to be. The hats represent American tradition, heritage, and culture. However, it will be wrong to assume that you can wear cowboy hats only within the American region. The fact remains that you can wear cowboy hats anywhere in the world, and not only that, the hats also match different types of outfits.
But before you buy a cowboy hat of your choice, you need to know the materials with which the hats are made up. The following are popular materials:
Fur Felt
Fur felt is a popular material that many manufacturers use to make cowboy hats. There are mainly four different fur types –milk buffalo, beaver, and rabbit. When it comes to a fur hat, its X’s specification comes to the fore. A high number of X means the hat contains a high amount of fur and indicates that it is of a higher quality. For example, if a hat has 6X specifications, it contains 60 percent of fur. As such, it is more expensive compared to a hat with a 5X rating.
Straw
Cowboy hats made of straw are cheap, so many people prefer buying such a hat. However, not all straw hats are inexpensive. The price also depends on the quality of the hat. When it comes to a high-quality straw hat, the price will not be so low. You can choose such a hat for the summer season as it will keep your head cool in the heat. Straw cowboy hats also have X’s in their specification. The X signifies the tightness of the fabric weave and the thickness of the straw reeds. A high X means a high-quality straw hat.
Suede and Leather
Suede and Leather are popular materials for making modern cowboy hats. Leather cowboy hats are water-resistant and very durable, but the downside is that it makes you feel very hot in summer. Suede cowboy hats are stylish and come in many colors.
Wool
Wool is not a popular material for cowboy hat manufacturers. But wool hats are advantageous too. As you can easily fold a wool cowboy hat, it becomes easier for you to pack it into your luggage during traveling. There is no need for you to have a separate bag to carry such a hat while traveling.
How to Store Your Cowboy Hat?
One of the best ways of taking care of your cowboy hat is to store it properly. Here are how you should store your hat:
- Place it upside down.
- Put it on a hat stand.
- Never store it right side up on its brim. It will twist the brim, misshaping it. And if that happens, you need to avail of the services of a professional to reshape it.
One more thing to consider while buying a cowboy hat is the right size for your head. Refer to the infographic in this post to know all about it.
