How should a Cowboy Hat Fit?

Ways to Wear the Iconic Cowboy Symbol

The iconic Cowboy Hat is a true testament to the time-honored traditions embedded in the Western way of life. Dating back over 150 years ago, the cowboy hat is a piece of American History. The earliest cowboys in our history preferred the Derby hat, which was short-brimmed and low-crowned, commonly known as a Bowler. Aside from the derby hat, cowboys, farmers, and frontiersmen would wear anything from a Mexican sombrero to an old Civil War hat. A young John B. Stetson debuted his high-crowned and wide-brimmed all-weather hat in 1865, making cowboy history. “The Boss of the Plains” Stetson hat functioned as a shield from the harsh elements that each day brought.

By the 1870s, cowboy hats had become fully customizable, allowing men to shape their crowns and brims to their liking. From top hat to cowboy hat and everywhere in between there is one aspect of a hat that certainly can’t be neglected: the fit. If it’s your first time getting fitted for a cowboy hat or you just have a hat that doesn’t sit right, Cavender’s is here to help. We’ll take you through the steps to getting a great-fitting hat and how to wear a cowboy hat with confidence. As always, you can stop in your local Cavender’s, and our team of associates will guide you to find the best cowboy hat for you.

Sizing

A cowboy hat can be a big investment so ensuring you have a perfect fit is essential. Having a ballpark idea of what size you need before stopping by one of our locations is extremely helpful, but not necessary. Each of our stores is equipped with a hat bar, manned by experienced associates who will find you the right fit, shape, and style of hat. Whatever you do always try before you buy because varying styles of hats can fit differently. Generally, felts are more forgiving than straws because the material is softer and more malleable. Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide to finding the right fit for you.

Measuring

Measuring your head is the first step to finding your perfect fit. You can use a cloth measuring tape if you have one on hand or use a string and measure the string. These methods will help you find the circumference of your head. With this measurement, you can refer to our size chart to find the right size options for you. Cowboy hats come in a range of sizes from 6 and an 1/8th to an 8. If this sounds completely foreign to you, no worries the size chart converts your inches or centimeter measurements to hat sizes for your hat fitting convenience.

Cloth Measuring tape method:

• Place your measuring tape two fingers above your eyebrows and about an inch above your ears.
• The beginning of your measuring tape should be near the middle of your forehead.
• Take your measuring tape around the circumference of your head and notate the final length.
• Now you have your head circumference.
• Refer to the size chart to convert this length to your hat size.

String Method:

• Place your string two fingers above your eyebrows and about an inch above your ears.
• The end of your string should be near the middle of your forehead.
• Take your string around the circumference of your head.
• Once you reach your forehead you can either mark where the string overlaps or simply cut the string where it meets.
• Lay the string flat next to measuring tape or ruler and note the length.
• Now you have your head circumference.
• Refer to the size chart to convert this length to your hat size.

You might be wondering; how should a cowboy hat feel when you first put it on?

Tightness

Your hat should be tight enough to stay in place but loose enough so that it isn’t constraining. A good test of this is shaking your head from side to side. Your hat should stay in place, if not you may need to size it down. If your hat covers your ears and sits low on your forehead you need to size down. Try on a hat and wear it for a couple of minutes. If the hat leaves indentions or marks on your forehead, that’s a headache waiting to happen, size up.

Not your first rodeo?

If you’ve owned your fair share of cowboy hats before, you may already know the ins and outs of fittings. However, if you find yourself with painful headaches, deep indentions on your head, or your hat is moving around a little too much, it might be time to go in for a second fitting. Now, if you just need a quick fix, there are options. For instance, say your hat shrunk from being in the heat for a prolonged period. Stretching your hat is always a good fail-safe. Go down to your local Cavender’s and the hat bar employee can stretch your hat free of charge.

Some preventative measures you can take to ensure your hat doesn’t shrink are storing it properly and keeping a hat jack on hand. The hat jack works as a stretcher and is great for preserving your hat’s original size. Place the hat jack inside your hat to prevent any further shrinkage. If you’ve found that your hat is just a little loose on your head, we offer free foam inserts at our hat bar to help close that gap. Another option is rolling up a paper towel and placing it in the inside leather band. Now, these tips may help in a pinch but it’s inherent that you own a great-fitting hat that you can confidently wear without constantly adjusting.

How to Wear a Cowboy Hat

Now that you’ve found the right fit for you, one question still stands: How do you wear a cowboy hat? Wearing a cowboy hat is all about position, style, and when you plan to wear your cowboy hat. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

• Locate the small bow in the interior of your hat near the sweatband.
• The bow is an indicator of where the back of your hat is.
• If your hat lacks a bow, you should have the narrower side of the hat in the front.
• Grasp your hat by the crown and place it on your head.
• Secure your hat in place leaving two fingers between your brows and the hat.
• Your hat should fit evenly around your head.
• Traditionally, you would then position the front of your brim at a downward angle. This position is handy when keeping the sun out of your eyes and getting involved in high-intensity activities such as Rodeo Events. The downward-facing brim improves the overall aerodynamic performance and won’t catch air and fly off.
• However, many cowboys and cowgirls prefer a more personalized hat position, with their hat sitting back on their heads a bit. This style certainly adds character to your look.

Styling Tips

With a perfectly fitting hat, the outfit choices are boundless. There are no rules for what to pair with a cowboy hat, but here are some tips to get you started.

For The Cowboys

The cowboy hat is a staple for any guy looking to showcase their Western wear or just keep the sun off their face. Got yourself a great fitting hat? If so, you’re well on your way to the complete western closet. However, you can’t be all hat and no boots. We’re called Cavender’s Boot City for a reason; first, you need a good pair of boots. A punchy-toe boot is a great option if you can’t decide what toe shape you want. The punchy-toe is like a narrower square toe that pairs well with both bootcut and straight-leg jeans. Check out some roughout-style punchy-toes from R. Watson and Cavender’s. Next up: Cowboy denim. The go-to cowboy jeans are spelled out in the name: Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans. This classic has stood the test of time and never goes out of style.

Now, you can’t wear jeans without a belt. Ariat and Nocona have a great selection to choose from but keep in mind that matching your belt color to your boots will give you a more clean-cut look. Lastly, if you want to switch out your favorite graphic tee for something more formal try a western shirt. Follow the lead of the king himself and try out a Wrangler George Strait button-down. Western fashion changes from season to season. In the warmer months, pair your straw hat with a patterned polo shirt and a pair of light-washed Cinch jeans for a coastal cowboy look. In the cooler months, pair your felt hat with a long-sleeved button-down and a Rafter C vest to keep you warm and looking sharp.

For The Cowgirls

The ‘cowboy hat’ isn’t just for the boys despite its affectionate name. However, the cowgirl essentials aren’t as cut and dry. Now that you have a well-fitting hat, you need a pair of boots, and the rest falls in place. Every gal needs a pair of square-toe boots and a pair of snip toes. We offer a large variety of square and snip-toe boots. When it comes to square toe, Anderson Bean crafts authentic cowgirl boots with a touch of feminine flair for any occasion. Tall snip-toe boots have increased in popularity over the last couple of years. JRC & Sons boots have a wide color range and don’t skimp on quality or comfort. Their ‘Nancy’ and ‘Jacqueline’ boots are 17 inches in height, elongating your legs and making a perfect boot for all seasons. Wear them during the warmer months with Wrangler retro shorts or a babydoll dress and in the cooler months pair your JRCs with skinny jeans and a cozy knit sweater. Take the traditional route with a classic felt or straw hat or opt for a flat-brimmed fashion hat to make a statement.

Choosing an outfit to complement your cowboy hat can be a difficult task if you’ve just begun diving into Western wear, but with the right fit and shape you’re well on your way. For a formal outing, pair a traditional felt hat with a blazer, a pair of trouser jeans, a long-sleeved western shirt, and some layered jewelry. Not every day is going to be an NFR fashion show, but that doesn’t mean you should cramp your style. Play with different textures and colors like grabbing a glittery blazer and a silky button down. For a more casual occasion or just everyday wear opt for a graphic T-shirt, bootcut jeans, a leather belt, a pair of Hey Dudes and a felt or straw depending on the season. The fashion hat is a great addition to any stylized outfit such as a flowy dress or funky romper.

Conclusion

The cowboy hat is for everyone who respects and wants to represent the Western way of life. Whether it’s protection from the elements, a day at the stockyards, an upcoming rodeo, or just an everyday working hat, the cowboy hat is a vital accessory. With an array of cowboy hats, sizes, shapes, and all the tools to get you the right hat, Cavender’s is your one-stop shop for all your hatting needs. Wear your cowboy hat with confidence, knowing it’s specifically tailored to you. For more cowboy hat tips and tricks visit our Cavender’s Ranch hat blog.

AUTHOR BIO: LUCILLE MOORE

Lucille Moore, a part-time writer and full-time Western fashion guru, prides herself on originality and authenticity. Growing up on her family’s farm with two former ranch managers as parents, Lucille ‘Lucy’ was practically born in the saddle. As a full-time marketing student at the University of Texas at Tyler, she’s committed to delivering greatness with every word while consistently bringing new ideas to the table. Tenacity and passion are just a few of the great qualities that make Lucy, well Lucy. With an extensive background in the Western industry, a love for fashion, and a God-given talent to write, Lucy is determined to craft her own legacy between the lines of literature. Learn more about Lucille Moore by visiting her online portfolio HERE.