When Should I Switch to a Felt Cowboy Hat?

Today’s the day! It’s time to take the felt out of hibernation and tuck the straw away for a couple of months. The felt hat symbolizes the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The tradition of switching from a straw cowboy hat to a felt cowboy hat after Labor Day stems from none other than cowboy practicality. Why blame them? The felt hat provided them with the warmth and durability they needed when saddling up on a chilly fall day. Whereas, a straw hat is much more suitable for the summer months, due to its ventilation, breathable material, and generally lighter colors. Much like the tradition of retiring your white clothing after Labor Day, these customs and traditions have become ingrained in our society and are a part of many people’s social etiquette, especially that of the cowboy culture.

Formal Events

As seasons change so do Cowboy hats. The timeline for wearing a felt cowboy hat is from Labor Day through Memorial Day. However, there is one exception: formal events. This exception also has historical significance, since our cowboy predecessors favored felt hats for important events and gatherings as a symbol of respect. The felt hat is a classy option for any formal occasion and acceptable to wear even in the warmer months. Nevertheless, if your event happens to be outside, keep in mind that felt hats maintain heat more than straw hats. You might notice a felt hat out of season in the following situations; weddings, holiday parties, conferences, or any dressier event.

Hat Upkeep & Storage

Whether you shoved your felt in the caverns of your closet, left it in its old hat box, or you’ve been eyeing it on your hat rack for months, chances are it needs some loving care. Bring your felt to your local Cavender’s and check out our hat bar. Our experienced hat bar associates can help you by brushing up a dusty hat, touching up its shape, or helping you find a new felt just in time for fall. If you aren’t quite sure what shape you need check out our How to Shape a Cowboy Hat blog.

It’s a good idea to stay on top of hat care to increase the lifespan of your hats. Be sure to store your felt in a dry temperature-controlled area and away from harm. A hat sponge will come in handy when it’s time to pull the felt from storage and it’s an affordable hat upkeep tool. We offer a two-pack for dusting off lighter color felts and darker-colored felts, this will prevent cross-contamination of fibers and debris.

Now, when it comes to storing away your felt or straw when seasons change we have plenty of options. The hat carrier is a go-to for most of our customers, this option protects your hat from harm and is great for storing. Now, if you are more of an on-the-go hat wearer the hat backpack is the best option for you. Looking for Western decor ideas? Look no further than the hat rack. Store up to 3 of your favorite hats right on your wall for easy access and add a touch of Western flair to any room.

Fall Felts

If you are in the market for a new felt for the cooler months, we provide a variety of felt cowboy hats in a range of styles, colors, and shapes. Switch it up this fall and sport a navy-colored felt or a red-toned felt rather than the stand-by silver belly or black felt. Try out some of our top brands for size; Stetson, Rodeo King, Resistol, & our very own collection. If you aren’t sure what size you are or even where to start check out A Comprehensive Guide to Felt Hats blog or the How Should a Cowboy Hat Fit blog.

Make that seasonal switch from straw to felt today and check back in for some more Cowboy Hat Etiquette as seasons change and time-honored traditions arise. As always, for the best Western wear tips and tricks visit our Cavender’s Ranch 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.