Cowboys

Texan Style: Discover the Emblematic Texas Cowboy Hats.

The Top 5 Best Cowboy Hats in TexasTexas is known for its cowboy culture, with wide open ranges, cattle drives, and rodeos aplenty. A key part of the cowboy’s iconic look is a high quality cowboy hat. These hats aren’t just about looks – they serve the functional purpose of shielding cowboys from the glaring Texas sun.

Cowboy hats come in many styles, but some of the most popular and traditional choices are made right here in Texas. From respected hat makers around the Lone Star State, here are 5 of the best cowboy hats made in Texas.

1. The Stetson Open Road

Founded in 1865, the John B. Stetson Company is one of the oldest and most respected hat makers in the United States. Based in Garland, Texas, Stetson is known for making high quality cowboy hats out of fur felts and straws.

One of their most iconic and beloved hat styles is the Open Road. This classic cowboy hat has a tall crown and wide brim, perfect for shading yourself from the Southwestern sun. The brim can be curved up or down according to your preference. These hats are made from durable fur felts that can withstand years of wear.

Open Road hats come in a variety of colors from standby black to poppy red. Custom options allow you to choose hat band and binding colors as well. For an authentic Texas cowboy hat, the Stetson Open Road is a top choice.

2. The Larry Mahan Trophy Hunter

World champion rodeo legend Larry Mahan teamed up with Texas hat makers Resistol to create his signature line of cowboy hats. The Trophy Hunter model is one of the most popular in Mahan’s collection.

This stylish cowboy hat features a tall tapered crown and a wide flat brim. It’s creased lengthwise down the center with a heavily curled brim to create a distinct look. The Trophy Hunter is made from premium beaver felt fur and comes in an array of colors from chocolate brown to light grey.

You can choose between a leather or grosgrain hat band. Each Larry Mahan Trophy Hunter is handcrafted for exceptional quality. Rodeo fanatics will appreciate the true cowboy heritage of this Resistol hat.

3. The Snowy River Stockman

Australian hat maker Snowy River brings their own Outback spirit to traditional American cowboy hats. The Snowy River Stockman blends unique Aussie style with cowboy functionality.

This hat has a short cattleman crown along with a wide brim to offer sun protection. It comes in a variety of earthy colors like bark, chestnut, and russet. The Stockman hat is made from high quality rabbit fur felt, making it lightweight yet durable.

A leather hat band and chin strap add style while keeping the hat secured in windy conditions. For cowboys who want something a little different from the usual hats, the Snowy River Stockman adds international flair.

4. The Milano Rio Grande

Texas hat maker Milano is known for producing meticulously handcrafted cowboy hats. The Rio Grande is one of their most beloved models, evoking old West heritage with modern style.

This elegant cowboy hat gets its name from the Rio Grande river valley where cattle drives passed through. It has a classically tall crown and flat brim. The Rio Grande is creased with a decorative diamond crown pinch.

Choose from premium hides like castor, black ostrich, and brown peccary. Customization options let you select hat bands, binding, and other details.

For cowboys who have an eye for quality and style, the Milano Rio Grande is a superior choice made right in the Lone Star State.

5. The Silver Star Hats Phoenician

Operating out of Houston, Texas, Silver Star Hats crafts unique cowboy hats by hand. Each hat is individually measured, cut, sewn, shaped, pressed, trimmed, and finished for a perfect custom fit.

The Phoenician is one of Silver Star’s standout designs for gents. This dignified cowboy hat has an elegant teardrop crown and a flat brim. It comes in a spectrum of rich colors like chocolate, navy blue, and elephant grey.

The Phoenician can be customized with different bands, binding, and liner options. The hat is beautifully crafted from quality rabbit or beaver fur felts. For a one-of-a-kind cowboy hat made just for you, choose the Silver Star Hats Phoenician.

What Makes a Quality Cowboy Hat?

When shopping for the best cowboy hats, here are a few key features to look for:

  • Materials – High quality materials like fur felt, straw, and leather make for durable, long lasting hats. Many superior hats use rabbit or beaver fur felts.
  • Crown Height – The crown should be tall enough to cast shade over your eyes and face. A minimum of 4″ is ideal, with 5″-6″ common on cowboy hats.
  • Brim Width – A wide brim offers more protection from sun and rain. 3″ – 4″ is standard for many cowboy hats.
  • Crease – The crease down the center of the crown adds shape. It allows the cowboy hat to be shaped and customized to your liking.
  • Hat Band – Leather or grosgrain bands not only add style but help secure the hat in windy weather.
  • Shaping – A high quality cowboy hat holds its shape when worn but springs back into form when taken off.
  • Craftsmanship – Handcrafting and custom fitting result in a superior hat made to last.

History of Cowboy Hats in Texas

The origins of the cowboy hat can be traced back to the 1860s when the wide open plains of Texas were being settled by ranchers. The sun was brutal and hats were needed for protection.

Early cowboy hats were practical affairs made of inexpensive materials like wool felt or straw. Vaqueros in Mexico had already been wearing tall crowned sombrero hats for centuries to shield from the desert sun. This influenced the development of cowboy hats.

John B. Stetson really put the cowboy hat on the map when he created the iconic Boss of the Plains model in 1865. This hat with its wide brim and high creased crown defined Western wear for cowboys. Stetson later helped popularize adding hat bands for further style.

As ranching culture boomed in Texas over the late 1800s, Stetson and other hat makers like Resistol and Milano helped evolve the cowboy hat into an enduring symbol of the Old West.

These companies gained reputations turning out high quality, durable cowboy hats from premium materials. They brought style and customization to a hat originally made purely for function.

The iconic cowboy hat remains a strong fashion statement today thanks to the rich heritage of hats flowing out of Texas hat making companies. Quality craftsmanship lives on in companies like Silver Star Hats that meticulously handcraft each hat.

For Texans and visitors alike, few things embody the spirit of the Lone Star State quite like an authentic cowboy hat – the Official State Hat of Texas.

Why Cowboys Wear Hats

Beyond making a bold fashion statement, cowboy hats serve important functional purposes:

Sun Protection – The wide brims and tall crowns provide shade from the intense Southwestern sun. Long days spent on horseback under the hot sun could lead to sun stroke without proper headwear.

Rain Protection – Felt absorbs moisture better than straw, while still shedding rain away from the rider’s face when tilted forwards. All cowboy hats offer better rain protection than going bareheaded.

Durability – Quality materials like felt and leather hold up to extensive outdoor wear and tear better than lighter fabrics. Cowboys rely on their rugged, weatherproof hats.

Wind Resistance – A well fitted, properly creased cowboy hat will stay on the rider’s head in high winds when secured with a hat band. Not losing your hat is crucial out on the open range.

Versatility – The interchangeable hat bands allow cowboys to modify the style and color of their hats when desired. But the hat shape itself remains constant.

Visibility – The light colors and broad brim help not only shield from sunlight but improve visibility of riders and cattle against the landscape.

For cowboys, a good hat is essential gear – as vital as a saddle, rope, or boots. Form follows function in the cowboy’s headwear but with plenty of signature style too.

Modern Cowboy Culture in Texas

While cattle drives and roundups still take place, today’s cowboys also carry on their Western heritage by competing in rodeos.

Texas has more rodeos than any other state, with Austin, Houston and Dallas all hosting major annual rodeo events. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world.

Modern cowboys wear their hats not just in the arena but on a daily basis. For many, putting on a high crown Resistol or Flat Top Stetson feels as natural as slipping on a pair of jeans.

Cowboy hats remain ubiquitous at county fairs,music festivals, and other events across Texas. They’re a cultural touchstone that connects the legendary Wild West to the Texas of today.

For visitors and transplants, picking up an authentic cowboy hat continues to be a quintessential Texas experience. Hats made in the Lone Star State carry on decades of history and craftsmanship in every perfect crease and smooth felt finish.

The cowboy life persists, and the cowboy hat endures as an iconic piece of Western lifestyle and Texas identity.

Finding Your Perfect Cowboy Hat

When ready to invest in a high quality cowboy hat of your own, keep these tips in mind:

  • Get accurately measured so you buy the ideal hat size for your head. Trying on in-store ensures proper fit.
  • Pick hat materials and colors suitable for your climate and lifestyle needs. Natural shades work in any setting.
  • Choose crown height and brim width based on your face shape and desired sun coverage area.
  • Decide if you want a pre-shaped hat or one you’ll shape yourself through creasing/curling.
  • Shop for customization options from hat band to liner so every detail reflects your personal style.
  • Research Texas hat maker backgrounds and reputations when you want true cowboy heritage.
  • Expect to invest $100 – $500 for a fur felt or straw cowboy hat of excellent quality.

Owning an authentic cowboy hat handcrafted in Texas makes a statement anywhere you go. With proper care it will last a lifetime and only improve with age. Whatever your preferred style, find the cowboy hat that speaks to your inner Texan spirit.

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