Cowboy and Western Hats

Several style characteristics are found in every hat. The width and the slope of the brim determines how much protection you’ll receive from the sun, wind, and rain.

The crown of the hat is the top, which may be deep or shallow. Hats have open (unshaped) crowns which are then shaped or “bashed” and creased by the hat manufacturer to provide more personality to a hat style.

The Indiana Jones bash on a Fedora hat is different than the Crocodile Dundee bash on an Akubra hat. Many country music stars have unique hats which become part of their country music brand. Wei’s stocks the George Strait hat, John Wayne hat, Jason Aldean hat, and many others.

The hat may have eyelets or air holes around the mid-crown of the hat to keep your head cool, so it can fit tightly but still breathe. Some hats have attachments for optional chin straps, also called Stampede strings.

On the bottom of the crown a hatband is often attached, and stitched to hold it in place. Hatbands can provide more structure and protection for the crown, and also add style by defining it. They are available in many materials. Most often hat bands are made from some type of leather to stand up to outside weather.

Most hat colours are a shade of black, brown or cream, but Wei’s also stocks sassy red, soulful blue and other colours to suit your style. Of course a black hat will attract more heat from the sun. A lighter colour will attract less heat but dirt will stand out. Neutral colours of black, dark brown or taupe (often called fawn) will go with more clothing colours.

Heads come in an incredible variety of sizes and shapes, and hats do their best to fit them.

To measure your size, take a piece of string and wrap it around your head, going above your ears and over your eyebrows until the string meets the starting point. Hold the end point of the string and measure it, beginning to end, on a ruler. Based on that measurement and the hat's size chart, you can find your best fit. 

Hats made in Australia are measured in centimeters (cm) and hats made in the USA are measured in inches, for example 7-3/8. Find your closest and most comfortable fit. The fit can be tightened by fitting a card or other material inside each side of the sweatband.

Any hat is bound to collect some dirt, dust, sweat and general grime, therefore any hat will have a longer life when you provide some regular care for it. Ensure any brushes or cloths are free of oils and not overly damp. For a felt hat, use a soft brush in a counterclockwise motion.

Wei’s stocks specialized synthetic cleaning sponges and hat protectors to extend the life of your hat. Have a question about our hats? We’re happy to help. Just drop us a line. 

More than fashionable, hats are incredibly functional, protecting you from the sun, rain, and snow. There are many factors that go into the design of a hat, including the material, the shape and many design factors that make a hat more wearable and comfortable and last longer. How you care for your hat will also affect the lenth of its service to you.

Outdoors hats are most often made from felt, or from straw.

Felt is usually from rabbit, hare, fox or beaver, made from downy softer underside and is inherently water resistant with fibres interlocking in every direction to help keep the animal dry and warm. This fur is found close to the skin, underneath what is usually thought of as the fur on the outside of the animal which is longer, coarser and less water resistant.

Furs are graded by quality, including strength and colour. In the USA, felt grades are often defined by a number of Xs, but these Xs are not used in most Australian hats.

Then this special fur is made into felt using different wet or dry processes to align and condense the fibres. The felt is made more pliable by working it, often with a combination of handmade and machine processes, contributing to the overall quality of the hat. The density of the best felts offer excellent rain and sun protection and this quality will increase the price.

Some lightweight felt hats may be treated with Scotchguard or a similar product to help increase water resistance of the felt. Felt can even be synthetically made but most hat enthusiasts feel the quality is not the same as rabbit or fox felt.

As an option to felt, hats can be made from straw or other land or water grasses or reeds Each of these will have their own inherent structural qualities. The grasses are woven into a looser or tighter weave to provide more protection or breathability. The material can be treated provide even more weather protection. Oilskin hats, usually made from treated cotton, are also famous for repelling water.

Inside the hat, the sweatband is the only part of the hat actually touching the head. Sweatbands should be made of quality leather for breathability and durability. A quality sweatband also conforms to the shape of the head, increasing comfort. A good quality hat will have a ‘reed” inside the bottom of the sweatband which provides sweatband structure.

Cowboy hats are a Western must-have work and style accessory these days, but they weren’t always. In fact, the cowboy hat originates from the Vaqueros, or Mexican cowboys, who would wear wide-brimmed crowned sombreros to protect themselves as they worked in the hot sun all day long. The hat has evolved over the years, having been worn by ranchers, bandits, and cowboys alike, to result in today’s stylish and practical hat that’s become a Western icon and staple.

Cowboy hats can be worn on a number of occasions. In fact, cowboy hats can often be worn in most situations out West, from formal to casual and everything in between. It’s important to note a few rules around wearing your cowboy hat, such as the fact that anytime you enter a building (restaurants especially), you should remove your hat. If the occasion is casual, you can put your hat back on, and same goes if you’re just eating a meal at a counter in a restaurant rather than a table. You can wear your cowboy hat out to eat, to bars, to formal events, to work, and more. A cowboy hat is not only a sign of hard work and fortitude, but it’s also a style staple for many.

Most cowboy hats are designed to withstand some wetness. After all, they’re made to be worn outdoors. However, you definitely want to avoid getting cowboy hats soaking wet, as it can warp the material and leave unsightly water spots. Felt cowboy hats should be patted dry to remove any excess water and then allowed to air dry. Once dry, you can brush the felt clean to prevent water spots. Be sure to never put away a wet cowboy hat without properly drying it first or it can easily mildew.

There’s no shortage of cowboy hat types, and you’re sure to find a style you love. The most common types of cowboy hats are the Cattleman, the Gus, and the Pinched Front. The Cattleman is one of the most popular cowboy hats out there and has the most traditional style. You’ll notice a taller, more narrow crown and a distinct middle crease with two parallel creases down each side.

This is a great style for formal events, like weddings. The Gus is similar to the Cattleman, but has a sloped crown. The third most common type of cowboy hat is the Pinched Front, is a classic style that combines the tear-drop and diamond crown, along with partial dents on each side. Wei’s stocks many types of cowboy hats, including these most common styles, so you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from.