Cowboy Hats and More

Derby’s are one of the most recognized styles of hats in history. It was the first rounded crown hat. Their beginings strectch back to 1850 when the Bowler Family of Southwark (England) designed it for William Coke of Norfolk. In the tradition of the time, the hat was originally named for the person for whom it was designed and, therefore, called a Coke hat. As the hat’s popularity grew, however, it became known as a Bowler hat. In the United States it became known as the “derby hat” and was worn by all classes of tradesmen and artisans. Now there are several varieties of derbies, including the popular Homburg style.

The term fedora is derived from a play by Victorien Sardou.  In the play, a heroine princess named Fedora wore a hat similar to the fedora hat.  The hat was being called fedora in the late nineteenth century, characterized by its front pinched on both sides, its wide brim, and often a hat band.  In the 1920s and 1930s, the hat was thought common to mobsters and gangsters running illegal alcohol and moonshine due to the prohibition.  Modern films like The Untouchables featured several characters wearing fedora style hats, including the main characters of Andy Garcia and Kevin Costner. 

Fedoras are still popular today, though fortunately not often associated with crime or mob activity.

Since its release in 1986, people around the world have been captivated by Mick “Crocodile” Dundee.  Characterized by his outback hat, crocodile skin vest, big knife, and unique outlook on life, the Crocodile Dundee was a big hit at the box office and became a cultural icon for the decade.  In recent years, a follow up film to the original Crocodile Dundee was released, placing the same characters in the urban environment of Los Angeles, though it was met with only moderate success.  Though the crocodile man from down under didn’t fare so well this time, the original films excite and entertain modern audiences as well

Paraphernalia from the show is still popular as it has become a standard stereotype for Australian people.  Though real Australians don’t wear crocodile skin garments and tote large skinning knives, it’s fun to think about people who do. 

A well loved and worn hat will inevitably become stained at some point (even a well made 20X cowboy hat). The key is to treat it kindly and act swiftly to remove the damage. The starting point is, of course, regular maintenance.  Invest in a good soft brush (never stiff — it will tear the fabric) and use it regularly to dust your hat. A dark colored brush works best for dark hats and a light brush on lighter hued hats.

If you prefer, you can use a damp towel with a slight nap to do the same job — rub in circular counter-clockwise motion to remove foreign particles.

A makeup sponge (or any small-pored sponge) works well for stubborn stains.  In a pinch even foam rubber can be used.  The often overlooked advantage of foam rubber is that it is slightly sticky and adheres well to surface soil. Art-gum erasers work well for the same reason … just remember to rub in a counter clockwise motion to the grain.

Staw hats can be kept clean and good looking with a few regular passes of a standard whisk broom.

Style is important, but fit is critical. Ever notice how well a cowboy’s hat stays on during rodeo events?  Even bull riders rarely loose their hats.  Of course, all hats go flying sometimes, but a good snug fit is essential … and it all starts with proper measurement.  Quality hats keep their size and shape. Here are a few tips on how to make sure that you choose the right size for your your head.

* Measure around your head approximately one finger above the ear and one finger above the eyebrow.
* Measure without any free space.
* Pull measuring tape comfortably snug. Remember, your hat will fit only as tightly as you measure.
* Note the inches and determine the right size using the sizing chart of the brand you intend to buy.
* If your measurement falls between sizes, choose the next largest size.
* To get the right fit, Measure Carefully!

A loose fitting hat is annoying and may blow off easily. If only a small adjustment is needed, placing cardboard or Styrofoam behind the hat’s inner band in the front and rear can sometimes correct the sizing.

Similarly, hats that are too tight may be stretched … a small amount.  Professional hat makers/ shapers can sometime make minor adjustments of one size or less. 

The key is to get the size right the first time. Always pull the measuring tape snugly against your head. Take measurements when your hair is in its usual condition. That is, if your hair is usually thick & curly, don’t measure your hat size when it is thin and straight for a special occasion (unless of course, the hat is for that special occasion).

If you want to see what real cowboys wear, check out a rodeo. There you will see cowboy hats of every style and fashion. Most often you will see a Timeless Cattleman style (a cattleman crown with southwestern brim).  You may see a few like the Big Duke Bull Rider  (duke crown with a bull rider brim). You may even see a few ladies sporting a Cowgirl Cattleman (cattleman crown with a southwestern brim and a candy pink bound edge). 

The variety of hat styles, trims and colors will give you an idea of what’s possible & what might fit you… the real world view of what a hat looks like when it’s worn.  Remember each cowboy hat should match the wearer’s style, personality and facial features. People watching at a rodeo can give you some new ideas.

If what you like isn’t shown in a catalog, design your own custom hat. It’s easy and you can have it at your door in just 4-6 weeks.

You see them on other people, and they look pretty good. In fact, they look kind of cool. But can you pull it off? You work in a downtown skyscraper, you drive a hybrid car and eat out every night. Is a cowboy hat really feasible in your lifestyle?It can be. But make sure to follow a few guidelines before you go out there and purchase the first gaudy, ostentatious hat you see.

Remember, smaller is always better. The bigger the hat, the more out of place you’re going to look. And keep your colors simple. Brown, black, beige and grey are classics. Don’t go for something multi-colored or neon. And avoid any kind of tassel, bow and braid. Keep your cowboy hats simple and classy, and you just might pull the look off.

Few hats invoke the same image of suavity and coolness as the fedora. Who didn’t feel a surge of emotion when Indiana Jones peered out from under his trademark brown one, or when Humphrey Bogart quietly wore the hat in a sea of fog? Even Freddy Krueger had enough fashion sense to don one. But the charming hat has been around a lot longer than these World War era icons would lead us to believe.Its roots are planted in an 1882 play by Victorien Sardou titled “Princess Fedora.” The title character wore a hat similar to the modern-day fedora, and lent it her name. The hat gained a stronghold in the early 20th century when it became a favorite accessory among the upper classes, and a staple of many Orthodox Jews. The hat took on another personality when it got involved with Prohibition-era gangsters and detectives, and became a symbol of scoundrels and rogues.
 
But as the century reached the ‘50s and ‘60s and progressed into middle-age, the hat fell out of favor and became a symbol of an older generation. It has been surging back in popularity in recent years, due in part to Hollywood’s use of fedora hats, and partly due to teenage fascination with the trendy felt hat.

Many Americans are fascinated with the Civil War, not just military history buffs.  TV shows and movies that are set or which document the Civil War are consistently achieve high ratings, and Civil War memorabilia is highly sought-after and extremely valuable.  Historical replicas are often prized collectibles for a casual collector.

Union or Confederate hats are available in many styles of the period, whether in the Old West style or reproductions of the ones the soldiers wore on the battlefield.  These hats are appropriate for historical reenactments, parades, plays, live history and fantasy events, or just as a conversation piece and enjoyable fashion accessory.