Cowboy Hats and More

While most people think cowboys originated in the United States, in truth, cowboys originated elsewhere but were popularized in America.  Cowboys are of Spanish descent, and the first cowboys were herders and rangers who rode across the rolling plains of Spain with their trusty horses and cowboy felt hats.  The need to drive vast herds of cattle came to the U.S. with the westward expansion, and soon cowboys were popularized in the Southwestern United States.  While there were not as many cowboys by the 1900s, the cowboy became an idol of America and the western world. 

Cowboys were made even more popular with the coming of actors like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, who popularized the Western movie.  Nowadays, Westerns are still quite a popular genre, with movies like 3:10 to Yuma (remake) and Appaloosa generating media buzz and significant revenues.  All this started with the classic cowboy model with their rugged appeal and spirit. 

No cowboy would be caught dead without their trusty cowboy hat, and the cowboy hat is what identifies each cowboy as unique.  Cowboy hats come in thousands of different styles, and with a unique hat, you’re sure to be recognized as an original and not just an imitator.  Custom cowboy hats are quite popular, and available from a number of places both online and in retail establishments.  When it comes to custom Western hats (one of the most popular styles) you can adjust the color, brim style, brim size, brim edge, trim, hat band, and even add a strap or make the hat look more weathered.  With these options, it’s easy to create a unique look.

You might even find yourself able to recognize a cowboy from afar by their hat alone.  Even modern cowboys will find enjoyment in personalizing their own custom Western hat; you’ll be the hit of the party, dance, or even rodeo!

Let’s have a party! That’s what I always say at least. I love planning parties, especially when they’re for my children. My youngest son has a birthday coming up next month and I plan on giving him the best party that’s been had since the times of the Wild West. Yep, it’s going to be a cowboy theme.My son is going to love the party.

He and everyone else there will be dressed up like cowboys and cowgirls. All I need to do is order some old west hats online, buy a cake and prepare some grub - and I am set.

Ever since I was a young boy I have wanted to be like one of those Australian Outback heros I used to see in the movies. Those guys were so cool. They really made me want to wrestle kangaroos and round up wombats. As I grew older I realized it wasn’t likely I would ever be one of these heros. Instead, I was destined to live out my existence here in good old Indiana.

Don’t get me wrong, America is a great place and I love to live here, but even as an adult I desire the wide-open spaces of Australia. You may not believe this, but I have figured out a way to play make believe that I am in Australia without leaving my stark Indianpolis apartment. All I had to do was buy a couple outback hats. Whenever I put on these hats I am instantly trasported to the glorious Australian desert. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my fantasy that I don’t even hear the wail of the sirens outside and the baby upstairs ceases to cry.

Without a doubt, the two actors who defined the Western film genre were John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.  Before these two hit the silver screen, the Western was only an idea in the backs of director’s minds.  John and Clint brought the Western to life with their portrayal of memorable characters in films like The Shootist and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  Though Clint Eastwood is still alive and has since acted in and directed a number of great films beyond his Western days, John Wayne stands immortalized in bronze at the John Wayne Airport and in the hearts of millions of Americans. 

The apparel that these two wore in their films, including the traditional western hat, cowboy boots, and leather jacket has been celebrated as a central part of American culture.  While you can argue that most of America’s was popularized in other countries before it was here, the Western aesthetic began in Spain, but was made famous by America. 

Here are some great ideas for a Cowboy Christmas focused party. Imagine sentimental country Christmas songs playing in the background:

1.  Check out cookbooks for some delicious Tex-Mex holiday appetizers or meals. Ribs for Christmas, why not?
2. Dance to Boot Scootin’ Boogie or other fun line dancing song
3. Decorate the tree in cowboy hat and boot ornaments–the kids can even make them!
4. Use cowboy boots as a buffet table centerpiece –fill them with dried flowers and thistle stalks, tie them with a ribbon and attach a cow bell.
5. An even better centerpiece is a cowboy hat lined with clean tissue paper and filled with walnuts and fruit (oranges, apples, grapes) — A Winchester crown might work well by providing stability and comfortable capacity.

There’s a cowboy hat style for every occasion. Sometimes you want to get dressed up and go out on the town.  For that you’ve got your finest, best quality cowboy hat. But then, there are times that you just need to get out and get the job done or go out and play hard. For those times a crushable cowboy hat is best.

Crushable wool cowboy hats have the same western styling that you are familiar with,  but they are more casual and designed for more relaxed environments. Made of wool instead of felt, they can be twisted or sat upon and still return to their original shape. Crushable cowboy hats are less expensive and yet are still durable. While they wont last forever, they will last a long time.

For all of the older gentlemen out there who are looking for a way to feel young again, here are a few holiday gift ideas designed to make them look or feel like the years haven’t taken their toll.

~Custom Fedora Hats – feel like Indiana Jones or Eliot Ness with the classic fedora hat, soon they’ll want a bull whip or a stiff drink to go with it! 

~IPod Touch – these simple music and media devices are great for people of all ages.  With a touch screen, it’s easy to figure out what you want to do, most of the interface is just touch-and-go.

~Multi-Tools – having the latest and coolest multi tool for jobs around the house, camping, or opening a sealed package makes a guy feel valued.

Who says cowboys have gone out of style?  Heck there’s thousands of cowboys attending rodeos, riding bulls, and roping calves all over the country.  Though it might be rare to see a cowboy walking around in an urban metropolis, the traditional cowboy values and culture are still preserved in rural locations around the United States.  Cowboys represent a certain freedom, ruggedness, and defiance that characterized the westward expansion and the pioneer values that made America one great country. 

If you’re interested in dressing like a cowboy for a special occasion, or just to experience some of what the real cowboys felt, there are several outfitters that sell cowboy clothing. 
The traditional cowboy outfit consists of the cowboy hat (of course), chaps, boots and spurs, and a handkerchief draped around the neck to protect against dust.

When you want to step out on the town you have several choices.
First find your personal style and then pick your hat.

- Humphrey Bogart and Indiana Jones: The Fedora:
Made of warm felt with a wide brim and a deep indentation in the crown, or top part of the hat.

- Sean Connery or Rex Harrison (very British, very scholarly: The Trilby
Similar to the fedora, but with a narrower brim and more compact shape.

- Alex de Large in A Clockwork Orange: The Derby (a.k.a.  a Bowler)
The derby has a hard felt crown and rounded brim.
Los Angeles’ famous Brown Derby restaurant, built to resemble a giant derby hat.

- Old Florida and the Caribbean relaxed style: The Panama
Made from straw, it is light and breezy enough for tropical climates.
It is also frequently seen worn by salsa, swing, and samba musicians.

- Barbershop Quartets: The Boater
Another straw hat, with a hard shape and silk band around the crown.

- Abraham Lincoln: The Top Hat
A large vertical crown and narrow brim.

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