In 1865 the cowboy hat was born. However, the felting process was stumbled upon much earlier than that. Legend has it that the 4th Bishop of Rome in the 15th Century (St. Clement) put raw wool in his shoes to keep his feet protected while he walked for miles. At the end of the journey, he realized the sweat and friction of his feet had bound the wool fibers together.
Other people soon began creating sturdy clothing, tents, and hats from this felting process, using fur instead of wool. When North America became a major source of beaver pelts, it was discovered that beaver is an ideal fur for the felting process. It is dense but light and binds together very tightly, holding its shape well. Additionally, it becomes water resistant after felting, an ideal quality for hats.
In the early 1700’s, hatters would begin the felting process by dipping the furs in a mercury nitrate solution. When the fur was later steamed, mercury fumes were released into the air and the hatters’ lungs. Most hatters eventually acquired mercury poisoning, characterized by shakiness, weak limbs, mental imbalance, and sometimes death. This is where the expression “Mad as a Hatter” arose. In 1941, the United States finally banned the use of mercury nitrate in hatmaking, allowing hatters to retain their health and sanity.
The first cowboy hat, created in 1965, quickly gained the label “Boss of the Plains” as its popularity shot up. The wide brim and water resistant felt provided excellent protection for the cattlemen of the west, both on sunny and rainy occasions. The inner hatband absorbed their perspiration while protecting the hat and providing a better fit.
Today, cowboy hats are made with straw, leather, and their original fur-based felt. Most hats come adorned with a small decorative hat band encompassing the crown, however many people add a more elaborate one of their own choosing. Some hats also have “stampede strings” or “wind strings” which help secure the hat during blustery days. In general, though, the cowboy hats of today remain near replicas of the original cowboy hat.
Kokopelli offers felt, straw, leather, and oilskin cowboy hats for men, women, and children. Our Aussie Adventures Oilskin hats are waterproof and utilize a Comfort Temp Sweatband to control your individual comfort. Whether you want UVA/UVB sun protection, rain resistance, or just a stylish hat, we are worth visiting. Here at Kokopelli, we provide many hat options and are happy to help you find the perfect fit and style.
Cowboy Hat Style Guide:
Tried on a hat before and didn’t like the way it looked? Like eyeglasses, the dimensions of the hat should match the person. Generally, there should be the same amount of hat above the brim as there is face below the brim, and the width of the hat should be narrower than your shoulders. Even the shape of the crown of the hat comes into play. A narrower crown generally looks better on someone with a wider jaw, and vice versa. In the end, though, it’s all about the overall look and whatever you like best. Many of our hats allow the brims to be shaped to provide a custom look.
Also be sure to check out our hatbands. Kokopelli carries horsehair, leather, and turquoise hat bands for customizable style.
Cowboy Hat Fit Guide:
Hats should feel comfortable and not too tight. They will shrink over time, and never stretch, so it is always better to go a little bit looser than too tight. We can always provide a foam strip to place inside the hat if you are in between sizes.
Cowboy Hat Maintenance:
When you store your cowboy hat or set it down, place it top-down. This will prevent the curved brim from becoming misshapen. Straw and leather cowboy hats are generally not cleaned, as they are meant to be replaced every few years. Better quality felt hats can be cleaned as needed and are meant to last for many years, if properly cared for. Kokopelli offers hat sponges and cleaning supplies to keep your cowboy hat looking good for years to come.
COWBOY HAT ETTIQUETTE
(According to Webster’s Dictionary)
There are two degrees of cowboy hat politeness:
1. Hat-lifting or tipping it, which you do for strangers.
2. Taking it off, which you do for friends.
Cowboy Hat Tipping:
Tipping your cowboy hat is done by barely lifting it off your head:
By the crown of a soft hat, or the brim of a stiff one.
Your cigarette, pipe or cigar should always be taken out of your mouth before removing or tipping your hat.
A man tips his cowboy hat:
(1) When walking with a friend who passes a woman only the friend knows;
(2) Any time a lady who is a stranger thanks you for some service;
(3) Any time you excuse yourself to a woman stranger, as in a crowded bus when you jostle her, or when you have to ask to crowd past;
(4) Any time a stranger shows courtesy to a woman you are with, such as when a man or woman picks up something she has dropped, or a man gives her his seat;
(5) When you ask a woman (or elderly man) for directions.
A man takes off his cowboy hat outdoors:
(1) When he is being introduced, or saying good-by;
(2) As a greeting when passing someone he knows on the street;
(3) When talking, particularly with a woman, an older man, or a clergyman;
(4) When the National Anthem is being played, or the flag is passing;
(5) At a burial, or (except in large cities) in the presence of a funeral procession.
Indoors, a man always takes off his cowboy hat, except:
(1) In public buildings, such as railroad stations or post offices;
(2) In entrance halls and corridors of office buildings or hotels;
(3) In elevators of public or office buildings. (You have to use your judgment about this, though. In a department store elevator full of women you might take it off. Also, if a woman you know gets into an office building elevator, you would probably take it off, and you certainly would do so if you started talking to her.)
Cowboy Hats
The Flash Player and a browser with Javascript support are needed.
History:
Cowboy Hat Sale
In 1865 the cowboy hat was born. However, the felting process was stumbled upon much earlier than that. Legend has it that the 4th Bishop of Rome in the 15th Century (St. Clement) put raw wool in his shoes to keep his feet protected while he walked for miles. At the end of the journey, he realized the sweat and friction of his feet had bound the wool fibers together.
Other people soon began creating sturdy clothing, tents, and hats from this felting process, using fur instead of wool. When North America became a major source of beaver pelts, it was discovered that beaver is an ideal fur for the felting process. It is dense but light and binds together very tightly, holding its shape well. Additionally, it becomes water resistant after felting, an ideal quality for hats.
In the early 1700’s, hatters would begin the felting process by dipping the furs in a mercury nitrate solution. When the fur was later steamed, mercury fumes were released into the air and the hatters’ lungs. Most hatters eventually acquired mercury poisoning, characterized by shakiness, weak limbs, mental imbalance, and sometimes death. This is where the expression “Mad as a Hatter” arose. In 1941, the United States finally banned the use of mercury nitrate in hatmaking, allowing hatters to retain their health and sanity.
The first cowboy hat, created in 1965, quickly gained the label “Boss of the Plains” as its popularity shot up. The wide brim and water resistant felt provided excellent protection for the cattlemen of the west, both on sunny and rainy occasions. The inner hatband absorbed their perspiration while protecting the hat and providing a better fit.
Today, cowboy hats are made with straw, leather, and their original fur-based felt. Most hats come adorned with a small decorative hat band encompassing the crown, however many people add a more elaborate one of their own choosing. Some hats also have “stampede strings” or “wind strings” which help secure the hat during blustery days. In general, though, the cowboy hats of today remain near replicas of the original cowboy hat.
Kokopelli offers felt, straw, leather, and oilskin cowboy hats for men, women, and children. Our Aussie Adventures Oilskin hats are waterproof and utilize a Comfort Temp Sweatband to control your individual comfort. Whether you want UVA/UVB sun protection, rain resistance, or just a stylish hat, we are worth visiting. Here at Kokopelli, we provide many hat options and are happy to help you find the perfect fit and style.
Cowboy Hat Style Guide:
Tried on a hat before and didn’t like the way it looked? Like eyeglasses, the dimensions of the hat should match the person. Generally, there should be the same amount of hat above the brim as there is face below the brim, and the width of the hat should be narrower than your shoulders. Even the shape of the crown of the hat comes into play. A narrower crown generally looks better on someone with a wider jaw, and vice versa. In the end, though, it’s all about the overall look and whatever you like best. Many of our hats allow the brims to be shaped to provide a custom look.
Also be sure to check out our hatbands. Kokopelli carries horsehair, leather, and turquoise hat bands for customizable style.
Cowboy Hat Fit Guide:
Hats should feel comfortable and not too tight. They will shrink over time, and never stretch, so it is always better to go a little bit looser than too tight. We can always provide a foam strip to place inside the hat if you are in between sizes.
Cowboy Hat Maintenance:
When you store your cowboy hat or set it down, place it top-down. This will prevent the curved brim from becoming misshapen. Straw and leather cowboy hats are generally not cleaned, as they are meant to be replaced every few years. Better quality felt hats can be cleaned as needed and are meant to last for many years, if properly cared for. Kokopelli offers hat sponges and cleaning supplies to keep your cowboy hat looking good for years to come.
COWBOY HAT ETTIQUETTE
(According to Webster’s Dictionary)
There are two degrees of cowboy hat politeness:
1. Hat-lifting or tipping it, which you do for strangers.
2. Taking it off, which you do for friends.
Cowboy Hat Tipping:
Tipping your cowboy hat is done by barely lifting it off your head:
By the crown of a soft hat, or the brim of a stiff one.
Your cigarette, pipe or cigar should always be taken out of your mouth before removing or tipping your hat.
A man tips his cowboy hat:
(1) When walking with a friend who passes a woman only the friend knows;
(2) Any time a lady who is a stranger thanks you for some service;
(3) Any time you excuse yourself to a woman stranger, as in a crowded bus when you jostle her, or when you have to ask to crowd past;
(4) Any time a stranger shows courtesy to a woman you are with, such as when a man or woman picks up something she has dropped, or a man gives her his seat;
(5) When you ask a woman (or elderly man) for directions.
A man takes off his cowboy hat outdoors:
(1) When he is being introduced, or saying good-by;
(2) As a greeting when passing someone he knows on the street;
(3) When talking, particularly with a woman, an older man, or a clergyman;
(4) When the National Anthem is being played, or the flag is passing;
(5) At a burial, or (except in large cities) in the presence of a funeral procession.
Indoors, a man always takes off his cowboy hat, except:
(1) In public buildings, such as railroad stations or post offices;
(2) In entrance halls and corridors of office buildings or hotels;
(3) In elevators of public or office buildings. (You have to use your judgment about this, though. In a department store elevator full of women you might take it off. Also, if a woman you know gets into an office building elevator, you would probably take it off, and you certainly would do so if you started talking to her.)