Western Show Shirts
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Equestrian Fashionista * Horse Community & Women's Promotion Blog

Women’s Western Show - Fashion Blog for Western Style in the Horse Arena and all things Horse Show-related and pertaining to Women and western fashion with bling.

Cowboy Hats 101: The Ultimate Western Show Hat Starter Guide

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Guide to selecting the right felt hat for your next western show

Comprehensive Starter Guide to Owning a Cowboy Hat:

Introduction - learning the basics of cowboy hat ownership

What to Expect from this Article - useful hat information & etiquette tips to make you a better and more knowledgeable hat owner.

Cowboy Hat Starter Guide

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Cowboy Hat Starter Guide 〰️

This is ME with one of my precious little ladies wearing the custom show tops I made & while having a chat, she asked to try on my hat.


COWBOY HAT BLOG SERIES

This Blog will explain:

  • Hat Terminology - learning the anatomy of a cowboy hat

  • General Hat Information - materials, types & quality of cowboy hats

  • Hat Shapes - overview of hat crown & brim shapes

  • Hat Sizing & Fit - measurements, proper fit & sizing chart

  • Hat Care & Maintenance - proper handling, cleaning & more

  • Hat Storage & Transport - storage ideas & transport options

  • Hat Tips & Suggestions - need to know info for all hat owners!


Anatomy of a Cowboy Hat

  • Crown - the domed portion of the hat, usually around ~4½”-5¾” tall

  • Crease and Dents - the dimple and depressions at the top of the hat

  • Brim - the ring around the outside of the crown usually ranges from 3¾”-4½” long

  • Hat Band - the decorative band around the OUTSIDE of the crown

    • The hat band clip will be found on the left side of the hat

  • Sweatband - the leather ring around the INSIDE of the brim


General Cowboy Hat Information

 

Types & Material -  Straw vs. Felt

Straw hats - best for keeping cool during summer

Straw hats are lighter & well-vented

    • Often worn between Memorial Day - Labor Day

    • Usually cooler & more affordable than felt hats, but don’t last as long

    • Not common in Western Shows - occasionally in Reining


Felt hats - these hats are often a combination of felt or wool + other furs 

 

Felt hats can include beaver, hare, buffalo & mink

 
    • More often worn between Labor Day - Memorial Day

    • These hats are generally warmer & more expensive but last longer than straw hats

    • Most common Western show hat - year round


We Use Felt Hats for Western Shows

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We Use Felt Hats for Western Shows 〰️


The Quality - Felt hats - X Rating

 

Bailey’s 100x “Legacy” hat - 100% pure beaver

 

XX ~ Beaver is better ~ XX 

  • The higher the number of X’s = the higher overall quality of the hat

  • Indicates a higher % beaver fur - often the actual % beaver, but not always

  • Beaver is lighter, shapes easier & holds its shape longer

  • Beaver is softer & more velvety

  • Beaver is more water resistant

  • Beaver is stronger, more durable & will last longer (many years)


How many ~ XXX ~ do I need to Show Horses?

  • Cowboy hats range from pure felt (0x) to pure beaver (100-1000x)

  • A decent show hat could range from 10-20x

  • Beginners may start with a lower X rating hat

  • Advanced exhibitors may want a higher X rating hat


Checkout our other post on discovering Cowboy Hat Brands & Retailers


“A better quality hat is actually much lower maintenance”

Cowboy Hat Shapes

 
Learn about Cowboy Hat Crown and Brim Shapes

Hat Crown Shapes

  • “Open Crown” - all cowboy hats start with a smooth, round top - some stay this way

    • Most crowns are then creased & shaped to the owners preference

  • “Gambler” aka Telescope - a large, flat circular depression that shortens & squares the crown

  • “Gus” - old west original hat crown with 3 forward depressions

  • “Teardrop” aka Pinch Front - teardrop shaped depression found in fedoras

  • “Brick” - a brick-shaped depression atop the crown, worn by bull riders

  • “Cattleman” - The classic cowboy hat found everywhere at Western Shows

    There are many others & countless variations of the above crown shapes


The “Cattleman Crown” is the most defining shape of the Western all-around Show Hat

Hat Brim Shapes

  • “Buckaroo” - completely flat brim all the way around

  • “Rancher” - low roll, slightly curved brim shape

  • “Bull Rider” - wide brim with low sides

  • “Reiner Low Sides” aka Low Rodeo - wide, small slant

  • “Cutter” - brim angle between reiner low sides & reiner high sides

  • “Reiner High Sides” - Brim sides are high but not quite to 90

  • “Western Pleasure” aka Showmanship show crease / “taco” shaped hat


Brim shapes should be carefully shaped & maintained to compliment your features

Cowboy Hat Sizing & Fit

 
 

Proper Fit

  • Snug enough so it won’t easily fall off

  • Loose enough to not leave a mark

  • It should be comfortable & match your head shape


Hat Opening Shapes

 
  • Oval - this shape will fit many heads but not all

  • Long Oval - it’s hard to fit this shape on a round head

  • Round - it’s hard to fit this shape on a narrow head

  • Padding - foam or tape can be added to the sweatband for final fit


 

Measuring your head

 
  • Your hat should sit level on your head, ~½” above your ears

  • Measure the circumference of your head at the level your hat will sit

  • Compare your number to the size chart below to learn your hat size


Cowboy Hat Sizing Chart

Cowboy hat sizing chart

cowboy hat sizes:

  • Small: 6 ¾ - 6 ⅞ inches

  • Medium: 7 - 7 ⅛ inches

  • Large: 7¼ - 7 ⅜ inches

  • XL: 7 ½ - 7 ⅝ inches


Cowboy Hat Care & Maintenance

 

The art of caring for your Western show hat transforms not just your appearance in the arena but also your hat's lifespan & performance.


Handle Your Show Hat With Care

 
  • Handle with care - although quality hats are tough, they are susceptible to scuffs & stains

  • Wash your hands - skin oils can get onto your hat and attract grime & residues which can be very difficult to remove

  • Handle your hat by the crown, not the brim to retain shape & avoid stains

  • If you must set it down, set it on the crown, not the brim

It’s absolutely paramount that your show hat stays extremely clean & tidy

Inspect your hat regularly - preventative maintenance

  • Regularly inspect your hat for signs of wear or damage

  • Addressing minor issues promptly can prevent them from becoming major concerns

  • Spot clean your hat with baby wipes ASAP after noticing a stain


Moisture & Felt Hats

  • Avoid getting lower quality hats wet (rain, sweat, humidity)

  • ALWAYS Dry your hat after use - set on it’s crown until completely dry

  • Do not store felt hats in plastic bags


Cleaning your hat

 
 

Clean your hat after each use & again before storing

  • Hat Sponge - use only on lower quality hats (6x and under)

  • Hat Brush - use a good horse-hair hat brush on all quality hats


For felt hats, use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove dust & dirt

How to Brush Your Hat

 
 
  • Always brush the brim TOP & crown COUNTER-clockwise

  • Always brush the UNDERSIDE of the brim CLOCKWISE

  • Keep your sponges & brushes from your light & dark hats SEPARATE!

Last seen priced at $19 at NRSworld.com

Light Brush for Light Hats

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Dark Brush for Dark Hats

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Light Brush for Light Hats 〰️ Dark Brush for Dark Hats 〰️


Hat Deep Clean

 
Use Tape to clean your Felt Western Show Cowboy Hat
Dark Hat Foaming Cleaner Spray for Felt Cowboy Hats
  • Use TAPE or a lint roller to lift dust & debris off your hat

  • Use a hat brush with bristle color that matches the hat

  • Felt hat foam cleaner can be carefully used (on dark hats)

    • spray evenly, let dry for 5 seconds, brush off immediately


Odor Management

Use Baking Soda to deodorize your cowboy hat
  • Always let your hat dry completely

  • Lightly sprinkle the interior with baking soda, let it sit overnight & gently vacuum it out

  • This natural solution can absorb odors without damaging the felt


Routine Hat Maintenance

  • Should be professionally creased & cleaned 2x/year

  • Re-shaping - get this done regularly at horse shows

  • Fine grit sandpaper (220#) to smooth out scuffs and rough spots


Cowboy Hat Storage & Transport

 

Storage - in it’s original cardboard box, a plastic hat box, or on a hat rack  

 
Store your cowboy hat on a rack
 
  • Make sure your hat is completely dry before storage (or it could mold)

  • Use a hat rack for short term storage

  • cardboard box or plastic hat box for long-term storage


Hat Storage Conditions

  • Keep your hat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

  • Store in a climate controlled area if possible - hats don’t like environmental swings

  • DO NOT leave in the hot horse trailer - or a hot vehicle - It will SHRINK!


Transporting Your Hat:

  • When using a hard-sided case, consider a custom hat form insert that matches your hat's specific shape and size

  • This personalized support system offers unparalleled protection against deformation, ensuring your hat maintains its shape

  • Transport - in it’s original cardboard box or a plastic hat box  


Cowboy Hat Tips & Suggestions

 

Helpful Cowboy Hat Tips

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Helpful Cowboy Hat Tips 〰️

  • Keep baby wipes handy to quickly clean makeup, stains, etc.

  • Have a backup hat &/or practice hat ready just in case

  • Rotate hats to minimize wear

  • Seasonal Rotation: straw & felt hats can benefit from a seasonal rotation


“If nothing else, your hat MUST be CRISPLY shaped & CLEAN on show day”

More Hat Tips…

  • Know when to take it off

  • Never touch someone else’s hat…just don’t do it

  • Never stack your cowboy hats

  • Many say it’s bad luck to set your hat on a bed

Buy the best hat you can afford & shape it well!

Conclusion - In The next Article:

You Will learn More about:

  • Hat Style - considering everything color, size & shape, your structure, customization’s & trends

  • Hat Color Choices - complimenting your complexion & your horse while matching your outfit

  • Hat Size and Shape - details about Crown height & shape along with Brim length & shape

  • Uniquely You - dialing in your final hat shape to compliment your structure and facial features

  • Hat Customization’s - Hat bands, ……etching, embellishments and more

  • Current Hat Trends - What’s Hot & What’s Not in today’s top breed shows