Western & Cowboy Hats

Western & Cowboy Hats

Despite the storied myth of the American cowboy and their large "Ten Gallon" Western/Cowboy Hat, the most popular hat style of the Old West and American Frontier was actually the Bowler & Derby Hat. Other popular styles of the era included Gambler Hats, Open Crown Hats, Bolero & Gaucho Hats, as well as Mexican vaquero (cowboy) hat styles. The original Stetson hat, dubbed the "Boss of the Plains," was not invented until 1865 by John B. Stetson and it looked nothing like the styles depicted in Old Hollywood western films or those typically worn today. 

The Boss of the Plains Hat was made of water-repellent beaver felt and featured a flat wide brim and round (aka "open") crown possibly inspired by Spanish and Mexican cowboy styles previously brought to the Southwest. Stylistic details such as flared brims and pinching of the crown came later as wearers customized this and later hat styles to suit their specific needs. Popularity of the original Stetson Boss of Plains spread quickly due to their durability and function; within ten years, the name Stetson had become synonymous with the word "hat" west of the Mississippi River. 

So where did the idea of the American Cowboys and their oversized Western & Cowboy Hats come from? Well, from Hollywood, of course! Silent film stars like Tom Mix and Tim McCoy popularized tall-crowned and wide-brimmed "Ten Gallon" Western & Cowboy Hats in old Hollywood western films such as Sky High (1922) and The Law of the Range (1928). This historically inaccurate image of the American cowboy was so thoroughly perpetuated thereafter, that it became (and still is) intrinsic to the mythology of the Old American West. 

Today, Western & Cowboy Hats are still an iconic and extremely popular hat style. At Village Hat Shop you will find an incredible selection of over 200 unique Western & Cowboy Hat styles. Browse convenient categories like Made in the USA, Men's/Unisex, Women's, Straw, or Crushable styles. Shop major brands like Stetson, Bailey, Charlie 1 Horse, Eddy Bros, Renegade, Resistol, and more! No matter your price point or personal style, Village Hat Shop is proud to be your one-stop-shop for Western & Cowboy Hats!

For more on the iconic Western & Cowboy Hat style, check out our Iconic Hats: The Cowboy/Western Hat blog article!

See Also: Outback Hats, Open Crown Hats, Bolero & Gaucho Hats, Gambler Hats, Fedora Hats, Bowler & Derby Hats