Old West Hat History.  There has been a long competitive history between Stetson Hats and Resistol Hats. Maybe it was preordained that they would one day combine under one roof. John B Stetson invented the broad brim hat, because he was broke, knew how to make hats, and was tired of getting his head wet while mining for gold. Turns out that his cure for the aggravation of weather made him a fortune by returning him to his hat making roots. (I'm told he left the East, as a hatmaker, to find his fortune panning for gold in the West.)  Boys in Texas decided that Missouri couldn't have all the fun. They started Resistol hats for all those cattle drive cowboys. Resistol figured a way to keep your head oil from staining the hat so fast by using spacers that separated the inner hat band from the straw.
 (resist oil hats). Stetson lost sales because that resist oil feature was a better sizing system. Cowboys liked it better than the shoestring you pulled up in the back of your Stetson. Then Stetson developed more styles, more comfort features, a better marketing system... 

On it went for about a century. Both companies out doing the other! Today, we wear the benefit of all the innovation of both companies. Hats cost less in today's dollars than they did way back then. A ten gallon hat was really ten Spanish coins, (Galleons), about a month's wages.  "Green" environmentally friendly resins have replaced what used to be used to hold the straw  together. Many straw hats are easier to reshape than they used to be. (You still need some steam.) And, your straw hat is still hand woven by skilled craftsmen who examine and size and blend each fiber for you. They come in a few dyed colors as well as the most popular natural. Hats cost less in today's dollars than they did way back then. A ten gallon hat was really ten Spanish coins, (Galleons), about a month's wages. 

How to fit your size.  Western hats are available In Sizes:  6 3/4 - 7 5/84, (some in 6 5/8 and 7 3/4).   If you are not sure of your size, just take a soft ruler tape and measure around your head where you prefer it to fit. Most people will go around the biggest part of the back of their head, and be about 2 to 3 fingers (turned sideways) above their eyebrow.  We can convert these inch measurements to your hat size for you. You want to be able to pull your hat down in a windstorm, but wear it a little more loose in normal weather. Some people like to tilt it back a little when they relax. Then wear it more square when business need to be done!

When you see options of several colors in a Straw Hat style, you can expect the hatband, ribbons and such to complement the color shown.  Some will be Natural with a couple hatband color options. Some offer 3.5" or 4" brim widths. But, cowboys have always carved their own uniqueness. Part of that is in customizing your hatband. If you need help, or want to see more selections, just call us or check out some of the hatbands on our website. 

How do I care for My Hat? Hats are as much fun to own as they are to buy. Most straws can be lightly washed with water, and a mild detergent if needed. Click here to take a look at cleaners, stiffners, hat racks, boxes, brushes and such. Because we have spent 30 years cleaning hats, just give us a chat to ask what you might need if you are not sure. You will be amazed how nice they look with a simple brim brushing. After every so many rainstorms, you may need to apply another light coat of hat stiffener. Always remember that like painting a car, you want to use a lot of light coats.

Straw hats are absorbent. They soak up sweat and stains in the same fibers that wick the moisture away from your head. This wicking and evaporation is why hats seem to be comfortably cool in the hot sun. Once stained, you can only cover the coloration. You know, there are hats they make to look all stained when you first get them. And can you believe they do charge extra for that!

Any other questions? Just write them down and shoot us an email. It's your questions that wind up as comments on the Cultured Cowboy site.

HAT SIZES