How to Own the Perfect Western Hat

A well-fitting western hat is comfortable to wear, lightweight, and reflects your personal style. You can search to find the perfect western hat, or you can have one made for you. Whether you are a man or a woman, a hat maker can design, construct, fit, and customize a perfect western hat for you based on your specifications and the exact size and shape of your head. Here are some things to consider when getting a custom-made western hat:

Fit:  The perfect western hat starts with excellent fit. To get this fit, a hat maker will analyze and measure the shape of your head in several places:

• Circumference - This measurement is taken on the sides of your head from your forehead to the back of your head.
• Ear to Ear Top - This measurement is taken from the top of each ear and over the crown of your head.
• Ear to Ear Back - This measurement is taken from the top of each ear and around the back of your head.
• Forehead to Nape - This measurement is taken from the top of your forehead, over the crown of your head, to the nape of your neck.

Style and Shape:  Tell the hat maker how you wish to wear your new western hat. Do you like the band of your hat to sit just above your ears or farther up on your head? Do you like to wear your hat straight on your head, or tilted forward, backward, or sideways? How tall do you want the crown of your hat? Do you want the crown to be perfectly domed or have creases and dents? Do you like the brim to be flat, rolled, plain, or bound with ribbon or stitching? All of these different options will help the hat maker to design a western hat specifically for you.

Materials:  Tell the hat maker what materials you wish to have in your new hat. Traditionally, western hats were made as follows:

• Felt hats are made from sheep or llama wool that has been rolled and pressed with steam and heat to bind the fibers together to make a very strong material.
• Fur hats blend rabbit, beaver, muskrat, or nutria fur, into felted wool to make a durable material.
• Leather hats are made from the hide of a sheep or lamb that has been textured and tanned.
• Straw hats are woven from hemp, raffia, jute, palms, seagrass, or other plant fibers.

Craftsmanship:  A custom-made western hat will be completely hand cut and sewn to your specifications. The crown of the hat will be shaped and formed with steam and heat over a wood form and can be tall or short. The hat can be fitted with a fabric lining for comfort or you can wear it without a lining. The brim of the hat can be left plain, folded over, or edged with binding. A western hat can be fitted with a hat band that sits on the lower edge of the crown where it meets the brim. For a one-of-a-kind look, some hat makers can also paint or sew designs on the brim and crown of your new hat.

You can get a well-fitting western hat from local or online hat makers like JC Western Wear that specialize in making custom hats. An online hat maker will tell you how to measure your head and show you the styles and materials of the hats that they make. With a bit of research, you can own a custom-made western hat that will be a pleasure to wear for many years and will last a lifetime.