The crease is the shape pressed into the top of the crown. It is the first thing people notice about a cowboy hat, and knowing a few names makes it much easier to ask for what you want.
The common creases
Cattleman
The classic. A single crease runs front to back down the center of the crown, with a dent on each side. It reads as traditional and works on almost anyone.
Gus
The crown sits taller at the back and slopes down toward the front, with dents that pinch in near the front. It has an old-time, trail-driving look.
Pinch front
Two dents pinched together at the front of the crown, often forming a teardrop or diamond shape from above. It is easy to grab and common on dress and everyday hats alike.
Open crown
No crease at all: a smooth, rounded crown. Many early Western hats were sold this way and shaped by the owner.
The brim matters too
A crease is only half the shape. Brims range from nearly flat to a deep curl at the sides, and the same crease can look very different depending on how the brim is set.
Photos help more than names. Bring or send a picture of a shape you like, from the front and the side, and say which parts matter most to you.
A crease that has collapsed or gone lopsided can often be reshaped. See what we look at on a hat, or start a request.
Watch
Further reading
- Cowboy Hats: Styles, Shapes, Crowns and Creases · American Hat Makers
- Cowboy Hats Styles & Shapes: What to Know · Tecovas
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