The cowboy hat looks timeless, but it has a starting point and a fairly short history.
The Boss of the Plains
According to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Philadelphia hat maker John B. Stetson created the “Boss of the Plains” in 1865. It had a round, flat brim and a smooth, rounded crown, and it was made from fine fur felt that could stand up to hard weather.
How the shape changed
Out on the range, people shaped their hats to suit the work. Brims curved up at the sides so they would not get in the way of a rope, and crowns were pinched and creased so the hat was easier to grab and put back on. Those working changes are where today’s creases and brim curls come from.
From workwear to icon
Over time the cowboy hat moved well beyond ranch work, worn by rodeo riders, musicians and movie stars. The shapes multiplied, but the basics are the same: a good felt or straw body, a crown and crease, and a brim set to suit the wearer.
Curious how it all comes together? The videos below walk through hats being made, from factory lines to a custom shop.
Watch
Further reading
- History of the Cowboy Hat · National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
- Boss of the Plains · Wikipedia
- Stetson: The Eastern Hat That Tamed the West · Pennsylvania Center for the Book
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