Talking Cowboy Hats with NRS World's Brian McNamee

As the leading online source for authentic, hand-creased cowboy hats, at NRSWorld.com we get a ton of questions from first-time buyers related to cowboy hats: how to choose one, how to maintain it, how to care for it, and so on. In a quest to answer your most common questions, We sat down with Brian McNamee, former Marketing Manager at American Hat Company and 'wearer of many hats' (pun intended) at NRS World, to talk all things cowboy hats- from their origins and etiquette for wearing to what they represent in western culture and the differences in felt and straw cowboy hats. 

A: "Absolutely. The cowboy hat is more than just a piece of headwear; to the world, it’s the most recognizable symbol of Western culture. The cowboy hat represents the individualism, ruggedness, and fortitude required to make a life in the American West. Today, it represents a set of values and a code to live by, centered around hospitality, loyalty, fairness, and respect for land and life. From its origins in the Wild West to its presence on modern fashion runways or Beyonce’s new album, the cowboy hat has maintained its status as an emblem of an enduring lifestyle and philosophy."

A: "The cowboy hat dates back to the mid-1800s. John B. Stetson is credited with producing the first cowboy hat in the 1860s. It was known as the "Boss of the Plains." The cowboy hat was originally practical in design, protecting cowboys from the harsh elements they encountered each day. Over time, it evolved from a functional item to also being a fashion statement, thanks in large part to Hollywood and Western movies, which popularized the image of the cowboy around the world. This popularity paved the way for companies like American Hat Company, which has been around for over one hundred years, and Resistol, which was founded in 1927 and is now under the Hatco brand that also owns Stetson."

A: "I sure can. The traditions and etiquettes around wearing a cowboy hat reflect respect and good manners. For example, it's traditional to remove your hat indoors, especially in church and in places like restaurants or homes. Another common gesture, especially in the American South and other rural areas, is taking your hat off or tipping it when you meet a lady. One of the most common superstitions is that it's bad luck to place your cowboy hat on the bed. I’m not superstitious, but I am a little bit 'stitious', so I’ve never tested that one by putting my hat on the bed."

A: "Most people’s choice of felt or straw is based on the time of year. For instance, “straw season” is from Easter to Labor Day Weekend, and “felt season” is the rest of the year. For non-traditionalists, it’s more about the temperature than it is the time of year, wearing a straw when it’s warm and a felt when it’s cooler. Felt hats are ideal for the colder months and cooler weather because they are made from wool or fur blends. The higher the X count, the better the quality of fur used to make the hat. Straw hats, on the other hand, are better for warmer months and weather because they are lightweight and breathable, offering comfort and ventilation. Each type of hat serves its purpose for different climates. 

When it comes to style, some people don’t abandon their Resistol felt hats when it warms up, like Arizona’s 10X Wrangler NFR Header, Derrick Begay, who prefers a 30X Rough and Ready, year-round, because of the fit and durability. Others, like PRCA World Champions, Haven and Shelby Meged, will switch to their American Hat Company straws as they roll into the summer months. Although straws are acceptable to wear for special occasions between Easter and Labor Day, a good felt never goes out of style and can be worn anytime."

A: "Yes. For felt cowboy hats, I like to start by gently brushing with a soft-bristled brush to remove dust and then using one of our hat sponges for heavier debris, like mud, that may be on your hat. If you still have some stains on your hat, you may be able to remove them by using an ultra-fine sanding sponge. This will only work on surface stains that don’t run too deep, and you need to be careful to avoid over-sanding and damaging the body of your hat. This little tip might be best left to the pros to make sure your hat isn’t ruined. If your hat gets wet, let it air dry naturally. For straw hats, use a dry cloth to get the dust off your hat and a damp cloth for other debris. It’s best to keep your hats in a cool, dry place. I prefer to keep my hats sitting on a shelf with the front of the brim hanging over the edge to help maintain the dip in the front of my brim. If you don’t have a shelf, it is best to set your hat on its crown and never flat on its brim, to protect the shape. And although many of us will throw a hat on the truck dash from time to time, that is the worst place to store one. The heat will cause it to shrink, and ultimately affect the shape as well."

A: "Open-crown cowboy hats come without creases in the crown or brim that have been pre-set by the manufacturer, giving the wearer the flexibility to shape the hat as they like to reflect their personal style and practical needs. Pre-creased cowboy hats have a crown that is pre-shaped during the blocking process. This leaves little room for customization of a crown, but we can generally work with the brim to add a bit of personal style. At NRS World, we offer our customers the option to have their hats custom-shaped by our  expert hat shapers at our hat bar. This allows for a personalized hat-shaping experience, turning each hat into a unique statement of individuality."

A: "Most importantly, you want to think about when and where you will be wearing your hat. This will help you determine if you want a felt or straw. The next thing is to remember that a quality felt is actually tougher, will hold its shape better, and can handle the elements better than a lower-quality felt. When it comes to buying a straw, most people focus on three things, durability, comfort, and style. Be sure to get your hands on the hat, feel the quality of the lacquer on the straw, the tightness of the weave, check if it has a leather or a dri-lex style sweatband, and don’t be scared to ask questions about how the hat will handle not just the conditions, but also the shape you want to put in it."