Cowboy 101 – Fittin’ your Cowboy Hat

It was Charles M. Russell that once said, “A fine hat fits like a good friend.” Never has there been truer word spoken when it comes to buying the right size hat. Knowing your hat size, how a hat should fit and the differences between the fit of a straw and a felt hat, are just the first things you need to know when it comes to buying and wearing a cowboy hat.

Sizin’ Up Your Head

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to buying the right size cowboy hat. If it’s too big, it can blow right off your head. If it’s too small, you’ll be mighty uncomfortable. The following video from Stetson shows the steps you take when measuring your head with a tape measure. The Hat Size Chart below will help you to use that measurement to determine you hat size.

Gettin’ the Right Fit

When a cowboy hat is brand new, it will fit snug around your head. Cowboy hats can expand from the heat coming off your head. After wearing your hat for an extended amount of time, the hat will loosen up and start to conform to your head.

Felt hats are heavier than straw hats, which means they are more likely to stay on your head in the wind. When buying a straw hat, you might want to get one that’s a little tighter so you don’t have to chase it down on a windy day.

A good hattery, like Tener’s Western Outfitters, will have hat professionals that can help shape your hat to get that perfect cowboy hat fit.