The Cowboy Boot

We have mentioned before that cowboys and cowboy boots are an integral part of our culture –American cultural consciousness to be exact. In fact, while other nationalities say that America has no legitimate tradition since it is a melting pot, the most legitimate of traditions that one can have in this country is the cowboy culture. When we say cowboy culture, we do not only talk about cowboy boots or cowboy hats or cowboy fashion in general, we are also talking about the life of a cowboy or a cowgirl for that matter. The American cultural consciousness is not just felt in America though because in other countries such as the Philippines and Japan, there are western wear stores and even cowboy-themed restaurants. This is an indicator that this is what America is all about even though a great number of the population are not cowboys and do not wear cowboy boots.

Thanks to Hollywood, we were able to make this distinctly American tradition into something very popular. Decades ago, it would be weird to see an Asian donning a cowboy hat or wearing cowboy boots but today, cowboy couture is no longer just for the West but also for the fashion forward or the ones who want to stand out in a crowd.

The world’s fascination with spurs, lassos and cowboy hats and even six-shooters (and of course the Wild West) started when Western films became popular. In fact, a German guy I know remembers watching cowboy movies when he was a kid back in the 80s. Another indicator of its popularity and it being integrated in the American psyche is Hollywood making cowboy movies a separate genre altogether.

Alright, we admit that the movie industry casting charismatic actors made a difference too but actors such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry became more popular during their heyday because of their cowboy movies.

There is something about cowboy hats that make them oh-so-sexy and nope, not just on men but on women too especially when worn at the beach with a nice bikini. If you love cowboy hats as much as we do, you probably like looking at them too. Here are a few good movies where one can ogle cowboy hats.

Brokeback Mountain. Sure it’s not for everyone but those hats they wear sure are sexy! And being a gay cowboy has never been sexier in any movie.

The Assassination of Jesse James. An outlaw is already sexy enough, place Brad Pitt as the outlaw is way too sexy considering that he has to wear a black cowboy hat made from the finest materials. We must admit though that the coward Robert Ford also looked quite nice in this movie with his not-so-dark cowboy hat but nothing really compares to the bad boy who is also a cowboy. I bet the ladies are thinking “Yum” right now.

Those John Wayne Movies. We will not enumerate all of them. John Wayne is an icon and as an icon he is known for his cowboy get up. Believe you me, during John Wayne’s heyday, he was so popular that immigrants thought John Wayne is the President of the United States of America. Now that would have been cool right? His cowboy boots and cowboy hats are by far much cooler though. If you would like to watch cowboy movies with John Wayne in it and see how dreamy he looked, you can search online for John Wayne cowboy movies.

Those Clint Eastwood Movies. Yep, the director/actor or actor/director however you prefer it is one hell of a cowboy because he makes cowboyhood if there is such a word look real good. If that is not amazing enough, Clint Eastwood also made a lot of ladies swoon because of his characters in the movies.

When cowboys walked the earth thanks to the Spanish men who brought the tradition to Mexico and later on to the West, cattle raising became cool. Considered even before as a very macho job because of all that horseback riding and all that traveling from one place to the other when selling cattle or buying them for that matter, the image of the cowboy has stayed the same over the centuries. Centuries before however, cowboys didn’t wear denim and it took a long time before the iconic cowboy hat finally had one design. And it took a long time too before the classic cowboy boot design made its mark in history.

Through the years, the image of the cowboy never changed though. In fact, its image has inspired a number of legends and later on movies that made non-cowboys want to go to the West just to be a cowboy. Those with a taste for adventure ventured to the West and donned cowboy hats and wore pull on cowboy boots and started working in as cattle raisers. Cowboys also have their own code. In fact, they can be likened to a brotherhood –a fraternity of real men who drink from their cowboy hats, who brave the sun’s heat and who do ranch work with ease. It is an interesting thing really not only historically but also its effects on pop culture.

Although cowboy boots started stemmed from English riding boots according to its design, the classic cowboy boot now stands as an original American thing. Its Spanish caballero roots and the English influences can be found in history but it was in America where these boots made their real debut. It was in those desert lands and in the mountains of the West where cowboy boots were developed to suit the lifestyle of the cattle raiser.

When is it proper to wear a cowboy boots at the office? Many claim that wearing one at the office is a n-no while others say it’s okay. The answer of course depends where you work and where you are. In cities where cowboy tradition is not really popular, wearing cowboy boots draws attention but not because people in these particular areas are against it but because they are amazed at how good these shoes look. In cities where the cowboy tradition is known but not exactly as a lifestyle but a possible idea for a costume party outfit, wearing cowboy boots inside the office is a major no-no because according to office workers in such places, cowboy boots make one look less corporate and maybe even too casual.

Now is this a general opinion among city dwellers? No one knows really because no one has done a survey just yet but many a fashion blog has spoken against the wearing of cowboy boots in the office, our question is, why? Cowboy boots are comfortable and they are closed shoes so maybe they can be worn under jeans but not really accepted when seen on a woman wearing a skirt.

One particular woman who recounted on her blog abut her being sent a memo regarding how very unprofessional she dresses wrote about such a situation. Nope, her dress was not too short. In fact, she is 50-years-old and according to her can only wear dresses below the knee. It turns out that she was branded as being unprofessional when it comes to her dressing style because she wears cowboy boots. Another point of discussion is where should cowboy boots be worn? Which workplaces allow such shoes? But the more important question is, why are they not allowed in all kinds of offices? Is there a stigma to cowboy boots in certain places somehow or is it just because they draw a lot of attention that other office workers get distracted by them?

Wearing a broad-brimmed hat complete with a high crown goes as far back as the 13^th century when Mongolian horsemen wore them. The reason for these hats to have tall crowns according to cowboy hat enthusiasts is that it provided insulation for the wearer’s head. The wide brim on the other hand functioned as a shade. In hot, sunny climates such as Mexico for example, broad-brimmed hats are quite useful. The sombrero worn by Mexican horsemen of old is one good example.

Photo Via saywhydoi.com

Historical accounts on when the cowboy hat was invented are actually debatable and according to experts, it is not even clear when this type of hat started to be called a cowboy hat. It is interesting to note that Westerners did not really have a standardized headwear. In fact, people who moved to the western part of the United States wore different types of hats. This includes top hats, remains of Civil War headgears, derbies and sailor hats among others.

Contrary to what many people believe, it was the bowler who won the hearts of the people from the west and not the beloved cowboy hat. The bowler’s popularity prompted American author, gourmand and photographer Lucius Beebe to call the bowler’s hat as “the hat that won the West”. The cowboys of old who took care of farm animals and of crops in that part of America already wore broad-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the heat of the sun. These hats like the modern cowboy hat we are so familiar with also had high crowns. Although no one knows who really invented the cowboy hat, credit still goes to John Batterson Stetson who made the Boss of the Plains in 1865.

The water proof hat became an instant hit in the west. Apart from this feature, cowboys also loved the fact that they were lightweight and were easy to adjust depending on the size of the user’s head.

Photo Via plan59.com

Founded in 1865 by John B. Stetson, the John B. Stetson Company is today’s no.1 cowboy hat maker. Although the company stopped manufacturing in the year 1970 and Stetsons were later manufactured by Hatco Inc., the quality of a Stetson was retained. Hatco Inc. also produces other leading cowboy hat brands such as Charlie 1 Horse and Resistol.

After a 10 year hiatus, Stetson went back to manufacturing its hats in the 80s but unfortunately went bankrupt by 86.

The contemporary history of the brand may be somewhat sad but its early days are definitely something that cowboy hat lovers should always remember. The Philadelphia company started making cowboy hats when they were needed for a western expedition. The most well known of the Stetson hats is the boss of the plains, the hat that still serves as today’s prototype for a great cowboy hat.

The factory is now located in Galveston Texas and still produces the iconic boss of the plains along with other cowboy hat variations made for both men and women.

It is not only its popularity that makes the Stetson special though because it is also a symbol of pride and bravery of the Old West. The Stetson has been worn by many a western heroes including John Wayne, Garth Brooks and Clayton Moore.

Although the Stetson is a badge of the west in general, the Texas State Historical Association says that it is the badge of a Texan. The Stetson hat, no matter where you are from in the American west, is definitely a true badge of a cowboy –a badge of honor too if you may since the cowboy hat has its own rules of usage and its own rules pertaining to respect for others. This includes the removal of the hat when one is passing by someone you know or when passing by clergy men or women.

Photo Via Wikipedia

A lightweight hat used for all types of weather, the Boss of the Plains is not just a design done by John B. Stetson but also an icon when it comes to cowboy hats. This hat is a part of history and definitely something a cowboy would want to have.

This elegant yet durable hat is waterproof but what makes it special is that it is the boss among all cowboy hats. It has the refinements of an elegant hat and the sturdiness required by every cowboy. It has a hat band for tightening and had a brim that was stiffened just the right way. The Boss of the Plains’ design includes a high crown made to give better insulation to the top of the head of the wearer. It had a wide brim and a stiff one too as means of sheltering the wearer from the elements protecting not only the face but also the neck and the shoulders.

The Boss of the Plains did not just come out as the perfect hat the first time it was made though because for years, John B. Stetson worried so much on how to waterproof the hat. He later on decided to make them from beaver felt. According to history, it took about 42 belly pelts from the beaver to make a high quality Stetson hat –high quality Boss of the Plains to be exact. Because of the quality of the felt and the stitching style used for it, this particular hat was sturdy enough to be waterproof. What is actually impressive about this hat is that it was also used as a bucket by cowboys of old –making the boss a multipurpose garment for every cowboy. One of the most popular cowboy stories is that of a man whose canteen had a leak. He saved his water by putting it on his Stetson.

Photo Via obscurecraft.net

Most ladies agree that there is just something about a man in a cowboy hat. Apart of course from the sheer sexiness of a cowboy hat and Hollywood’s projection of it, a good cowboy hat will surely make a woman drool –pardon us.

According to cowboy hat experts, it takes about 2 to 6 hours to make a good cowboy hat and that on its own is a telltale sign that cowboy hats aren’t cheap. Although there are the inexpensive kind that one can buy from the department store, getting a cowboy hat from the assembly line is definitely not the same as getting a Stetson.

The Stetson Hat Company has been making great cowboy hats since 1865 –remember boss of the plains? Yep, there you go. It is interesting to note that cowboys from history wore Stetsons and this even includes Calamity Jane.

So what makes a cowboy hat sexy? According to our search for data online, many women think cowboy hats are sexy because well, they could not explain it actually but one thing is for sure –it makes women sigh.

Cowboys are different. In fact, they are a different brand of men. Against the metrosexual, the cowboy is definitely the better choice for those who want to be treated as women. This is of course a bias among those who are in love with cowboy hats and men who wear them but hey, cowboy hats are super sexy and this is something many women cannot deny.

If you are looking into buying your first cowboy hat, make sure that you get a felt hat. The more Xs there are in the hat, the better but buyer beware, this can be quite expensive. Not to worry though because the more beaver there is in a cowboy hat, the longer it will last.

If you love your cowboy hat, whether you are a real cowboy or someone who just loves western wear, you should take good care of your hat.

Water Damage

Use a non-silicone based protector to protect your cowboy hat from water damage. Some often wear their felt cowboy hats in the rain and if done so without a non-silicone based protector the hat will definitely get a few rain stains. There is a brand called “The Protector” that helps keep your felt cowboy hats in tiptop shape –at least when it comes to water damage.

Regular Brushing

Your wife probably does this to her hair but did you know that if you apply regular brushing technique to your cowboy hat (felt), you would keep your hat looking brand new? Yes you got that right gentlemen. Use a brim brush to get rid of dirt and dust. Make sure that you brush clockwise on the underside and counter clockwise on top.

Cleaning

If you want to clean your felt cowboy hat, you can always use lukewarm water, a sponge and mild soap. Do not use a detergent to clean it because this will only ruin your hat. Let the hat dry naturally after cleaning it. NEVER use a blow dryer –that is for your wife’s or girlfriend’s hair.

Reblocking

If you mishandled your cowboy hat and it has now lost its original shape, you can always go to a professional and get it fixed. Professionals can fix this problem through reblocking i.e. putting the hat on a shaping block and later on steaming it to get its original shape. If you just need  minor adjustments, you can always go to a hat or western store –they can do that for you. Remember however not to expose your felt hat to heat or moisture as this will not only affect its integrity and beauty but also its shape.

Photo Via thefedoralounge.com

Rule #1 Never wear your cowboy hat backwards

First things first, do not wear your hat backwards because aside from it making you look funny, it is bad luck to wear it backwards. Make sure that you see that tiny bow is at the back of your head. The bow is usually on the crown. Now that you know this, we may now move on to other cowboy hat etiquette tips.

Rule #2 Never mess with another person’s cowboy hat

According to cowboys, one should never mess with another man’s cowboy hat. Trying another guy’s cowboy hat is like trying on his underwear so if you are a newbie to this, PLEASE do not lay a finger on another person’s cowboy hat.

Rule #3 Take off your hat when entering a building

This is basic and should also be implemented amongst cap-wearing men. If it is a formal occasion, it is advised that you do not put your cowboy hat back on. If it is an informal occasion however, you are allowed to put it back on. One must remember too that there are 2 degrees of politeness i.e. lifting your hat or tipping it versus taking it off. If you tip or lift your hat, this means you are interacting with strangers. If you take it off fully however, this means that you are doing it for friends.

Rule #4 There are times when you take your cowboy hat outdoors

For example, if you are being introduced to someone or when you are bidding goodbye. You can also take off your cowboy hat when outdoors if you are passing someone you know or when talking to a woman, an elderly man or a priest. One would also need to take one’s cowboy hat off when the National Anthem is being sung or played. Cowboys also take off their hats during a funeral.