A cowboy hat is iconic. And so is cowboy hat etiquette. Both are symbolic of the Americans who settled the wild west. The wranglers who tamed the wide-open spaces. These were the men who brought their own shade to the great plains by wearing cowboy hats.
Cowboys address women as ma'am, They greet men with a firm handshake. In fact, the classic Western greeting, according to Emily Post, author of The Principles of Etiquette.
In this guide, we examine the unwritten etiquette of the cowboy hat.
How to Wear a Cowboy Hat
Cowboy hats themselves are legendary. They have been around so long that there are a few unwritten rules about how and when to wear them. Here's what you need to know to wear a cowboy hat to the rodeo, beach, or two-stepping at the bar without being a poser.
Can Anybody Wear a Cowboy Hat?
Sure, anyone can wear a cowboy hat. But since real cowboys are uncommon outside rural areas, city folk wear them for their rough and rugged style, rather than practicality.
Western hats styles don't tend to impact etiquette much. Whether you're wearing a Gus or a cattleman crease, the same rules apply.
And most cowboy hats styles and shapes are fairly similar. They all have wide brims, so they work well for blocking the sun or keeping you dry in the rain. Plus, they have tall crowns, so they make you look taller.
Cowgirl hats and cowboy hats brim shapes are similar too. But websites that sell cowboy hats tend to feature men and women wearing the exact same western hat styles. That way, it's easier for men and women to pictured themselves in them.
Cowboy Hats and Respect
Cowboys and cowboy hats demand respect. There are times you should remove your hat as a sign of respect, which we’ll discuss later.
Overall, you need to recognize that the hat brings a certain level of reverence and personality. It’s often easy to tell the difference between people who wear a cowboy hat for fun and those who are serious about it.
When wearing one around the latter, you need to follow the cowboy hat etiquette we outline in this guide. For example, taking off your hat when meeting someone for the first time shows respect for that person. Otherwise, you could wind up offending them.
Another way to show respect to your hat is to remove it by the crown. Then, hold it with the interior facing down so that no one can see the inner lining. When storing your hat, you want to place it upside down as to not affect the brim.
Finally, don't touch or try on someone else’s cowboy hat without their permission. It’s more than an accessory - it’s a personal item that holds a lot of historical and traditional significance. Cowboy hats are often considered an extension of their owner’s personality and style.
Cowboy Hat Color Rules
Light colors reflect sunlight while darker ones absorb it. In temperate climates, most people wear a natural straw hat in the spring and summer and a darker felt hat in fall and winter. However, it depends on your preference and the weather.
Darker cowboy hats are more popular on formal occasions. Dark brown, gray, and black cowboy hats are popular choices at formal events.
When to Wear Cowboy Hats
As a general rule, you should wear a cowboy hat outside, but take it off inside (except in informal situations).
Otherwise, a cowboy hat works for everyday use all year round. That said, there are some recommendations regarding when you should remove your hat and how to wear it in different situations.
Knowing When to Remove Your Hat
The most common situations to remove your hat include:
Wearing Cowboy Hats in Public
In the old days, people used to remove their hats indoors. However, on informal occasions, they kept them on. Nevertheless, removing your hat when meeting someone for the first time is an impressive display of chivalry. In the Old West, cowboy hat etiquette meant men tipped their hats for women only.
But, there's a disappearance of stereotypes and people adopting more gender-fluid norms. So, tipping your hat to a woman and not men in more progressive communities might be construed as sexist.
When taking off your hat, be sure to pull it off by the crown instead of the brim. And if you’re taking it off in a solemn situation, hold your hat over your heart.
When to Tip a Cowboy Hat
As mentioned earlier, in the code of the Old West, men would only tip their hats to women, not other men. That said, tipping your hat can be a sign of respect.
So, it makes sense to do it as a way of acknowledging someone important. A hat tip is a silent way of showing respect between cowboys.
Wearing a Cowboy Hat in Texas
While many Texans don't wear cowboy hats, those who do take cowboy hat etiquette seriously. If you're going to wear one of these hats in the Lone Star State, mind your manners. Also, be aware of the type of cowboy hat crease you’re wearing.
As we'll discuss next, there are specific seasons when to wear a straw or felt cowboy hat. Similarly, you want to pair your hat with the right clothing. In most situations, your other accessories will be a hardy pair of Wrangler jeans and a set of cowboy boots.
Straw vs Felt Cowboy Hat Seasons
The two primary types of cowboy hats. They are straw cowboy hats and felt cowboy hats, but we make leather cowboy hats. Knowing when to wear both will help you stay fashionable and comfortable all year long.
For example, wearing a felt hat during the summer will cook your head. A felt hat will also make you stand out from the other authentic wearers, who will all likely be wearing straw.
When Does Felt Hat Season Start?
Technically, the felt cowboy hat season begins after Labor Day. However, felt hats are often worn for formal occasions. So, if you're attending one during the summer, it makes sense to wear felt, even though the weather is hotter. Felt hat season runs until May (or Memorial Day, if you want a specific date).
Can You Wear Straw Hats in the Winter?
Since straw hats are more informal, they are appropriate to wear every day. The only downside to wearing a straw hat in the winter is that your head gets cold quicker, and the rain seeps through.
When to Wear Leather Cowboy Hats
Leather cowboy hats are warm, so they work great all year round, but especially so in Fall and Winter months. Also, leather hats have a much different appearance and aesthetic, which is rugged and informal.
Cowboy Hat Superstitions
Since cowboy hats are considered a very personal accessory, many superstitions have arisen over the decades about how and when to wear them.
Some folks treat their cowboy hat as an extension of themselves so much that they feel naked when they remove their hat. Here are instances where cowboy hat superstitions may come into play.
How to Set Your Hat Down
Ideally, you’d hang your hat on a hat rack whenever you're not wearing it.
However, if you’re going to set it down for a short period, it’s best to put your hat down crown side down, to keep the luck from spilling out.
Setting Hats on Beds
According to legends, setting a cowboy hat on a bed invites bad luck and evil spirits into the home. Why tempt fate? Keep cowboy hats away from beds.
Wearing Cowboy Hats Backwards
For the uninitiated, it's easy to wear a cowboy hat backward on accident, but according to superstitions, it’s bad luck. If there’s a buckle, feather plume tucked under the band, or other adornments, they should be on the left side.
The hatband is often tied on the left. Some hats will have a knot, which will sit at the rear. Otherwise, the front is narrower than the back. Use the manufacturer’s label in the interior sweatband to determine the front from the rear.
Bottom Line About Cowboy Hat Etiquette
Cowboy hats are different than other headgear, such as baseball caps or fedoras. These hats have a long and storied history. Knowing the proper etiquette to wear them will set you apart from drugstore and urban cowpokes.
Now that you’ve learned cowboy etiquette, you’re ready to buy a men’s cowboy hat or a women’s cowboy hat and wear it with reverence.
Comments
Grown up in west river Dakota. All the etiquette I read for men and hats is correct . However field work and temperature is up to the wearer depending on weather conditions. Most men have several seasonal hats for work and dress occasions. Women however do not have to remove their hats indoors ever unless they are in their own home. That goes for all occasions. If they are hostessing an event outside of their home (like at a club or church ) they also do not wear their hat. Female guests may wear their hats and men do not … unless it’s an outdoor party or reception or a very casual indoor event . Men remove their hats in a restaurant but may keep hat on in a bar. I have an off white wool I wear in April into May and after Labor Day out in public. I wear my straws when working in the yarden in late April and May depending on weather. Ditto for after Labor Day.
I only wear a felt hat for special occasions. Otherwise it’s palm straw for me. It’s freakin hot here in Tejas. Those that cry about “hat etiquette” are called “Kmart cowboys” and are probably the podcasting type. Yup, you know who you are.
I pretty much wear my felt hat all the time . It gets pretty rank in heat of the summer but it fits my head and is an extension of me and who I am. My hat is probably close to 20 years. I just got a “Path finder” to wear for dress up occasions. But will not give up my old hat till it rots off my head. I don’t need or want a different hat to just stack up. The etiquette guide is something I thought we all learned growing up but a good reminder.
You make a good hat, and if you and I are still around in fifteen or twenty years you can bet I will giving you my business. Thank you, Pat McVay, Curry County Oregon.
How do you keep your ears warm with a cowboy hat when it’s real cold outside?
It is time to remove this rule:
“But, there’s a disappearance of stereotypes and people adopting more gender-fluid norms. So, tipping your hat to a woman and not men in more progressive communities might be construed as sexist.”
Stick to your values. Who really buys your hats?
I enjoyed reading the article on cowboy etiquette. I agree that the hat should not be set on the bed. But is there any rule against a woman wearing a cowboy head to bed?
I noticed one of the female comments noting she did not want to wear her hat if she can’t wear it inside. 1st, I’ve grown up knowing that females can wear a hat wherever they want. Inside or outside, so keep it on! 2nd, When I attend church there are always a couple of males wearing their hats during the church service. No, no discussion, no, you should not wear a hat inside a church at all. Baseball cap, cowboy hat, doo-rag, anything that covers your scalp, NO! Anywhere a religious service is happening, no hat! Not in a restaurant or someone’s home. Show respect! The only place to wear a hat inside is, indoor rodeo, shopping at a store. Women get to do this, after all, if we didn’t have them, there would be none of us. Thank You!
I guess a bar is an informal setting. I see lots of hats cowboy hats in bars and at indoor rodeos.
I am bald and 76. Straw hats let too much sun in and I wear one only in the evening. Otherwise, I wear fur felts, maybe light coloured, like an umbrella and enjoy the shade. When the weather cools I wear my heavier fur and wool felts some with a little less brim. Protecting against too much sun exposure, especially my head is important to me. I looked at north american cowboys and south american gauchos wearing felt hats as well as Aussies whose national hat is felted and knew what to wear. I can’t believe anyone who wears a western hat wouldn’t know when to take it off. From the time we are kids we know to remove hats for anthems and religious ceremonies. You get told to remove your hat in court and during passport checks. Times change and who knows, new rules might come along. In the mean time, if you mess up someone will likely give you the heads up.
I live in East Texas and there are unwritten rules on Cowboy hats. Cowboys, and therefore the cowboy hat, are a sign of respect. I was heading to West Texas when a lady from the Northeast come running over to see if I would take a picture with her son. I said “sure but you have to know I am not a real cowboy.” She said “cowboy enough.” Lol For me it is a uniform to be worn with dignity and honor.