My husband, Clint, has a head made for hats.
At 6-foot-1 with brown, curly locks, his hats add formality and a fashionable accent, just like a blazer dresses up any outfit.
Last fall, we attended my brother’s wedding in Puerto Rico and made a stop at the Olé hat shop in Old San Juan, the historic part of the city. We’d shopped there a decade before, during a cruise, and my husband was excited to return and pick out a new Panama hat for the wedding.
The shelves displayed finely woven straw styles such as boaters and fedoras.
Once a decision is made on a hat, the real work begins selecting a hat band, which comes in endless colors and patterns. It’s both fun and exhausting. Clint settled on a navy and teal combination.
In addition to his straw hats, he has amassed a collection of cowboy hats while living in the Southwest. From vintage finds to a gifted Stetson branded with his monogram, his head transitions easily between the styles, as all these looks suit him well.
Until the mid-20th century, you’d be hard-pressed to find a head without a topper. It was the post-World War II era that saw the decline of the wardrobe staple. Returning soldiers had grown tired of wearing hats and helmets. Women employed in the war effort gained newfound independence but perhaps less time for fashion.
Cars were streamlined and enclosed, minimizing the need for a hat as protection.
The ’60s era of bouffants, beehives and nonconformity did the hat no favors. And Kennedy ushered in a modern era of less formality when he became the first president to check his hat at the podium to give his inaugural address.
Times were changing, and hats were no longer indicative of class and societal expectations.
However, the cowboy hat, not even 100 years old by Kennedy’s inauguration, is still revered for its function and fashion. Haphazardly designed by Stetson himself during a hunting trip, his wide-brimmed creation protected men from the elements and rigors of the outdoors. The hat is a link to the independent spirit of those navigating the wild, untamed West without looking costumey in a town like Santa Fe.
Almost a decade ago, I popped into the renowned O’Farrell Hat Co. to get a heads-up etiquette lesson on this staple of fashion. The tips still stand, and I thought it helpful to circle back to the topic of this American symbol and hats in general.
Scott O’Farrell and the knowledgeable staff were straight shooters when it came to rattling off the cowboy code of the hat recognized around the world:
- Handling another person’s cowboy hat will really get one’s chaps in a twist. Unless invited, hands off!
- Removing one’s hat is a sign of respect going back to a time when doing so showed your vulnerability and that you had nothing to hide, much like the origins of the Western handshake. It also allows for better eye contact, a staple of introductions. Remove your cowboy or sports hat during the national anthem; in the presence of a passing flag (such as a parade); at funeral processions and burials; during prayer; in a house of worship; in someone’s home; in a theater; in an office; when first meeting a lady (give a tip of the hat in future meetings); when speaking with elders or clergymen.
- In a restaurant, specifically in the West and Southwest, you may keep your cowboy hat on if no safe, visible and security-monitored place is provided for it (these hats can be expensive). Alternatively, you could pull up a chair for it. Sports caps are always removed.
- With the exception of an office, ladies may keep fashion hats on if it is part of their outfit (and not blocking the view in a theater).
- A cowboy hat is never left on the back shelf of a hot car.
- Handle it by the brim. Handling by the crown causes pinching, compromising the felt.
- When removed, hats are placed upside down on a surface, crown down.
- The hat band, on the outside of the crown, often has an adornment that sits on the left side when the hat is worn.
- Cowboy hats, like the color white, do have a season based on climate. Felt hats are intended for winter wear (protecting from moisture and cold) and straw for summer (protecting from heat and sun). However, felt is often worn year-round due to its durability.
- Hat cleaning and maintenance are key for getting the most out of them. Like most apparel, hats should be cleaned so they keep their original look and shape. Because of the delicate design, the brim and crown can easily lose shape if not cared for and stored properly. A hat shop can reblock your hat, meaning they’ll steam it back to the right shape.
From a “ten-gallon” to fedoras and fascinators, hats show off one’s individuality and elevate your look. Knowing when and how to wear them adds another feather in your cap.
