Owning a traditional Western or cowboy hat is more than just picking a style that looks good; it comes with a history of etiquette, customs, and unwritten rules that can be just as significant as the hat itself. Whether you’re gearing up for your first rodeo, going to a country-themed event, or simply exploring the cowboy lifestyle, understanding these dos and don’ts can make all the difference. Here’s a guide to help you wear your cowboy hat with confidence and respect.
1. Understanding the Symbolism Behind the Hat
Cowboy hats are a staple of Western heritage. They’ve been worn by cowboys, ranchers, and farmers for generations as a tool of practicality and as a symbol of identity. Each style, crease, and color of a cowboy hat can have a specific meaning, though these interpretations vary by region and tradition. As a first-time owner, understanding the history and symbolism associated with your hat helps you appreciate it beyond the fashion statement and understand why others might take its etiquette seriously.
2. The Basic Dos and Don’ts of Hat Etiquette
Cowboy hat etiquette can vary by community and setting, but a few general rules have
become widespread. Here are some of the fundamental guidelines to follow:
a) Know When to Remove Your Hat
Indoors: Generally, remove your hat when you go indoors, especially in someone’s home, at the dinner table, in a church, or in any building where decorum is important. Hats were originally outdoor gear for practical protection, so bringing them indoors is traditionally considered unnecessary.
National Anthem, Prayers, or Funerals: Show respect by removing your hat during these moments. This gesture demonstrates solemnity and reverence for both the moment and the people involved.
When Being Introduced: In some settings, tipping or briefly removing your hat is a sign of respect when meeting someone new, particularly if you’re meeting elders or women.
b) Avoid Wearing Your Hat Backwards or Cocked
Wearing your hat straight and with the front facing forward is essential. Most cowboy hats have a slight difference in the front and back, often indicated by the hatband’s bow, which is positioned on the inside back of the hat. This helps you avoid the embarrassing mistake of wearing it backward. Cocking or tilting the hat can sometimes imply nonchalant or defiant attitudes, which may not always be appropriate.
c) Use the Brim and Crown Correctly
Tipping the Hat: When greeting someone or passing by acquaintances, a small tip of the brim (using two fingers to lift it briefly) is a polite gesture. This subtle tip is a nod of respect and friendliness, acknowledging someone without the need for words.
Handling the Hat: When removing your hat, grip it by the crown (top part) rather than the brim. The brim is more delicate and can warp over time if regularly handled.
3. Situational Tips for Wearing Your Cowboy Hat
a) At the Dinner Table
Cowboy hat etiquette is generally strict about not wearing your hat at the dinner table. Whether at a restaurant, a friend’s house, or a formal gathering, taking off your hat before eating is seen as polite and respectful. This can also mean placing your hat on a chair or hat rack (if available) rather than setting it on the table.
b) During Formal Events
At formal events, especially those in rural or Western settings, cowboy hats may still be worn but often follow stricter etiquette rules. A well-polished hat with a classic, minimal style is recommended. Consider tipping or removing your hat if someone important, like the event host or a dignitary, is speaking.
c) Rodeos, Country Concerts, or Social Events
In more relaxed settings like rodeos, concerts, or fairs, cowboy hats are almost expected and often worn all day. Even so, try to avoid blocking others’ views with an oversized brim. And remember, tipping your hat when greeting people is still a friendly gesture that’s often appreciated.
4. Respecting Other People’s Hats
Never touch or pick up someone else’s cowboy hat without permission. To a hat owner, their hat is an extension of themselves and represents pride, style, and sometimes even sentimentality. Handle your own hat with care, and don’t place it upside down, as this is traditionally thought to bring bad luck. Instead, lay it crown-down to help it keep its shape.
5. Storing Your Hat Correctly
When not wearing your hat, avoid setting it on its brim as this can cause it to flatten over time. Many people store cowboy hats on a hat stand or on their crown to preserve the brim’s shape. If you don't have something along those lines, place it in a silk duster bag in a cool dry, place resting on its crown. If you’re at a public place with hat racks, use them to keep your hat safe and out of harm’s way. If there is no way to safely store your hat for example: at a dinner, or in an airplane, we recommend hanging it on your knee.
Adding to the mystique of cowboy hat etiquette is a fascinating superstition: never place a cowboy hat on the bed.
This tradition, deeply rooted in Western folklore, is thought to bring bad luck or even invite misfortune. For first-time hat owners, it’s a little-known rule worth respecting, especially if you’re around seasoned hat-wearers who take it seriously, and some take it VERY seriously!
Why Putting a Cowboy Hat on the Bed Is Considered Bad Luck
The origin of this superstition isn’t entirely clear, but several theories have floated through Western culture over the years:
Old Western Hygiene and Respect: Cowboy hats were primarily worn outdoors to protect from the sun, wind, and rain, meaning they would accumulate dirt, dust, and even sweat. Placing a dirty hat on a clean bed was not only unhygienic but also seen as a sign of disrespect toward the person or place. Over time, this practical caution evolved into a superstition that equated it with bad luck.
Connection to Misfortune: Some believe the superstition stems from early ranch life, where placing a cowboy hat on the bed could symbolize the wearer’s absence, as hats were sometimes placed on beds after someone passed away. For some, seeing a hat on a bed became an ominous sign, linked with potential illness, injury, or misfortune.
Horse and Rodeo Culture Influence: Rodeo and ranch communities are known to embrace many superstitions, and since the cowboy hat is such a personal and iconic item, it’s no surprise that rituals around handling it carefully have stuck. Rodeo competitors, for instance, often take extra care with their hats for fear of jinxing their performance. This belief in avoiding "bad vibes" extended to keeping hats off beds.
Practicing Respectful Hat Etiquette: Avoiding the Bed
As a new cowboy hat owner, following this rule is simple and helps keep you on the right side of tradition. Instead of placing your hat on a bed, opt for a chair, a hat rack, or even place it crown-down on a flat surface. Cowboy hats are typically sturdy, but over time, they can lose shape if not stored properly, and avoiding placing them on a bed keeps both the superstition and your hat’s structure intact.
By respecting this superstition, you not only keep potential bad luck at bay but also show appreciation for the cultural roots of cowboy hat etiquette. Embracing these customs and superstitions adds a unique, storied layer to your experience as a new hat owner, connecting you with generations of cowboy culture.
Conclusion: Wearing Your Cowboy Hat with Pride
Western and cowboy hats carry a unique charm and rich history, so wearing one can make a memorable statement. By following these etiquette guidelines, you’ll show respect for Western traditions and present yourself with the honor and pride that the cowboy hat represents. Whether you’re heading to a rodeo, a gathering, or just exploring Western style, wearing your hat with confidence and courtesy ensures you’ll fit right in without committing any “hat offenses.”
-LWx Custom Hats and Traveling Hat Bar
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