Cowboy hats are more than head wear - they epitomize the rugged outdoor life of the cowpunchers of early American history. As protective wear, the hats had to be as rough and tough as the life the cowboys led, exposed to the elements for days and weeks together. Leather and animal skins were the material of choice for hats because other materials were hard to come by in those days. Leather cowboy hats retain the flavor of the Wild West and have become a fashion accessory today. They are versatile enough to provide protection from sun and rain, heat and cold, and do duty as dress head wear for formal and informal occasions. They are durable and comfortable, making them suitable for everyday wear.
The choice of leather as a material for a cowboy hat was no accident. It was chosen because of its superior durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions. At the same time it was comfortable for the wearer. A cowboy hat made of leather took the shape of the wearer's head. Though the leather cowboy hat blocked the wind, the cold and the heat from affecting the wearer's head, it could breathe and this kept the wearer comfortable in the summer. On top of all that, it looked dashing and very masculine! This is the reason it became so popular. You can get a leather cowboy hat in any color from off white to black to match your clothes, your complexion or your hair.
Cowboy hats made of materials other than leather are available. Of these the straw and felt cowboy hats are very popular. Although they have their own good qualities, the leather cowboy hat stands head and shoulders above them. Maybe that's why rock stars, pop stars, society's movers and shakers, both ladies and gents, all dress up with this piece of elegant masculine haute couture.
Another reason for leather's dominance is that it is extremely durable in all sorts of weather, and that's why leather cowboy hats are reliable and effective protection for the wearer in the severest of environmental conditions. Straw is very good and light, but its lightness is its very weakness! It cannot last one season in the rain or snow, and as for the sun, the sunlight and its heat easily pass through the straw weave and affect the wearer's head! Felt cowboy hats afford much better protection from the weather than straw cowboy hats. But they are hard to maintain. They deform easily when wet, and are prone to breaking up with rough handling. Besides many wearers complain that a felt cowboy hat feels like a cardboard hat! The bottom line is that leather cowboy hats are well worth the high price tag that they come with.
Maintenance is a very critical issue for cowboy hats. The wearer does not have the convenience of taking time off to clean and care for his hat. A leather cowboy hat is virtually maintenance-free. You just shake the dust off whenever you put it on or take it off. When the grime begins to show, you just have to wipe it off with a soft moist cloth. If you happen to have access to a good quality leather cleaning solution, all the better. In case your leather cowboy hat gets drenched, you just let it sit in the shade, out of the breeze, and dry out naturally. But that's about all the maintenance a leather cowboy hat requires.
A poor quality leather cleaning solution will ruin your leather cowboy hat because it destroys the natural oils in the leather of your cowboy hat. You can always ask around at a store which handles high quality leather apparel for a good quality leather cleaning solution. A good quality leather cleaning solution preserves the natural oils in your leather cowboy hat, thus prolonging its service life.
Most reputable stores which carry quality leather wear offer a cleaning service. You may want to avail of this service as an alternative to doing it yourself. Store your leather cowboy hat in a cool place. A word of caution when you're storing the leather hat: prolonged exposure to direct sunlight is not advisable as this may discolor the leather.
Costly they may be, but leather cowboy hats give good value for money, outlasting the competition, and, lady or gent, you're sure to stun the onlookers with those great good looks set off by a matching beauty on your head!
Author Resource:-
Whether you are searching for straw, felt or leather cowboy hats, you'll see bargain prices at www.DiscountCowboyHats.net. There's always a large selection of mens or womens cowboy hats from all the name brands that are synonymous with quality.
If you hold the copyright to an article which has been posted on this site without your consent or knowledge, pleaseContact us and we will remove it immediately.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesharer.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
