How The West Was Worn: A Guide To Western Hats

How The West Was Worn: A Guide To Western Hats

During their prime in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Hollywood Westerns became less about looking like John Wayne and more about the off-the-cuff, antiheroes on the fringes of society. Western hats went along with the wild ride, ushering in our favorite age of the classic cowboy.

Rediscover one of your favorite Western looks and find a rugged hat that’s right for you.

The Tailored Rancher

Think of your style as a suit with guns sort of vibe. We aren’t talking about chaps and lassos. This look is is all about sharp, rugged tailoring with a few rough details.

Western Hat Of Choice: Think of Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Their hats were short brimmed and simple but still look on-point today.

Wear It With: Cord blazer, lightweight button down, cotton pants

The Wild Westerner Meets Woodstock

You’d hate to abandon you seventies-inspired shag and prefer to look a little more rockstar than outlaw. Fuse these two styles for a concert meets cowboy combo.

Western Hat: Felt and straight brimmed like Bob Dylan in Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

Wear It With: A waistcoat, skinny jeans and black leather boots

The Dirty Desperado

You prefer ponchos to polish, and your scruff, smoke and scowling smile help make your ordinary menswear staples–jeans, blue button downs and boots–look tough as metal. Talk about star-studded cowboy style without all the sparkle.

Western Hat: Do as Clint Eastwood did in his epic film, A Fistful of Dollars and make your leather hat as curved and cool as your style.

Wear It With: A pair of black jeans, a chambray shirt and brown biker boots

The Urban Macho

If you’re a man who likes to buy boots but wasn’t born in them, look no further than Richard Gere in Days of Heaven. His look is perfect for the ultimate urbanite seeking some of the macho appeal without coming off as a gun-slinging cowboy.

Western Hat: Go classic with your cowboy hat and imagine yourself as a rugged farmhand pretending to be a big city boy.

Wear It With: A duster coat, black tee and regular-fit jeans

There’s a romance and a ruggedness to the clothes created from old Westerns and an individualism to a western hat that appeals to every man.

For a wild west wardrobe, opt for a rugged western hat.

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