What Style Of Cowboy Hat Did Merle Haggard Wear?

Merle Haggard was one of history’s most famous country music singers and songwriters. He was recognized for his songs like “Okie From Muskogee,” “Mama Tried,” “Workin’ Man Blues,” and many more. In most of his concerts, we see him wearing a cowboy hat. But what style of cowboy hat did Merle Haggard wear?

In this article, we will discuss the different styles of cowboy hats that he wore during his career. So, if you are a fan of Merle Haggard like me, then you must read this complete article.

What Style Of Cowboy Hat Did Merle Haggard Wear?

Merle Haggard wore a fedora hat. A fedora hat is a hat with a soft brim and an indent at the top. Typically, it is creased lengthwise down its crown and pinched near the front on both sides. Many people confuse fedoras and cowboy hats because they look similar, but some differences exist.

A cowboy hat usually has its brim turned up at both ends, and a fedora hat has the back brim down with its front turned up. When we look at Merle Haggard’s pictures, we can see that Merle Haggard wore a fedora, not a cowboy hat.

Merle Haggard was born in California at the end of the Great depression. He had a difficult childhood after his dad’s death and was imprisoned several times in his youth.

Also read: What Kind Of Cowboy Hat Does Jason Aldean Wear?

After being released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, he changed his life around and launched an incredibly successful country music career. His songs were about the working class, which sometimes contained themes contrary to the anti-Vietnam War sentiments of some popular music at the time.

Between the 1960s to the 1980s, he released 38 number-one hits on the US country music charts, several of which were also number-one on the Billboard all-genres chart. Merle Haggard released several successful albums throughout the 2000s until he died in 2016. We have seen him wearing a fedora hat in most of his albums. 

What difference between Fedora Hats and Cowboy Hats

Fedoras are made of felt or wool, while cowboys’ hats are mostly made of leather or straw. The hat’s shape is very similar but differs significantly in size.

A cowboy hat’s brim is more expansive than a fedora hat’s. The fedora hat’s brim is usually around 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) wide, whereas a typical cowboy hat’s brim is a minimum of 4 inches (10 cm) wide.

Fe­dora hat’s brims are usually smaller than cowboy hats. They also have a “style” front pinch that seems like the hat maker had pinched his fingers together while making the hat. Most fedoras also come with a wide grosgrain band, and the wide strip of fabric on the top of the head gives the hat a classic appearance.

Conclusion

So, now we know that Merle Haggard wore Fedora hats and not cowboy hats. Though both fedora and cowboy hats look similar, they have some differences. Both cowboy hats and fedora hats look cool when you wear them. But if you are a fan of Merle Haggard, then you should buy a fedora hat for yourself.

This article has helped you understand what style of cowboy hat Merle Haggard wore. If you have further questions, please ask us by commenting below.

FAQs

How do I choose a fedora hat?

There are many different types of fedora hats available online. Before choosing a fedora hat, you must consider your face shape, head size, etc.

What do I need to know before buying a fedora hat?

You should know that fedora hats are expensive. So make sure that you don’t go overboard when buying one. Also, pick a fedora hat that fits you well.

Is the fedora a cowboy hat?

No, the fedora isn’t a cowboy hat, and they are two completely different hats, and fedora hats have a shorter brim compared to cowboy hats.

My name is Brandon J. Nava, and I consider myself an expert on the cowboy lifestyle. I regularly attend events at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) am I am a member of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). I've participated in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or the Pendleton Round-Up and I aspire to be awarded by the American Horse Council or the United States Equestrian Federation in the near future. In addition I've visited lectures and educational programs at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.