Whenever we meet a cowboy, we see him wearing a cowboy hat. We have seen them in the movies and on TV shows wearing cowboy hats, and everywhere else you look. Why do cowboys wear hats?
The cowboy hat has become an iconic symbol of the cowboy lifestyle. Cowboys first wore it to protect their heads from sunburns and other weather-related problems. The cowboy hat became famous when it was used as part of the western clothing style.
Cowboy hats are made with different materials such as straw, felt, wool or leather. There are many styles of cowboy hats, including flat-top, round-crown, wide-brimmed, narrow-brimmed, etc.
In this article, we will discuss the top reasons why cowboys wear cowboy hats. So, let’s start!
Why do cowboys wear cowboy hats?
There are many reasons why cowboys wear cowboy hats. A cowboy hat protects the head from weather elements. The cowboy hat is the essential piece of equipment that every cowboy needs, and cowboy hats also protect the face from dust, dirt, and insects.
A cowboy hat can be a fashion statement too. Many cowboys wear cowboy hats because they like how they look and may even wear cowboy hats just for fun.
Also read: Why do Texans wear cowboy hat?
Following are some of the significant reasons why cowboys wear cowboy hats:
1) Cowboy hats are comfortable:
Cowboy hats are one of the most comfortable hats. They fit well and stay put all day long, making them perfect for any activity where you need to spend time outdoors.
Cowboy hats are easy to wear and remove, and you don’t need to worry about your hair tangled up in your hat. Plus, cowboy hats are very lightweight, so there is no weight to carry around.
2) Cowboy hats keep the sun out of the eyes:
If you live in a hot climate, you know how important it is to protect yourself from the heat. Cowboy hats are great at keeping the sun off your face. Even if you are not working outside, you should wear a cowboy hat to protect your face from the sun.
This is one of the main reasons why cowboys wear cowboy hats. Since cowboys work hard all day long, they must protect themselves from the sun. A cowboy hat helps them to avoid being burned by the sun.
Also read: Why are cowboy hats shaped the way they are?
3) Cowboy hats protect against bugs and pests:
Another good reason why cowboys wear cowboy hats is that it protects them from bugs and pests. Bugs and pests can easily land on your skin and irritate you. If you work outdoors, you want to avoid these pesky little critters.
Wearing a cowboy hat protects the cowboys from these bugs and pests, which means that they won’t get bitten while working outdoors.
4) Cowboy hats offer protection against wind and rain:
If you work outdoors, you know how much your clothes get wet during rainy days. Cowboy hats offer excellent protection against wind and rain. Since cowboys often work in harsh conditions, they wear cowboy hats to protect themselves from the wind and rain.
5) Cowboy hats give a stylish appearance:
Wearing a cowboy hat makes the cowboys feel more confident. When we see someone wearing a cowboy hat, we immediately assume that person must be tough and strong. Cowboys are known to be tough people who love to work hard, so they look more confident and assertive when they wear cowboy hats.
6) To communicate with others:
Cowboys use their hats as a nonverbal way to direct attention and greet others. For example, when a cowboy wants to tell someone something, he will raise his cowboy hat above his head and point toward the other person. This gesture tells the other person what the cowboy wants to say.
A cowboy usually raises his hat and waves at other cowboys or riders to greet or say goodbye. He might also tip his hat to say hi or bye. Furthermore, many cowboys use the hat to swat a horse or herd cattle, to shoo away flies, or to protect themselves from the sun.
7) To pull water from streams:
Cowboys, while riding their horses, may need to drink some water. In this case, they will pull the water from a stream using their cowboy hat. The crown of the cowboy’s hat acts like a bucket and collects the water.
Since cowboy hats are water-repellant, they are perfect for collecting water. They are also easy to clean because dirt doesn’t stick to them.
Also read: Why were cowboy hats invented?
Conclusion
Cowboys love to wear their cowboy hats. They wear cowboy hats to protect themselves from the elements, such as the sun, insects, and rain. They use their cowboy hats to communicate with others and even collect water from the stream.
Apart from these, there may be various other reasons cowboys wear cowboy hats. I hope you liked our article and found it helpful. Please share this post with others.
FAQs
Did cowboys always wear cowboy hats?
Yes, cowboys always prefer their cowboy hats over any other hats, and they feel more confident and comfortable in their cowboy hats than in different hats.
Why did cowboys wear hats at night?
In the past, cowboys used to sleep outside. They would cover themselves with blankets and lay down under the stars during the night. However, due to the cold weather, they needed to keep warm. Therefore, they started wearing their felt cowboy hats. These hats were made of the fur of animals which kept them warm.
Can I wear a cowboy hat indoors?
You can wear a cowboy hat inside your house if you want to. However, cowboy hats are mainly built for outdoor use to protect cowboys from extreme weather.
