The Stetson hat, named after its inventor John B. Stetson, is synonymous with the well-known high-crowned cowboy hat with a wide brim, symbolizing Western pride and bravado. It is best known as a defining piece of North American cowboy clothing. Today, the cowboy hat is worn by many people and is associated with ranchers in the western and southern United States, western Canada, and northern Mexico, with country music singers, and with members of the North American rodeo.
The Stetson Hat Company was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1865 when John B. Stetson decided to mass-produce modified sombreros he had made for himself during his long western expedition. The model of the Stetson hat in the photo below is called "Boss of the Plains". With a high folded crown and wide molded brim, itbecame the prototype for all other models of cowboy hats.
Now located in St. Joseph, Missouri, a cowboy hat factory and a second factory in Galveston, Texas, continue to produce the Boss of the Plains, as well as over 100 variants as men's Stetson hats, and women's.
History
The concept of a wide-brimmed, high-crowned hat worn by a rider can be found as early as the Mongols in the 13th century. The high crown provided warmth, the wide brim provided shade. The hot sunny climate calls for just the design of the Mexican sombrero.
It is not exactly known when the cowboy hat began to be called such. Initially, there were no standard headdresses in the West. People wore different styles of hats, including top hats, derbies, Civil War headdresses, and sailor hats. Cowboys wore wide-brimmed high-tops long before modern design. However, the invention of the cowboy hat, as we know today, belongs to John Batterson Stetson.
In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the Stetson hat was an indispensable item in every man's wardrobe. The inventor focused on expensive, high-quality headwear that represented both a real investment for a cowboy and a statement of success for a city dweller.
President Ronald Reagan demonstrated the popularity of the cowboy hat as a movie star, as a residentof the American West and as a horse rider.
The strength and water resistance of the original Stetson hat were made public in 1912 when the armored cruiser Maine was raised ashore in Havana, where it sank in 1898. A hat was found in a sunken ship that had been in the water for 14 years. She was exposed to moisture, dirt and algae. However, when it was cleaned, no damage was found on it.
Stetson hat raw materials
Modern cowboy hats are made from felt made from various types of fur, preferably beaver, rabbit and wild hares, straw or less often leather. They have simple sweat bands on the inside to stabilize the fit to the shape of the head, and usually a small decorative band on the outside.
Hot water is an essential part of the felting process. Dyes are used to achieve different shades of felt (the original color depends on the color of the fur). Stetson hats come in almost any color, but are most commonly seen in beige, brown, and black. Beginning in the 1940s, pastel colors emerged, often seen on hats worn by movie cowboys and rodeo riders. Powder is used to soften the felt.
Leather is another component that is needed to form the inside of a Stetson cowboy hat. To decorate the outer part of the crown, a two-layer or two-core tape is used. Today'sThe cowboy hat has remained virtually unchanged in construction and design since the first was created in 1865 by J. B. Stetson.
Shape
Having tried on a hat, a person will immediately understand what size and shape of his head he has. It is recommended that you purchase a hat that is closest in size and shape and then order a custom design. For beginners, when choosing a Stetson hat, it is better to contact a specialist who can provide a service for selecting a suitable hat at the point of sale.
Quality control
Stetson hats go through many stages of testing to ensure that the finish, fit and quality are appropriate and to identify any imperfections. One of the main factors that determine the price of a cowboy headdress is the quality of the felt, which is determined by the type of fur and skin, the habitat of the animal whose fur is used (wild or domestic), the age of the fur and its color.
High quality Stetson hat is lightweight, with relatively thin, smooth, pliable felt. It is made of high quality material and is sewn, not glued. It is durable, holds up well and can be repaired. And be sure to match the shape of the head.
