The western wear has experienced a huge comeback in the United States as far back as the neon lights of Nashville, to the dusty rodeo arenas of Texas. Women are all over wearing boots and western shirts but the most prominent accessory is the hat. When you are trying on a dressing to a country music festival or during a local horseback riding event, you may be left wondering what is the cowboy hat rules for ladies. The fact is that the western culture is founded on the strong traditions and respect. Although the contemporary fashion has definitely cheated some of the old rules there is still a basic groundwork of etiquette that the real western enthusiasts abide by. The awareness of these unwritten laws will distinguish real cowgirls and passing tourists. This complete guide will help you through all you should know about how to wear and style your western headwear properly so you could walk out with confidence and respect to the culture.
Knowing What Is The Cowboy Hat Rules For Ladies.
When you pose the question what is the cowboy hat rules to ladies you first have to know the history of the western wear in America. The cowboy hat was initially a mere utility hat which was intended to shield the ranch hands against the sun and the cold wind. In the course of decades it turned into a strong representation of the American heritage and the western pride. The rules are more relaxed in the past in the case of women when compared to men since women hats could be taken as a fashion accessory as opposed to wearing a hat as work clothing. But as more women became active ranchers and more active rodeoers the boundaries were broken. Respect is the main rule nowadays. Your hat is regarded as the continuation of your personal space and your personality. It is extremely rude of another person to touch your hat without authorization and it is also rude of the individual to carelessly handle it. When one learns the culture, he or she will realize that this item is not merely a costume but a garment that is respected. The knowledge of the history can make you wear the item in an authentic way whether you are going to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas or simply out line dancing at a local country bar. Women are urged to be able to show their personal style at the same time respecting the practical origins of the accessory.
Office Manners And What To do With Your Hat.
The misunderstanding that can be most prevalent is the one concerning indoor etiquette. Conventionally men are strongly expected to take off their hats when they enter into a privately owned home a restaurant or a church. In the case of women the etiquette is a little different with the kind of hat and the occasion. Assuming that a woman is wearing a cowboy hat as nothing more than a fashion accessory that is part of her outfit, according to traditional etiquette, she can leave it on inside. But when going out on the ranch to work it must be taken off when one gets back home or at a dining table. Be it a fashion item or a working tool there are certain times when removing it is a must to all people. A lady must always take off her cowboy hat and preserve it respectfully over her heart during the singing of the National Anthem the display of the American flag or even a prayer. Politeness also dictates that you take off your hat in a movie theater or concert hall in case your large hat brim is obstructing the view of the person sitting behind you. When you desire to adhere to the western etiquette, it is important to read the room.
Selecting The Right Hat To The Right Season.
The other enormous component of western hat etiquette is regarding seasonal materials. The unwritten calendar in the United States determines when you need to wear felt and when you need to wear straw. Generally the rule of thumb is just in line with the traditional American fashion rule about white clothes. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, you change to a straw cowboy hat. Straw hats are light breathable and are exactly made to cool you down during the hot summer days in the country concerts or summer rodeos. In the winter months and after the Labor Day, change your hat to a felt one. Felt hats are mostly made of wool beaver or a mixture of furs and they are made to ensure that your head remains warm and to keep away rain and snow. Naturally weather conditions and certain events may put exceptions to this rule. When you are in a formal indoor western gala in mid July a good quality felt hat may still be suitable since it is much more befitting than a straw hat. On the other hand, when you are in an environment that is always hot, such as the southern Arizona or Florida, then you may find that straw is usable during a greater part of the year.
How to Wear and Take Care of Your Cowboy Hat.
The way you deal with your headgear physically demonstrates much about your perception of the western culture. You must never hold your cowboy hat by the crown. The shape and the fabric will be destroyed with time as the top crease of the crown is pinched and the material will start to fall apart. If you would always hold it on the heavy part in front or back of the brim. And as soon as it is time to uncover the hat and place it there is a very strict rule that all ladies are supposed to observe. You should always keep your hat upside down on its top. Placing it on a flat surface lying on its right side will flatten the curved shape of the brim eventually. Also, the superstition about the position of the hat is very high in the western culture. A cowboy hat should not under no circumstances be left on a bed. Old cowboy folklore holds that a hat on a bed will bring misfortune or even a tragedy into the house. By adhering or not adhering to this rule, you are either a believer in superstitions or you are respectful of the traditions and tales of western heritage.
How To Wear Your Hat To All Forms of Occasion.
The way in which you are supposed to style your western headwear is all dependent upon what event you are attending. In a professional rodeo or an equestrian event authenticity and functionality are important. You will desire a tight-fitting felt or straw hat in a classic color such as black brown or natural straw combined with a crisp western button- down shirt worn-out denim jeans and real leather boots. When you are going to an up-beat country music festival such as CMA Fest or Stagecoach there is a significant relaxation of the fashion rules. This is the place where women have an opportunity to accept bright colors rhinestone decorations elaborate hatbands and dramatic forms. A sundress or a denim cutoff paired with a bright colored felt hat is a hugely popular festival outfit. To spend the night in a western steakhouse wearing a high-quality beaver felt hat with a tailored blazer and turquoise jewelry would make one look up-market in high fashion western style. The greatest rule of styling is that it should fit correctly. The hat should be positioned directly above the eyebrows and ears without pressing against your forehead or even blowing away in a light breeze. A fitted hat inherently gives you confidence and completes your whole western outfit in a very well-fitted way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Novices of the western fashion world have certain queries when it comes to etiquette and fashion. The question whether ladies can wear their cowboy hats backward is one of the general ones. The reason is definitely not that the inner sweatband typically has a small bow which has to be at the back of your head at all times. Wearing it in the wrong direction is deemed as one of the biggest fashion mistakes. The other common query is what do you do with your hair. The most common hairstyles to wear a cowboy hat are loose waves around the face low ponytails or side braids since the high ponytails or top knots will not allow the hat to be safely placed on the head. It is also raised whether a person should wear a cowboy hat when he does not own a horse and does not live in the south. Yes western wear is a universal American style that has been adopted by everybody in the society provided you wear it with decency. And finally most of the women would enquire on how to wash their hats. In the case of felt, a soft bristle hat brush and brush in counterclockwise direction should be used to remove dust. In the case of straw a quick squipe with a wet cloth is normally enough to remove dirt and sweat following a lengthened summer day out in the open air.
Final Thought
Wearing western clothes is a fantastic means to associate with the American traditional and make your own style. Knowing the rules of the cowboy hat when worn by ladies is a way of appreciating the history surrounding this symbolic hat. Be it the hat you are grasping on the hat and are being respectful of the weather change between felt hat and straw or you are just remembering to remove the hat during the National Anthem these little things really count a lot. The final accessory is confidence, do not be shy to use your western head wear in the same manner that the old rules of etiquette prescribe and experience the eternal beauty that a great cowboy hat can add to any collection.
