Tall Crown Hats: The Iconic Cowboy Hat Style of the Wild West

The History of the Tall Crown Hat

Tall crown hats, sometimes called "ten gallon hats," have a long and storied history. These distinctive hats are an icon of the American West and cowboy culture. Their name comes from the tall, distinctive crown that sits high on the wearer's head.

Origins in Mexico

Tall crown hats trace their origins to sombreros worn by vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) in the 19th century. These early cowboy hats had high crowns and wide brims to provide shade from the hot Mexican sun.

When American cowboys drove cattle from Mexico up to markets in the United States in the mid-1800s, they adopted styles of dress from the Mexican vaqueros, including their tall, high-crowned sombreros.

Adoption by American Cowboys

Over time, American cowboys modified the Mexican sombrero to better suit the climate and riding style of the American West. The brims became shorter and sturdier to hold up to long days riding in wind and weather.

By the late 1800s, the iconic high-crowned western hat we now know had emerged, providing cowboys with shade from the sun and protection from rain and dust.

Rise of American Hat Brands

Several American hat companies emerged to meet the demand for tall crown cowboy hats, including famous brands like Stetson and Resistol. They used premium materials like beaver fur to make durable, yet comfortable hats.

The most skilled hatters became celebrities in their own right, with hat aficionados eagerly awaiting the yearly lines of prestigious hat makers.

Key Features of Tall Crown Hats

Over the past century or more, key distinguishing features have emerged that make tall crown hats iconic.

The Crown

As the name suggests, tall crown hats are defined by their distinctive, towering crown. The crown sits high on the wearer's head, often between 6 and 10 inches tall.

The height and shape provides a lofty platform for decorative hat bands and helps vent heat from cowboys' heads.

The Crease

The crown is pinched or creased near the top on either side. This helps the tall crown maintain its shape and not flop over. Creases can be seen as decorative elements, with some more sharply defined than others.

The Brim

Tall crown hats have relatively broad brims to provide shade for cowboys' faces and necks. Brims may be left flat or curled on the sides. They are typically dense but flexible to hold their shape.

Hat Bands

A decorative hat band wraps around the crown of most tall crown hats. They are often spotted, checkered or simply a solid contrasting color from the main hat. Hat bands evolved from the sweat bands cowboys wore to soak up sweat and keep it from dripping in their eyes.

Modern Culture of Tall Crown Hats

While essential gear for real working cowboys, tall crown hats are also iconic symbols of cowboy culture, the American West and country music.

In the Rodeo Arena

From professional bull riders to rodeo clowns, tall crown hats remain ubiquitous in the modern rodeo arena and at county fairs across the American west. They are part of the cowboy uniform and signaling you are an authentic western rider.

Country Music Icon

Stars of country music wear tall crown hats both on and off stage. Names like Garth Brooks, George Strait and Blake Shelton are rarely seen without one. For many musicians and fans, the tall crown hat is a central signal of cowboy authenticity and connection to rural, western roots.

Fashion Symbol

Beyond its western origins, the iconic tall crown hat is frequently adopted in modern fashion as a bold accessory. Both men and women pair tall crown hats with formal wear and designer clothing for an attention-grabbing western flair.

Some of the most famous names in fashion like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein have featured tall crown hats on runways and photo shoots.

The unique American style continues to fascinate modern designers and wearers globally.

FAQs

Why are tall crown hats called "ten gallon hats"?

No one is quite sure where the name "ten gallon hat" came from. The tall crown does not actually hold ten gallons. One theory is early cowboy hats were so water resistant that they could be used to give a thirsty horse a drink, up to 10 gallons worth.

How can you shape a tall crown hat?

The best way to set the shape of a new tall crown hat is to gently but firmly massage and flex the crown while damp. Let it fully air dry or use a hat shaping block. Avoid getting newer hats wet.

Why do cowboys pinch the crowns of their hats?

Cowboys often pinch the crown of their tall hats into a teardrop or dimple shape near the crease. This helps the tall crown maintain its iconic lofty shape instead of flopping over on one side or the other while riding long days on the ranch.

Do tall crown hats provide any practical benefits?

Yes! In addition to iconic cowboy style, tall crowns provide shade from the hot Western sun, vent heat from the head and protect cowboys' heads from rain, dust and errant mesquite branches.

What's a good way to clean my straw tall crown hat?

Use a stiff hat brush to dust off loose dirt. For deeper cleaning to remove stains or heavy dirt build up, wipe down with gentle cleanser and use a soft cloth to wipe away residue without damaging the straw material.