The Stetson hat is a type of cowboy hat made by the Stetson Hat Company. It was named after John Batterson Stetson, who founded the company in 1869. The hat is made of felt and includes a high concentration of beaver fur, making it waterproof. Modern Stetson hats come in a variety of colors and sizes. It’s important to try on a Stetson hat to ensure a good fit and to store it properly to prevent damage.
A Stetson hat is a special type of cowboy hat made by the Stetson Hat Company, currently based in the US state of Texas. The distinctive design of the Stetson hat has become so iconic that many people use the term generically to refer to any type of cowboy hat, although the Stetson company works hard to protect its trademark. Most hat shops, especially those that offer western-style hats, carry Stetsons, and you can also order direct from the company.
This hat is named for John Batterson Stetson, a hatmaker who lived from 1830 to 1906. In 1869, Stetson founded a hat company in Philadelphia that began producing the distinctive wide-brimmed, high-crowned felt hats, as well as revolutionized the hat-making industry, becoming one of the first hat companies to mechanize.
There are a number of myths about the origins of the Stetson hat, most of which are centered in the American West. In fact, the Stetson design was developed by a hat manufacturer in England and licensed by Stetson. Christy’s Hats, the original manufacturer, may not have been able to capitalize on the design, but Stetson more than made up for it, developing an iconic hat still worn by cowboys and Western fans today.
Classically, the Stetson hat is made of felt that includes a high concentration of beaver fur. The felt design makes the hat waterproof, ensuring the wearer’s head and shoulders stay dry during inclement weather. The wide brim shields the eyes and face from the sun, and in a pinch, a Stetson hat can be reversed and used as a water bowl for people or horses. The siding is often waterproofed to ensure that it will safely hold water.
Modern Stetson hats come in a variety of colors and sizes, and can be braided from straw as well as felted. The company makes dress and casual hats, along with custom-made hats for organizations like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which has historically used Stetson hats on formal uniforms for some divisions.
When selecting a Stetson hat, it’s important to try it on to make sure it fits you well. Stetsons can be cleaned with damp cloths and soft brushes, and in the case of hat stains, use talc or cornstarch to absorb the stain and then gently dust them off. Stetsons should not be exposed to extreme heat or humidity, and should be stored in their crowns so the rim doesn’t get crushed. It is also extremely reckless and impolite to wear someone else’s Stetson, as hats conform to their wearers’ heads over years of wear, and an unknown wearer may stretch the hat out of shape.
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