Cowboy Hat Care

Cowboy Hat Care

Our Six Gun cowboy hat with a hat stretcher in it, sitting on our wooden hat stand. The best way to display your hat.

Cowboy Hat Care

Here are some best practices for taking care of your hat (s). With a reasonable amount of care our fine last best west hats will last as long as the owner wants it to.

  • Never lay your hat brim down! NEVER! EVER! This puts a lot of stress on the brim and will cause it to lose its shape. Be sure that you place the hat on its crown with the brim up, if no other option is available.

  • Ever wonder why your cowboy hat seems to shrink if it hasn’t been worn in a few weeks or months? This is one of the most common problems that hat owners experience. The reason is fairly straight forward. When you wear a cowboy hat chances are you will sweat in it, which will get the leather sweat band wet, sometimes even really wet. Then the hat is taken off and not worn again for a week or 2 or maybe months. During this time the leather sweat band dries out, thus causing the leather to shrink slightly, causes the fit to tighten up. Generally wearing your hat for a day will stretch it out again, but if you have our hat retainer/stretcher – this little tool will either keep the size and fit correct, as the sweatband/hat dries, or stretch it out for comfort when the fit tightens.
  • If you sweat up your hat make sure you wipe the sweat band and hat liner down every day. Sweat is acidic in nature and is a breading ground for bacteria, and will rot any material over time. After a sweaty day in your hat, it should be wiped down with a damp cloth with mild dish soap on the sweat band and hat liner, anywhere you sweated. Then put the hat stretcher in it to hold the size as it dries overnight. A hat is no different than a pair of jeans, shirt or socks and underwear. It is worn against your skin and should be cleaned as described. You’d never wear a pair of jeans for 5 years without cleaning it, the same standard should be applied to your hats. 
  • When your hat gets wet let it dry naturally. Don’t put it in the furnace room or use a blow dryer on it! Put a hat retainer/stretcher in the hat to hold the proper size. This is a very useful tool to keep all your hats fitting properly, for a small price.
  • When your hat gets dirty or dusty, easiest way to clean it is with a hat brush, or some other soft bristled brush.

Solid Wood Hat Stand

  • Where to hang your hat! Hang the hat on a hat stand, coat hook, or some other such perch. That way the curled part of the brim is not taking any weight. Our wooden hat stand is a great alternative.
  • KEEP THE BOX YOUR CUSTOM HAT COMES IN FOR MOVING OR TRAVEL. Hard plastic “hat cans” are also a great solution for travel and storage. If you are storing your hat for an extended period – put it in a bag as dust will damage your hat over time – but be sure to leave the bag open slightly to allow air to circulate. If you don’t mildew may occur. Never store your hat for extended periods of time upside down, gravity will act on it and the shape will distort.
  • Should you spill whiskey, beer or some other tasty beverage on your hat, once you stop crying; rinse the spot immediately with COLD WATER ONLY! If you use warm water it can set the stain. Once the fur-felt is dry, brush with a hat brush, or an old toothbrush, to bring the nap back.
  • If you get chocolate or some other sticky substance on your hat let it dry before attempting to clean. Grab a small knife and gingerly scrap the crud off. If you want to try returning it to like new – there are numerous commercial cleaners available for your Cowboy Hat. Most large western wear chains have a selection to choose from.

Disclaimer! Supplied as information only – your own common sense should always be followed.

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Re-enactor friends of the last best west


  • Josey Wales Cowboy Hat

    $375.00$780.00
    Josey Wales Cowboy hat - our take on this classic western movie hat Our version of the Josey Wales hat has a bound brim edge and a satin ribbon and bow for the hat band, with the optional cav cord over it. You can choose white, yellow, black, red, or 2 styles of officer for your cavalry cord. Shown in bone with optional heavy trail dust, and unsoiled in silver belly.
    • CROWN:4 1/2 inches
    • BRIM: 4"
    • Crown: Slight front pinch, Pecan top.
    • Brim: 1/2" Kettle Curl Bound
    • Hatband: 1" satin ribbon with optional Cavalry Cord
    • Color: Bone with optional heavy soiling And unsoiled in our classic silver belly color
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown
    • Hatband not sold separately
  • Thing Movie Hat

    $410.00$830.00
    Our take on Kurt Russell's hat from the Thing. The Thing Movie Hat - This 4 dent military style has the largest dimensions we can make. A 6 inch crown with a 5" brim. If you'd like the brim flatter on the sides, just put that request in the Production Notes box below.
    • Crown: 6 inches
    • Brim: 5"
    • Crown: 4 Dent Military
    • Color Shown: Chocolate
    • Brim: Hand Shaped -open
    • Hatband: Wrapped 3/4" distressed leather strapping/windstring
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown
  • Rigby Reardon Fedora

    $355.00$770.00
    Rigby Reardon Fedora - our version of the hat from Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. {1982} Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid may be the cleverest movie in the history of film. This was the first film that cut in classic film scenes and legendary film stars into the plot and dialogue of the story.

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    • Crown: 5"
    • Brim 2 3/4" inches
    • Hatband: 2" Grosgrain ribbon and bow.
    • Crown: Fedora
    • Brim: Snap Brim, hand shaped Open
    • Color: Black
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown
  • Indiana Jones Adventure Hat

    $355.00$770.00

    Our take on the Indiana Jones adventure hat (fedora) from the Indiana Jones movie.

    A classic fedora crown with a rakish curve to the brim brought this old hat back into public favor with the enormously popular Indiana Jones movies. Harrison Ford established himself as one of the top leading men in Hollywood with his portrayal of Archaeologist turned Treasure Hunter, Indiana Jones in 1981. We have modified the look of our Indiana Jones Adventure Hat by doing a 3 1/2" inch brim for better weather protection. If you wish the 2 3/4" inch brim (like the movie hat) just request it in the production notes as you put your hat order together below.
    • Crown: 4 inches
    • Brim 3 1/2" inches
    • Hatband: 1" Satin ribbon w/bow OR leather
    • Crown: Fedora Pinch
    • Brim: Hand Rolled Open
    • Color Shown: Pecan
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown

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