An excellent cowboy hat is indeed an investment for many years. If the hat is protected and cared for appropriately, the vintage-styled one can last for a pretty long time. The western hats are a bit expensive, and you ought to know ways to take care of them. You must learn the way to store them while you are at home and the ways you can carry them while you travel. This article shall give you detailed information on protection and care for your cowboy hat.
Before we dig deep into the matter, let us understand that the cowboy hat is not supposed to be messed with. That means to say, if someone is wearing it, do not even attempt to touch it. It is theirs, and it is their belonging. And do not allow anyone to meddle with your hat, as it might be one of the reasons for the hat losing its shape.
Buy the Right Hat
This is the fundamental aspect of protecting yourself, your looks, and the hat. Do not buy hats that are big on you. It might look so silly, and the very purpose of creating a style statement is spoilt. At the same time, do not buy the too-small one to fit. You will feel uncomfortable. Buy the one that fits right on your head. Significantly, the straw hats get to expand if it is too tight. Buy the one that is tight initially, and it slowly grows to fit right on your head.
However, the above theory is not suitable for felt or leather western hats. You must look for the ones that rightly fit on your head as the dimensions of the hat tend to stay the same even after years of usage. If the hat fits right, it will remain forever with you. This is the first step for you to protect your cowboy hat.
Handling The Hat
Let us quickly see how you must handle the hat while wearing it. Always wear the hat without holding the crown or the brim. Use the front or back of the brim close to the crown to do so. Also, when wearing it, hold it with any of the three fingers and have it mild. Do not crush the crown. At the same time, if you are adjusting the hat, do it with the same area alone.
Understand the best parts of the cowboy hat are the brim and the crown, so do not handle the hat harshly. Do not hold or remove the hat with the brim. It is the crown that your hand must be in contact with. Similarly, placing it on the hat rack or the table, use the crown and land it on the brim.
How Can You Pack a Hat While You Travel?
You would not want to carry the hat in a suitcase, or a backpack, do you? The beauty of a cowboy hat is its shape. If you take it in any bag or a briefcase, it shall lose its shape. If you have spent a lot on your hat, you can very well spend a fraction of it to purchase a hat carrier. The carrier cans are the best to store your hat while you travel.
The hat carrier can is a broad carrier that can hold hats up to 7 to 8 inches in height and the brim size of 5 inches. As we have seen already, the hat’s brim and crown must be intact, and you cannot afford to meddle with that.
Interestingly, such carrier cans are made of high-quality plastic material. It not only makes it lightweight but also prevents moisture from entering. Some cans are also made of steel, which is sturdier than plastic ones. All said and done; the protocol is to carry the hat using a carrier can as you travel from one place to another.
Storing the Cowboy Hat
Even if you do not have a hat carrier, you can store the hat at your house. There is an essential factor you must not miss out on. Ensure that the hat is thoroughly dusted before storing it. It shall help the hat to sustain for a longer time. The leather and felt hats are durable but in constant contact with the dust, and if it stays for a longer time, it might spoil the charm.
Place the hat on a rack or a table if you do not have a carrier can with you. Ensure that the cap is placed on its crown and not on the brim.
There are occasions where you can find the band of the hat is wet due to sweat. Do not store it with sweat. As you dust it, you also dry the hat before storing it.
A word of caution, do not even attempt to place the cowboy hat on the brim. It shall change the shape of the brim and make it flat, which does not look good on you.
Permanently remove the hat by holding the front or back part of the hat. Do not use the brim, but the area connects the bill and the crown. Also, hold the area softly while removing or wearing them.
Lastly, never use an electric dryer or a machine dryer for drying the hat. We may do so if it is wet due to rain or sweat. Allow it in the mild sunshine and windy area; it shall dry off on its own.
Quick Tips to Maintain the Shape of your Hat
- Use a hat shaper to maintain the shape for a long time
- Hold the hat using the crown
- Use a fabric steamer to reshape the hat
So, when you handle your favorite hat with care, it will last a lifetime!
