So let's talk some more about cowboy hats. It's interesting to note that historically the hat that "won the west" was a derby, and not the modern concept of a cowboy hat. The folks that settled the west wore derbies, sailor's hats, top hats, and remnants of Civil War head gear. The styles we see today are more like the creation of J.B. Stetson in 1865, which was in the early hey day of cowboy life and style. Thank God for Stetson, cause C.A. Patton would look stupid in a derby (I reckon I would too...but not as much). Over the years, many styles of cowboy hat has emerged. In fact, there's so many I don't want to attempt to list them, and you probably don't really care. The bottom line: find the one that's right for YOU.
Can you imagine Chad Patton in one of these?
If you look inside a cowboy hat you will notice a "grade" listed in "X's" that tells you the hat's quality. The number of X's listed will tell you how much of the felt is beaver fur and how much is rabbit fur (grading goes from 4X to 100X). Bet you didn't know that did you? So for instance a hat that has 20 X's has 75% beaver and 25% rabbit. A hat with 100 X's is...you guessed it...100% beaver, and usually too expensive to be on my head. Now if you're really paying attention you'll notice that straw hats have an X grading system too. The X's in a straw tell you the quality of the straw and the tightness of the weave. In general, I recommend that you never mess with a hat that has less than 20 X's. Why, you say? Because anything less sucks. Trust me and that's all the reason you need.
If it's good enough for Dutch Reagan...
Now once you've invested in your fine new piece of head apparel, let me give you some etiquette. Whenever you enter a room, take off your hat. If it's a formal occasion (church, wedding, funeral, etc.) leave it off. If informal, it's ok to put it back on. When you sit down at a table to eat, take it off for the duration of the meal, unless there's nowhere you can put it. When sitting at a counter to eat, it can remain on. If you're out on the trail and it's time to eat, leave it on. Otherwise it's going to get stepped on or pooped on by your horse. It's highly recommended that you take it off when you meet and/or greet a lady...and at least tip your hat when saying hello to her (if you're wearing a fur hat tip from the crown, and if you're wearing a straw tip from the brim). If she ain't a lady, leave your damn hat on.
The tipping of the hat is a great custom. Even when greeting men it's a good idea. Tipping your hat got its origins in the Old West as you would move your hand away from your holster and gun when saying hello. It was a message of friendship between strangers. And I think it's still classy. But the bottom line is this: Don't ever grab for another man's hat. You'll most likely get the holster.
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