Proper Care For Cowboy Hats

By: Jason Atilia

Cowboy hats have been considered as a sign of masculinity for
decades. Moreover, the hats are also important parts of
American tradition and heritage. The hats first gained
popularity in the West and were used by the cowboys for work
and social events. But recently, cowboys hats are not only
considered functional or cultural. The hats have made the leap
from function to fashion. No longer confined to outdoor work
and shepherding sheep, the hats made their presence felt in
today's fashion scene.

Initially made to withstand extreme weather conditions like
rain, snow, and Western heat, contemporary cowboy hats maintain
their quality. But as a tribute to modern fashion, the hat
styles and materials have varied over the years. Now, there is
a number of different designs, styles, and colors. There are
even designers whose sole purpose is to make fashionable hats.
Despite the evolution of these hats, experts still hold to the
popular opinion that custom hats are better. Of course, custom
hats are more expensive. According to Joella Torres, making
sure that custom hats are cared for properly should be a top
priority for consumers. Torres comes from a family of hat
makers and currently heads a cowboy hats company. She gives
easy maintenance tips for every cowboy hat enthusiast.

First, cowboy hats can take on natural elements like snow or
rain. However, before storage, the hats must be air-dried. A
common mistake that is fatal to the hats is exposure to heat. A
dry and clean corner where the hats can sit until dried is
enough. Second, the hats are constructed using fabric and other
natural materials like felt or fur. This means that the hats are
prone to staining. Torres warns hat enthusiasts not to rub or
wipe off thick substances like mud or drips from the hats.
Wiping these substances while fresh may cause it to seep into
the hats' material, creating unsightly stains. The trick is to
let these substances dry completely then scrape them off with
rulers or credit cards. For hats made of different materials
like shag, regular brushing should keep the sheen longer.
Washing these hats are not recommended since washing makes the
hair fall off.

Storage is also an important consideration in hat maintenance.
Keeping hats in their original boxes consumes too much space.
Not to mention that the boxes are prone to insect holes. Torres
advises keeping cowboy hats in individual plastic bags with
twist tie locks. Cowboy hats are interesting and expensive
pieces, so letting insects get to them is tantamount to losing
a good investment.

Horseback Riding Article Source: http://www.horsebackridingarticles.com

About The Author: For more valuable information on cowboy hats, please visit www.cowboy-hats.net

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