nine west vintage boots

Looking Western with 6 Best Cowboy Hat Brands

Have cowboy hats gone out of style now because you don’t really see people wear them anymore? The answer is no. This style of hat is still loved by many people, especially those who are in love with Western fashion. Whether you’re gardening in your backyard, hitting the hiking trails, heading out to the ranch, visiting the rodeo, or simply want to look your best in Western attire these hats are a must-have in your clothes. If you haven’t found the perfect hat, let us help you with our list of 6 best cowboy hat brands.

What is a Cowboy Hat

For those who don’t know, a cowboy hat is a wide-brimmed hat with a high crown typically made of felt, straw, or leather. Cowboy hats often feature a creased crown and a decorative hatband. They also come in various styles and can be customized with different embellishments, such as feathers, conchos, or braided hat bands. They’re traditionally worn by cowboys and ranchers. These hats are an iconic symbol of the American West and are associated with the cowboy lifestyle. You can see these American cowboy hats everywhere, from country-theme parties to shows, movies and comic books about Western America. Since the Western region is hot and dusty, cowboy hats are designed to provide protection from the elements, including the sun, rain, and wind, making them perfect for every adventure.

How to Style a Cowboy Hat

Even when you have an expensive, high-quality, made-of-finest material cowboy hat, if you don’t know how to style it correctly, your outfit will not turn out the way you want. This is our guide so you can look your best in your Western-style cowboy hat.

Choose the Right Hat: Go for a cowboy hat that complements your face shape and personal style. You should consider the brim width, crown height, and overall design of the hat if you don’t want to make a purchase on a hat that looks weird on you.

Pair with Western-Inspired Outfits: A Western outfit can’t be completed without a cowboy hat. Pair them with denim jeans, flannel shirts, cowboy boots, or leather jackets for an authentic Western look. You can also put them on while wearing flowy dresses or skirts if you’re into a more feminine, boho look.

Balance Proportions: The most important aspect of a perfect outfit is the proportion. Since cowboy hats have a wide brim and a high crown, it’s important to balance the proportions with your outfit. If you’re wearing a voluminous or loose-fitting top, opt for slim-fitting bottoms so your overall look can be more cohesive.

Consider Hair Styling: If you have long hair, you can wear it down and let it flow naturally under the hat. Alternatively, you can create loose braids or a messy bun to keep your hair out of the way while showcasing the hat. These effortless yet stylish hairstyles will definitely bring you back to the Western country of dust and sun.

Best Cowboy Hat Brands

Stetson

Stetson is an American brand of hats that was founded over 158 years ago, making it one of the most iconic and recognized cowboy hat brands. Their hats, especially cowboy hats are known for their high-quality materials, excellent craftsmanship, and classic Western designs.

There are many customers who have bought and used Stetson cowboy hats, most of them have a quite good experience with them. Their hats are made from durable materials and offer excellent sun protection. It fits comfortably and securely, even in windy conditions. Overall, this is a high-quality cowboy hat at a reasonable price.

Resistol

Resistol is another well-respected brand in the cowboy hat industry. This brand offers a wide range of styles and designs, including traditional felt hats and straw hats. This brand’s hats are chosen by consumers thanks to their durability, comfort and flexibility.

Resistol cowboy hats are praised for their amazing design, affordable price and materials. After a year, the hat might start to lose its shape but you can still reshape it so to most buyers, it’s not a big deal. If you want a cowboy hat that is suitable for both going out and running errands, this is the one.

American Hat Company

The American Hat Company is a family-owned business that produces handmade cowboy hats. Their attention to detail, excellent fit, a variety of hat styles and materials and their dedication to each product have attracted many customers.

Since American Hat Company cowboy hats are always in neutral colors, they go well with all kinds of clothes. They also come with different designs so even when you’re the pickiest with your clothes, there is still one that suits you.

Charlie 1 Horse

Charlie 1 Horse is a popular brand that combines Western style with a modern twist. If you’re a fan of unique designs and embellishments, you might want to check out this brand.

The huge number of positive feedback on Charlie 1 Horse cowboy hats is about their design and comfort. Unlike many cowboy hats, this one is extremely lightweight, which is suitable for going around on trips or gardening under the sun. However, compared to other products on the market, the price of this hat is a little bit higher.

Bailey Western

If you think cowboy hats are too “Vintage” to wear nowadays, then don’t worry because Bailey Western hats can change your mind. Their hats are designed to give off a very Western yet modern vibe, making them perfect for pairing with modern clothes.

Bailey Western hats provide a perfect fit that helps wearers move around without any issues. It’s also very lightweight so this hat won’t weigh your head down when you wear it. But Bailey Western hats are quite soft so reshaping it is essential to keep it in shape.

Larry Mahan

Larry Mahan is a brand that specializes in cowboy hats and western wear so you can totally trust their hats’ quality. Their classic cowboy hat styles are made from premium materials and are known for their durability and timeless appeal.

When it comes to quality, there is nothing to complain about these durable, tough hats as they are made for long, extreme road trips. While these are very amazing hats, you might find them quite expensive, but overall they’re worth buying items.

We know that fewer people are wearing cowboy hats these days but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth your money. Who knows if you’re going to go on a long trip or you’re going to be invited to a Western-theme party. After all, fashion is all about self-expression so don’t be afraid to wear what you love because we can see that you look the most beautiful in it.

GUIDE TO JAPANESE SUBSTYLES

This is a list of various substyles within fashion, along with their definitions. Keep in mind that styles often overlap and mix, so don’t worry too much about labeling your outfit under one specific substyle. In the end, it’s all still girly kei!

Core Styles

CASUAL GIRLY

As the name implies, this substyle is casual girly kei. The clothing is often oversized and made from comfortable materials, promoting a relaxed vibe. Hairstyles, makeup, and accessories tend to be simple, with braids and twintails commonly seen. This versatile substyle can range from modest to flashy, depending on how you choose to coordinate your outfit.

SWEET GIRLY

The most popular substyle is known for its playful, over-the-top details like lace, ribbons, and plenty of cute prints. Pastel shades dominate, though darker colors can also be found. Decorative elements are more extravagant compared to other styles, and hair accessories like headbands and ribbons woven into ornate hairstyles are common. Accessories and even main pieces often feature bijou detailing, adding a touch of sparkle. When it comes to footwear, platforms are the most popular choice, though tea party shoes and Mary Janes are also frequently seen. During winter, ankle boots become a stylish and practical option.

FRENCH GIRLY

French girly is a substyle that embodies the romanticized image of a young French woman, similar to the popular “French model aesthetic” seen on TikTok. Outfits typically feature lower platforms and a monochromatic palette of black, white, and gray, often mixed with creams and off-whites. Key elements include hairbands, pearl and gold accents, curled hair, berets, tweed, and ruffled sleeves. Many wearers incorporate high-end European fashion designers into their looks through accessories or cosmetics. While French text is common on accessories, it’s rarely found on clothing.

NATURAL GIRLY

At first glance, natural girly may resemble mori fashion, sharing a vintage-inspired aesthetic. It features a soft silhouette with longer skirts and delicate embroidery. Earth tones are popular, along with square-toed shoes, loafers, canvas bags, and minimal or no-makeup looks. Thrifting is a common practice among natural girly wearers, who often prefer pieces made from all-natural fabrics.

OTONA GIRLY

This substyle caters to those looking for a more mature look. Outfits typically feature longer skirts and a toned-down aesthetic with fewer details. While not always the case, colors tend to be muted, creating a more understated appearance compared to other styles. Solid colors, simple floral patterns, and polka dots are common, along with designer handbags and high heels. Newcomers may find it challenging to distinguish otona from general feminine fashion, as the style emphasizes subtle cute details, even in its simplicity!

RETRO GIRLY

This substyle draws inspiration from retro fashions, making you look as though you’ve stepped right out of the past! It often includes outfits resembling old-fashioned school uniforms, with browns, creams, and lots of plaid being key elements. Folded socks, tights, Mary Janes, and hats are also common accessories. Despite the vintage feel, the clothes in this style aren’t actually vintage but are designed to have a retro aesthetic. It’s all about capturing the charm of old-school fashion while keeping it fresh and modern!

DARK GIRLY

Despite its name, this substyle isn’t just girly kei in dark colors—it has a distinctly edgy vibe. Unlike sweet girly, which focuses on cuteness, dark girly embraces a bolder, more rebellious atmosphere. Key elements include heavy makeup, bondage-inspired accessories, and dramatic platform shoes. Religious iconography, like crosses, hexagrams, and rosaries, is commonly featured. Lace socks and fishnet stockings are popular in this style, with ripped fishnets being a common touch to add to the edgy aesthetic. This substyle blends a sense of mystery with a tough, fashion-forward attitude.

Related Styles

HIMEKAJI

Contrary to what some in the West may believe, himekaji is not solely a gyaru substyle! This fashion is defined by floral prints and abundant lace. While short skirts were prevalent during the gyaru boom, longer garments are now popular and can also be styled for girly kei. Pearl details and accessories are just as common as bijou elements, with an emphasis on keeping accessories elegant and cute.

MENHERA

If you’re not familiar with the menhera subculture, it’s a good idea to start with articles by Menheratic. The style often features vent art prints, with a variety of clothing options, including girly pieces. Outfits typically consist of an oversized top worn as a dress, minimal accessories, platform shoes, simple hairstyles, and byojaku makeup. However, it’s important to remember that menhera primarily focuses on mental health awareness, and the true essence of a coord lies in the meaning assigned to it by the wearer!

JERSEY MAID

Since around 2020, Japanese alternative fashion enthusiasts have embraced (often kawaii-fied) tracksuits and a general gopnik attitude, which has influenced various styles, including girly kei. Although the term suggests a maid-like appearance, it applies to all sorts of frilly tracksuit-inspired outfits, regardless of whether they feature an apron. It’s worth noting that searching for “tracksuit” won’t yield the desired results; they’re referred to as “jersey” in this context. This trend is closely tied to the mizuiro aesthetic, popularized by Tenshi Zyoshi.

CHINA KEI

This style has been around for some time but is often unfamiliar by name. China kei is a kawaii-inspired take on traditional Chinese clothing, including tangzhuang, qipao, and hanfu. Accessories like bun covers, hair sticks, and Chinese knots are common. While Japanese brands may occasionally release similar items, it’s much more prevalent among Chinese indie brands on platforms like Taobao.

OtherJAPANESE TRADITIONAL

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL

Many reinterpretations of traditional Japanese clothing exist across various styles, and girly kei is no exception. This aesthetic includes numerous kimono and yukata designs, as well as girly kei brand releases that incorporate iconic collars and sleeves while maintaining the fashion’s essence. Wearers often pair these outfits with girly kei accessories, intricate hair ribbons, and decorative nails to complete the look. Some may even choose non-traditional platform shoes instead of tabi and geta!

GIRLY-INSPIRED COSTUMES

Given the fashion’s popularity, it’s no surprise that there are costumes inspired by the girly kei style. Themes like jiangshi, nurses, maids, and nuns often receive a girly kei twist, especially in Halloween specials of Larme magazine. Essentially, if you can imagine it, you can make it girly! While not always shown, it’s also common to see idol costumes infused with girly elements.

conclusion

While this may not be an exhaustive list, I hope you found it informative! If there’s a specific substyle you feel is missing and deserves attention, don’t hesitate to reach out to me in my inbox!