Cowboy Hats are a Statement of all that the Word ‘Cowboy’ Represents
Legend has it that John B Stetson invented the cowboy hat while entertaining friends on a hunting trip in the 1860’s. He gathered an armful of fur; worked it by hand, kneading it until it was soft and smooth like a piece of cloth. As a joke he wore it as a hat the rest of the hunting trip but grew fond of it for its protection.
Creativity birthed the Cowboy Hat, function kept it alive, and today it is the undisputed iconic symbol of the American Cowboy. There’s a code of sorts, given the hat you wear, that links you to a certain type of cowboy. The movie Lonesome Dove promoted the ‘Gus’ hat; John Wayne trademarked the rugged, tough, good-guy cowboy; Jim Shoulders was old-style rancher, new style rodeo cowboy; Larry Mahan ushered in the modern cowboy and commercialized a trendy ‘Grizzly’ look; Ty Murray, known as King of the Cowboys, epitomized traditional rodeo but took it to the next level of a cowboy businessman; JB Mauney branded the Cool Hand Luke bull rider look, popularized by TV coverage of PBR events.
Every Cowboy Hat has its own unique story and Hat shaping is an art because every individual face and head shape is different. Each hat must ultimately match that person’s personality, profession and profile. Dave Wagner, owner of Connolly’s is a master at customizing your hat just for you.
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