The hat "Stetson", named after its inventor John B. Stetson, is synonymous with the well-known cowboy hat with a high top and wide brim, symbolizing Western pride and bravado. She is best known as the defining part of cowboy clothing from North America. Today, many people wear a cowboy hat and associate it with ranchers in the western and southern United States, western Canada, and northern Mexico, country-style singers, and members of a North American rodeo.
Stetson Hat was founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1865 when John B. Stetson decided to mass-produce modified sombreros that he made for himself during a long western expedition. The Stetson hat model in the photo below is called The Plains Boss. Having a high folded tulle and wide molded fields, it became the prototype for all other models of cowboy hats.
Currently located in St. Joseph, Missouri, the cowboy hat factory and the second factory in Galveston, Texas, continue to produce “Plains Boss,” as well as more than 100 variants of both men's and women's Stetson hats.
Story
The concept of a wide-brimmed hat with a high top, worn by a horseman, can be found among the Mongols in the 13th century. High tulle provided insulation, wide fields - a shadow. The hot sunny climate requires just such a design as the Mexican sombrero.
It is not known exactly when the cowboy hat began to be called such. Initially, in the West there were no standard hats. People wore hats of various styles, including top hats, derby, headgear, and civilian hats. Cowboys wore wide-brimmed high-waisted long before the advent of modern design. Nevertheless, the invention of a cowboy hat, as is known today, belongs to John Butterson Stetson.
In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the Stetson hat was an indispensable item in every man’s wardrobe. The inventor focused on expensive, high-quality headgear, which was both a real investment for a cowboy and a statement on the success of a city dweller.
President Ronald Reagan demonstrated the popularity of a cowboy hat as a movie star, as a resident of the American West and as a rider on horseback.
The durability and water resistance of the original Stetson hat were publicized in 1912 when the armored cruiser Man was launched on land in Havana, where it sank in 1898. A hat was discovered in the sunken ship that had been in the water for 14 years. It was exposed to moisture, dirt and algae. However, when it was cleaned, no damage was found on it.
Raw material for the hat "Stetson"
Modern cowboy hats are made from felt made from various types of fur, preferably beavers, rabbits and wild hares, straw or less often leather. They have simple sweat bands on the inside to stabilize the fit of the head, and usually a small decorative tape on the outside.
Hot water is an integral part of the felting process. Dyes are used to achieve various shades of felt (the original color depends on the color of the fur). Hats "Stetson" are presented in almost any color, but most often they can be seen in beige, brown and black shades. Beginning in the 1940s, pastel tones appeared, which can often be seen on hats worn by movie cowboys and rodeo riders. Powder is used to soften felt.
Leather is another component that is needed to form the inside of a Stetson cowboy hat. To decorate the outer part of the tulle, a two-layer or two-core tape is used. Today's cowboy hat has barely changed in construction and design since the first J. B. Stetson was created in 1865.
The form
Having tried on a hat, a person will immediately understand what size and shape of his head he has. It is recommended to purchase a hat that is closest in size and shape, and then order it according to individual design. For beginners, when choosing a Stetson hat, it is better to contact a specialist who can provide the service of selecting a suitable hat at the point of sale.
Quality control
Stetson hats go through many stages of testing to ensure that the finish, shape and quality are appropriate and to identify any flaws. One of the main factors determining the price of a cowboy's hat is the quality of the felt, which is determined by the type of fur and skin, the habitat of the animal whose fur is used (wild or domestic), the age of the fur and its color.
The high-quality Stetson hat is lightweight with a relatively thin, smooth, pliable felt. It is made of quality material and sewn, not glued. It is durable, holds well and can be repaired. And it always matches the shape of the head.