Cheap Cowboy Hat

kflach · August 17, 2009, 04:15:54 PM

I'm going to visit my first NCOWS match this weekend. Sad to say, I don't own a single cowboy hat. I know better than to buy something expensive - that needs to wait till I have some sense of what kind of persona I'd be. However, I'm 100% planning on visiting a number of matches (both NCOWS and SASS) over time so it seems reasonable to get at least something that kinda works within the genre.

Can anyone recommend somewhere I can get something inexpensive, just to kinda "fit in" on a temporary basis?

I'm live smack dab in the middle of Dallas/Ft. Worth so I have access to a number of major western stores - I just don't know which one to even begin looking at for something that's on the inexpensive side.

Shotgun Franklin · August 17, 2009, 04:47:47 PM

If you're looking for a felt hat just buy any cheap hat that fits. Wear it in the shower about 4 days running. push out the crown when it's good and wet. When it kinda starts getting dry jam it on your hat. By the 4th time it outta start looking like a real worked in hat. Might not hurt to kick it around the backyard a while too. It's easier starting out to look trail worn.
For a straw starter hat buy a palm hat, wet it and kinda shape it like you want it to look.

This Fall go to downtown Ft Worth to an older hat shop. Tell'm you're looking for a late 800s type hat. They ought to know.
I can't imagine not wearing a hat. It almost takes my breath away.

Delmonico · August 17, 2009, 05:02:23 PM

If you wear it in the shower make sure it ain't a wool felt, most of them will not hold their shape when wet.

If you can find someone that stocks the 4X Rodeo Kings, in open flats look toward one of them, not cheap, but not expensive either, should run a little over a $100 with tax. Wear it as is and let it take on it's own shape or if you decide on a shape hollor and I'll give you some advice on shaping it. Or run it up here and I'll be glad to do it for you.

Added:

Look this thread over in case you end up in a store that don't have a good hat fitter. Best to get the right size and have them or someone elongate it to fit your head, that way they stay one you head when the wind blows.

In a Sunbody palm leaf, yook at the one they call a Sam Houston, Dr. Bob has one in his avatar, got that Tejas look to it and gives good shade in the sun.

River City John · August 17, 2009, 06:12:51 PM

www.riverjunction.com/catalog/hats/hats.html

Also look here at offerings by River Junction Trade. Good site to see lots of different shapes.

The important concept, - any hat that is appropriate for NCOWS will automatically be good for SASS. Not necessarily the other way around. Buy cheap for NCOWS appropriate and you're good to go for any other CAS organization.
Frumpy and trail worn does not automatically make for a period correct hat.

RCJ

Major 2 · August 17, 2009, 06:28:58 PM

Goodwill & Thrift Stores heck, in Tejas I'll bet they have good XXX Fir hats for cheap ...Use steam from a tea kettle to soften and reshape
Del is the man, to coach you there.

But stay away from Shady Brady ( style Richard Petty wears ) and the Straw Stetson & Restol hats ... They won't even pass SASS muster.

Sunbody Hats (palm hat) like the one Doc has
http://www.sunbody.com/category.cfm?Category=3&CFID=5835783&CFTOKEN=16851758

SunBody Hats
The Leader in Palm-Leaf Hats
3580 E. TC Jester Blvd
Houston, TX 77018
Toll Free: 1-800-310-7093 Phone:713.861.5133 Fax:713.861.0619
Check out the ON SALE link

BTW there are about 10 dealers in D/FW

http://www.sunbody.com/dealerlist.cfm?startrow=76&state=TX

Montana Slim · August 17, 2009, 07:03:53 PM

I'm sure you've figured out that "cheap" is a relative term.....a good buy on an authentic style hat need not set you waay back.

I bought a nice lightweight fur-felt hat at a Stetson "outlet" store for under $75, including tax. This was an unshaped style, very authentic. It can be hand shaped using a steam kettle to warm or just wear it an let it develop character.

I've stopped at a number of the stores in DFW area......I'm sure you'll find something.

The hat is a real necessity when you shoot an 1866, 1873 or other top-ejecting rifle.

Regards,
Slim

kflach · August 17, 2009, 07:42:09 PM

I'm grateful for the links that have been posted. Funny thing is I stopped at Cavender's on the way home just to check things out and found a couple of those Gus style palm leaf hats that I liked and could afford. I like that Sam Houston model as well but I didn't notice any of those. I'll keep my eyes open for 'em.

@RCJ,
"The important concept..." that's exactly why I posted this question in this forum. I wanna make sure I hold up under the stricter standards. Thanks for confirming that!

Pancho Peacemaker · August 17, 2009, 09:24:44 PM

Have no fear, your answer is here:

Stetson/Resistol Hats Outlet Store
721 Marion Dr
Garland, TX 75042
972.494.0337

That place is a treasure trove of hat bargains. They often have a plethora of great hats REAL cheap. I've walked out of there with 4 felt hats under $100 total. Some days they'll have a buy one, get one 1/2 price style of sale.

Plan on spending at least 2 hours there. The hats are roughly sorted by size, so you have to do lots of searching and trying. They have an in house hat shaper that will give you a custom crease if you like. They usually have alot of 'old west' styles as these don't seem to sell well to the rodeo / urban cowboy crowd.

Regarding the "Gus" hat and "Gus" crease: if you get into the particulars of hat history, you'll find this style of hat is a rather modern design. It will not get you thrown out of a SASS or NCOWS shoot, but Ottawa Creek Bill may pull you aside for a good talkin-to.

Just a warning . . . I hauled my pard Mansfield Slim in there back about a year ago. I don't believe he owned a cowboy hat prior. Now he holds the #3 rank for the Smokeless Shootist category at the NCOWS Nationals. Like a wise fella once said: A real good cowboy hat can get you in some real good trouble.

Pancho

kflach · August 17, 2009, 10:25:44 PM

Thanks for the info Pancho. I'll check 'em out.

I take it I can ask for "old west" styles and be fairly safe? My preliminary research suggests the "Boss of the Plains" hat would be a real good choice, but the one's I've seen so far are out of my price range right now. Maybe the outlet will have something close to that...

Delmonico · August 17, 2009, 10:31:51 PM

Panco, if you guys keep calling it a "Gus" I'll agree, but there are examples of several types of "pinch slope" hats in the period. Next thing ya know yer gonna be callin' them things around yer neck a "wild rag" and not the proper 19th Century term.

A name on a hat is just a name and 99% of so called Gus hats look nothing like the one Gus wore.

Of course I always figured this guy from the 1880's out in Custer County is waitin' to buy tickets to a Brooks and Dunn concert.

In an era that folks shaped their hats the way the wanted instead of following a movie or CMT anything can pop out of the woodwork.

Delmonico · August 17, 2009, 11:13:18 PM

Quote from: kflach on August 17, 2009, 10:25:44 PM
Thanks for the info Pancho. I'll check 'em out.

I take it I can ask for "old west" styles and be fairly safe? My preliminary research suggests the "Boss of the Plains" hat would be a real good choice, but the one's I've seen so far are out of my price range right now. Maybe the outlet will have something close to that...

Don't ask for a Boss of the Plains at the Steson outlet, the current Stetson "Boss of the Plains" looks like something you'd wear to a modern rodeo. (As a Fan of course, a lot of the cowboys are more creative than that, I know, I work on hats for a lot of them that don't want to look like the fans.)

Presenting, the modern Stetson "Boss of the Plains.:

http://www.stetsonhat.com/search.php

They call their recreation of the original "Boss of the Plains" and Austral.

http://www.stetsonhat.com/collections.php?prod_id=87

BTW these fairly new bison hair hats are good stuff, well worth the money, I've got a "Big 4" the original factory shaped "Montana Peak" and it is a danged good hat for the $99.98 (less my employee's discount) it cost, don't seen to be on their site any more though.

kflach · August 17, 2009, 11:31:10 PM

Aha! That confirms it - I was at the Stetson web site a little while ago and thought the BOP looked all wrong. I liked that Austral but the name made it sound Australian. I really like that Bat Masterson derby - and I've seen a number of pictures that suggest it's appropriate. It's more in line with what I'd see myself wearing long-term.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and we'll see what's actually available at the Outlet when I get there.

Thanks for that info. This is actually quite interesting, even though my head's spinning a bit. <grin>

Delmonico · August 18, 2009, 03:59:22 AM

That derby is very appropriate as a dress hat, I'd own one, if I didn't look so scary in them. Just get a fur felt that fits and we can shape it how you want via PM or right here in public.

Major 2 · August 18, 2009, 06:40:35 AM

Quote from: kflach on August 17, 2009, 11:31:10 PM
Aha! That confirms it - I was at the Stetson web site a little while ago and thought the BOP looked all wrong. I liked that Austral but the name made it sound Australian. I really like that Bat Masterson derby - and I've seen a number of pictures that suggest it's appropriate. It's more in line with what I'd see myself wearing long-term.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and we'll see what's actually available at the Outlet when I get there.

Thanks for that info. This is actually quite interesting, even though my head's spinning a bit. <grin>

If it's Derby or Bowler style ...we found nice one at a Costume shop $20 NIB ( lined rabbit fur mix )
I help my pard MT Chambers , outfit himself on a budget
That Bowler, and a trip to Goodwill eariler in the day netted ...a pair of dark brown Corduroy trousers $4 ( 30 min to remove the belt loops and sew on suspender buttons.
We even bought a pullover 3 button Muslin shirt that must have been donated by a CW Reenactor..it was a C&D Jarnigan shirt
$3

Then off to that costume shop for the Bowler & a pair of red fancy sleeve garders @ $5

$32 bucks spent and MT Chambers... highwayman & nar do well is fleshed out
Added a pair of well worn boots ( Roper's) he had, with tassel thingy removed, a Remington C&B and a slimjim & belt ,I made him & his SXS
He cuts quite the wag !
http://www.buycostumes.com/Derby-Hat/5810/ProductDetail.aspx?REF=SCE-froogle

with some imagination at Thrift shop can be a gold mine

Texas Lawdog · August 18, 2009, 07:13:51 AM

Texas Jack's in Fredricksburg, Texas has a hat called "Trail Boss" that looks like the BOP. It only comes in a tan color and sells for $78. I ordered one, but I have not received it yet. It should pass muster for NCOWS.

J.D. Yellowhammer · August 18, 2009, 07:39:16 AM

I don't mean to hijack this thread--lots of good information here. But it's raised a question I often wonder about: the authenticity of straw hats. I've studied lots of period photos and all the westerners wear felt. The only old photos I've found of straw hats are civil war era, plantation hats. They're pretty beat up, the kind the slaves would wear, or Huckleberry Finn. Not suiting to my degree of vanity.

Living in Tenn., a straw hat is a must. I've worn felt in the summer and it was like putting a small, humid oven on my head. I'd like to find a straw hat that would lower the temp but still pass muster as an authentic style. Any suggestions? Del, you still here?

WaddWatsonEllis · August 18, 2009, 09:24:10 AM

About once a day, go on Craigslist and click on the 'For Sale' heading. Once inside for sale, there will be a 'search engine'. I put cowboy in there, and then anything with 'cowboy' in the ad will come up.

I have bought three pairs of near new cowboy boots for under $45 each, and have bought Stetsons out of estate sales for $25 to $35 ..... even got spurs from there .....

Delmonico · August 18, 2009, 09:32:24 AM

JD, the two styles of palm leaf/straw that I see as common in photos are like these from Sunbody, the second one is listed as a womens hat, but was common on men. Others I am not sure either way.

kflach · August 18, 2009, 09:40:01 AM

I'm planning on hitting some Goodwill stores like you mentioned. I'm trying to take it a bit slow though, because there's still so much to get. I figure the most obvious first thing is the hat. If I get that I should still be able to wear my jeans, a long sleeve shirt and my (not cowboy) boots this weekend. I'll look like exactly what I am - a first-time visitor - but I'll at least have the basics roughly covered. Over the next few weeks I can do more shopping.

It's all part of my Evil Master Plan: shop smart and keep the expenses 'low profile' so that I can afford to buy more guns (without causing my wife to leave a mess in her britches). Then buy the fancy clothing. Then buy more guns. Muhahahahaha!

And most importantly, have fun!

-----
Regarding palm leaf vs. Felt, it seems that here in Texas the palm would be better because of the heat. However, the felt would be a bit more customizable as far as the look (can you reshape palm?) and would last longer.

kflach · August 18, 2009, 09:53:34 AM

Just in case we have any lurkers following this thread, I've found this link to an illustrated article on authentic hats ("In Search Of The Real Cowboy Hat" http://www.curtrich.com/hats.html).

I found the link while visiting Captain Baylor's Ranger Camp (http://www.curtrich.com/captbaylorsrangercamp.html) which appears to have a number of well done, illustrated articles on CAS.