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Can Anyone Wear Cowboy Hats?

Posted on: August 3, 2010

Does Anyone Wear a Cowboy Hat that is not a Cowboy?

Of course, the answer to this question is a resounding yes. Cowboy hats can be seen in every American city, atop the head of a wide range of peoples. In addition, the cowboy hat phenomenon has gone global, with residents of many countries sporting traditional or modern versions of the stylish hat.

Although the profession of cowboy may have went the way of the dodo, cowboy hats are more popular than ever, with people from all walks of life enjoying the style and function of this attractive headgear. Typically describes as a range of models that usually feature high crowns and wide brims and made of either straw or felt, cowboy hats have undergone a major evolution since their popularity with cowboys over one hundred years ago. In today's society, the cowboy hat no longer represents the profession of cowboy, but rather the idea and attitude of cowboys. While they can be found in every corner of the world, they always conjure up the authority and freedom of the American cowboy.

One group of people that have readily embraced the cowboy hats are country musicians and their many fans. With music that originated with life on the plains, these musicians are attempting to portray the same qualities that have made the American cowboy popular. In addition to those interested in contemporary country music, another group of people that enjoy cowboy hats are politicians. The combination of politicians and cowboy hats might sound strange because of the cowboy's reputation of being an outlaw, but the adoption of the cowboy hat by western politicians actually makes perfect sense. The hat itself helps to convey an idea of authority and a level of trust, thus a politician that wears a cowboy hat implies an inherent quality of trust and position of authority. Perhaps the most famous politician to wear a cowboy hat is the former president, George W. Bush. Often photographed in cowboy hats and other western gear, Bush embodies the spirit of the west and wears the hat as a symbol of his native state, Texas. Yet another group of people that have began wearing cowboy hats are farmers. The function of a straw cowboy hat is perfect for typical farm work. The excellent ventilation and protection from the sun are qualities desired by anyone that works in the outdoors for extended periods of time. Musicians, politicians, and farmers are only a few of the many new groups of people that are bringing the faded story of cowboy hats back into focus.

From lawyers to longshoreman, cowboy hats have never seen the immense popularity that they garner in today's times. The hat has come to mean something greater than the dying profession of cowboys, but rather the underlying attitude that speaks of trust, brotherhood, and authority. In that sense, the answer is no. Everyone who wears a cowboy hat should be a true cowboy by celebrating the ideals of the American cowboy, but that doesn't mean they necessarily have to drive cattle from Texas to Montana.

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