Did you recently purchase cowboy boots and are now searching for a cap to complete your Western look? If so, you’re in luck. There are many styles of hats to choose from—but how can you tell which is right for you? The professionals at Liberty Western in Lebanon, OH, want to help you put together the perfect ensemble. Below, they highlight a few of the most popular headpieces you can select from.

8 Types of Cowboy Hats You Should Know

1. Open Crown

When it comes to hats, the crown is the top part that goes over your head. The open crown cowboy has a round, tall top, instead of the divided crown seen with many of today’s cowboy headgear.

2. Pinched Front

These cowboy hats come to a unique V-shape at the front of the crown. This comes in handy when you go to take your headgear off as you walk inside or want to say hello. The pinch also cuts down on wind resistance, so the hat is less likely to blow off because the wind easily cuts across each side.

3. The Gus

You’ll find these hats at rodeos across the globe. The gus has a pinched crown with three dimples for a tighter fit with a wide brim. The front of the crown is shorter, and the back of the crown has some height, so the two meet at a steep angle to trap hot air and keep your head warm.

4. The Derby

You may have seen these statuesque tops in mobster movies and any depiction of the 1920s. Derby hats have a shorter, rounded crown and a brim that curves upward slightly on each side. When paired with cowboy boots, they create the perfect Western vibe.

5. The Amish

This flat-topped piece is worn by men of the Amish tradition. It is typically black or grey with a small hat belt around the base of the crown. Per Amish culture, the belt matches the color of the rest of the accessory, but other people may wear colorfully beaded belts or other unique accessories.

6. Tom Mix

This famous lid is also called the 10-gallon hat because the original sombrero version was tall enough to hold 10 hat bands stacked on top of one another. It’s a large accessory that can help you command the room when worn with a well-loved pair of cowboy boots. 

7. The Cattleman

Ranch hands don cattleman hats to keep the sun off their faces. With three dimples and a tall crown, these pieces of headgear can be spotted all over the West protecting farm and ranch workers from bad weather.

8. The Brick

This accessory is an individual. While it resembles the cattleman, it features a rectangular dimple in the crown for a very special style that’s noticeable from across the rodeo ring. 

These eight styles are just a small sample of the many types available today. Find the perfect pair of cowboy boots to wear with your headpiece, and you’ll fit in just about anywhere in the West. To get outfitted by the best, visit Liberty Western for leather boots, vests, belt buckles, and other traditional cowboy apparel. Call (513) 933-0900 to speak with a member of their team, and visit their website for more information on their inventory today.