14 The Costume Designer Spring 2017
THE COSTUME DEPARTMENT
HISTORY OF DRESS
Cowboy Hat
The cowboy hat is a symbol of the American West and the
adventurers that peopled it and our imaginations. It was
practical: the tall crown insulated the head from the hot
sun and the broad brim provided shade for the face. John B.
Stetson created his "Boss of the Plains" hat in 1865. It was
durable, and thus became a staple. Styles of hats were at first
regional, but soon became personal as the cowboys creased
and dented their wet felt hats. Worn not only by those who
actually worked with cows and horses on ranches or the
plains, it also became an important article of clothing for
the country singers who sang about them, and for other
western entertainers. We think of Annie Oakley's wide brim
that framed her face, Roy Rogers' and Dale Evans' curled
brims, Gene Autry's tall rounded crown front. Beloved
characters in film and television are associated with
specific hats that have given them iconic stature. JR
without his hat? Hardly. Consider the old cowboy
saying, "It's the last thing you take off and the
first thing that is noticed." Few accessories
have enjoyed such iconic stature.
Illustration by Robin Richesson
rrichesson@cdgia.com
Text by Marcy Froehlich
mfroehlich@cdgia.com