To wear a cowboy hat the right way, put it on with the small bow inside the hat at the back and let the front of the brim sit just above your eyebrows.
The hat should feel snug, stay in place when you turn your head, and sit just above your ears without pressing on them. A small tilt is fine, but start with the hat level.
This guide shows you how to find the front of the hat, check the fit, measure your head, set the tilt, and follow basic etiquette.
How to Wear a Cowboy Hat Properly (Step-by-Step)
Follow these five simple steps to wear a cowboy hat the right way.
Step 1: Find the Front and Back
Before you put your cowboy hat on, make sure you know which side is the front. Hold the hat in your hands and look inside.
You will see a thin band of leather or fabric that runs around the inside. This is called the sweatband, and it is the part that touches your head.
Look for a small bow or ribbon on the sweatband. The bow usually marks the back of the hat, so it should sit behind your head. The side opposite the bow is the front.
If some of these hat parts are new to you, our guide to the parts of a cowboy hat explains what each part is called.
Step 2: Put the Hat on
Hold the hat with both hands and make sure the bow is at the back. Then lower the hat onto your head and let it settle until it feels even all the way around.
If you have long hair, arrange it first so it sits comfortably under the hat. This matters most with a ponytail or a braid, because they can get pinched under the hat or pull on your head.
If you have short hair, put the hat on as usual, then check that your hair isn’t bunching up where the hat touches your head.
Need more help with your hair? See our general guides to wearing a hat with long hair and wearing a hat with short hair.
Step 3: Position the Hat Above Your Eyebrows
Once the hat is on, slide it into place so the front edge of the brim sits just above your eyebrows.
Check yourself in a mirror. You should be able to see clearly, and the brim should not cover your eyes. The hat should also not be pushed far back on your head, where it can slip off easily.
If it sits too low or too high, move it a little until it feels steady.
Step 4: Check the Fit and Angle
Turn your head from side to side. The hat should stay in place and feel snug without pinching.
If the hat feels too tight or too loose, measure your head and check your size. Once the fit feels right, keep the hat level, or tilt it slightly if you like.
Which Way Does a Cowboy Hat Go?
A small ribbon bow inside the hat marks the back of a cowboy hat. The bow sits on the sweatband, the band that touches your head. When you put the hat on, the bow should be behind your head, and the side opposite the bow should face forward.
Using the Buckle as a Second Check
If your hat has a buckle on the hatband, it should be on the left side. So if the bow is at the back and the buckle is on the left, you know you’ve got the hat on the right way.
Some cowboy hats don’t have a buckle. They may have a simple cord or ribbon instead. In that case, just use the bow to tell which side goes at the back.
How Should a Cowboy Hat Fit?
Your cowboy hat should feel comfortable on your head. It should stay in place when you move around, but it shouldn’t feel tight or press against your ears.
How Tight a Cowboy Hat Should Be
Your cowboy hat should feel snug enough to stay on your head, but not so tight that it feels uncomfortable. It shouldn’t squeeze your head or press hard against your forehead or ears.
Wear it for a few minutes and see how it feels. If it starts to feel tight or leaves a noticeable mark on your forehead, you may need a bigger size.
Signs a Cowboy Hat Is Too Loose or Too Tight
Too loose: the hat moves around, twists on your head, or slips when you turn your head.
Too tight: the hat pinches, squeezes your head, or presses on your ears.
If you notice either problem, measure your head again and compare the number to the size chart from the hat’s maker. If your measurement is right but the hat still feels off, try a different size or a different hat.
How to Measure Your Head for a Cowboy Hat
To find your cowboy hat size, measure around your head where the hat will sit.
Wrap a soft measuring tape around your head, across the middle of your forehead and just above your ears. Keep the tape level all the way around your head, and don’t pull it too tight.
Note the measurement, then enter it into our Hat Size Calculator to find your hat size in US, UK, or EU sizes.
For the complete step-by-step method, see our guide on how to measure your head for a hat size.
Cowboy Hat Size Chart
Hat sizes are based on your head circumference. Find the number closest to your measurement to see your hat size. Sizes can vary a little from brand to brand, so check the maker’s size chart before you buy.
| Hat Size | Head Circumference (inches) | Head Circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ⅜ | 20 ¼ | 51 |
| 6 ½ | 20 ⅝ | 52 |
| 6 ⅝ | 21 | 53 |
| 6 ¾ | 21 ½ | 54 |
| 6 ⅞ | 21 ⅞ | 55 |
| 7 | 22 ¼ | 56 |
| 7 ⅛ | 22 ⅝ | 57 |
| 7 ¼ | 23 | 58 |
| 7 ⅜ | 23 ⅜ | 59 |
| 7 ½ | 23 ¾ | 60 |
| 7 ⅝ | 24 | 61 |
| 7 ¾ | 24 ½ | 62 |
| 7 ⅞ | 25 | 63 |
| 8 | 25 ½ | 64 |
What to Do If You Are Between Sizes
If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one. A hat that’s a little loose is easy to fix.
Put some sizing tape (a thin foam strip) inside the hat, behind the sweatband, and it can help the hat sit snug. A hat that’s too small will just feel tight and uncomfortable after a while.
Cowboy Hat Tilt and Angle
Once your hat fits right, you can change how it looks by tilting it up, down, or to one side.
Level
A level hat is the easiest place to start. Look in a mirror. The brim should sit straight across your forehead, and the front and back of the brim should look about the same height. Most people put the hat on like this first, then change it a little if they want.
Tilted Down
To tilt the hat down, push the front of the brim a little lower. This covers more of your forehead and gives your eyes more shade. It can be useful when you’re outside in the sun. Just don’t push it down so much that the brim gets in the way of your view.
Tilted Up or Back
To tilt the hat up, lift the front of the brim so more of your forehead shows. If you push it back, the hat sits further back on your head. This shows more of your face. Go slowly here. If the hat feels like it could slide off when you turn your head, you’ve pushed it too far.
Tilted to the Side
To tilt the hat to the side, lower one side of the brim so it sits lower than the other. This gives the hat a more relaxed look. It’s a small change, so make it a little at a time. Look in the mirror from the front and from each side, and stop when it looks right to you.
Cowboy Hat Etiquette Basics
Remove: Take your hat off when you sit down to eat, go into a church, or hear the national anthem. If you walk into someone’s home, take it off too.
Keep on: You can keep your hat on outside, at a rodeo, or at most casual outdoor events.
Tip: When you meet someone, you can touch or tip the front of your hat to show respect.
Set down: When you take your hat off, put it on the crown, not the brim. If you place it on a table, turn it upside down so the inside faces up. This helps keep the brim from getting bent.
For more on what to do at restaurants, weddings, church, funerals, bars, and the National Anthem, see our Cowboy Hat Etiquette guide.
What to Wear With a Black Cowboy Hat
Wear a black cowboy hat with jeans, a plain shirt, and cowboy boots for a simple outfit.
For a casual outfit, wear blue jeans with a T-shirt or denim shirt. You can throw on a denim jacket too.
If you’re going somewhere a little nicer, wear dark jeans or black pants with a button-down shirt and boots.
You don’t need to wear black from head to toe. Blue, white, gray, and denim all go well with a black cowboy hat.
