If your hat hits the ground, your head better be in it.
An adage not uncommon around the rodeo arena, but rooted in a deep respect and historical significance of one of the western lifestyle's most recognizable emblems: cowboy hats.
Cowboy hats are a staple the western lifestyle and more specifically, rodeo.
Ranchers of past and present spend days in the hot sun, pouring rain, and heavy snowfall making the functionality of the cowboy hat a perfect fit for the lifestyle.
Beyond their functionality, cowboy hats are now being worn as a form of personality.
See a Resistal with a wide flat brim? Bronc Rider.
A deep crown pushed down almost to the owners eyes? Bull rider.
The shape, brand, style, color, and even how you wear your cowboy hat says a lot about you and people associated with the western world might make some snap judgments about you.
This is a truth for rodeo queens.
A rodeo queen's hat is an essential part of every outfit. Not only does it house her crown keenly atop her head, but it distinguishes her as a person of significance and style.
Trends have come and gone in the rodeo queen world as far as hat style, shape, and color and they likely will continue to do so.
That said, the importance of the cowboy hat makes it essential to ensure it is worn well and correctly.
How can this be done?
By adhering to five simple felt facts, rodeo queens can be reassured that their cowboy hat is relaying the western message they so desire.
1. Color
Miss Rodeo America 2016, Katherine Merk was noted for her constant appearance in colored cowboy hats.
The trend for rodeo queens at the time was largely white and black felts.
After her reign more and more colored hats began hitting the market for rodeo queens and enthusiasts alike, but she did not actually start this trend.
She resurrected it from mid 1900s rodeo queens who were known for their western riding suits and the rainbow of colors that they would wear on their short-brim hats.
Trends will continue to change on rodeo queen cowboy hat colors and so it is important to follow national rodeo queening platforms to remain informed.
That said, there there are a few traditions that don't seem to be going anywhere in rodeo queen hat color: Crisp white and sharp black.
These are two colors I recommend that every rodeo queen and rodeo queen hopeful have in their closet.
White hats can be a pain to keep clean, especially in a world as notoriously dirty as rodeo, but their historical significance as a rodeo queen tell-tale will forever secure them a place in competition and appearance.
Black, though not as defining of rodeo queens as white felts, is a sharp and traditional hat color for rodeo queen and cowboy a like.
2. Shape
A rodeo queen, like a bull or bronc rider, can be spotted from across the arena not by her the crown on her hat, but the shape of it.
Shape is a lot like color.The trends have changed throughout the years and it is important to keep up with what's in style by looking to national title holder.
For the entirety of my decade spent queening and still today, there are certain aspects of hat shape that are expected on a rodeo queen.
The size of the brim should be determined on an individual basis to make the hat flattering to your face, but the crease must be crisp.
Any experienced hat shaper with even slight knowledge of rodeo queen can tell you that the level of definition put on the crease is as important to the hat as the girl wearing it.
The crown should've traditional dents or pinches as those found on most cowboy hats.
There is an increasing number of brick top, deep crown, and any number of crown shapes today, but rodeo queen hats should stick to tradition.
The very best way to get a good shape to your hat is to find a professional at a local shop or tack store.
These experts should know just how to shape the brim and crisp the creases to fit you and give you the perfect hat that screams "rodeo queen."
3. Handling
Never have I ever seen a person more mad than when a hat was set down incorrectly.
A good felt hat is not cheap so naturally you would not want to harm it, but more importantly, handling a hat correctly means protecting the hats shape
Cowboy hats should be stored in the original hat box or a hat can to once again ensure that the same is not harmed.
If you ever need to set a hat down it should be placed upside down and not on the brim.
Always put a hat on and off by gripping the dents in the crown and if your hat is white, I recommend wearing surgical gloves (I'm being serious).
Have a specifically designed hat brush, one for your dark hats and one for your light hats if possible, and use hat protectant sprays and covers when necessary.
A cowboy hat is more than an investment, it is a symbol of the western lifestyle and a representation of the person wearing it. So it is important to take the best possible care of it.
4. Crown
What is a queen without her crown?
The crowns can be one of the most exciting parts of being a rodeo queen, but they can also make it difficult.
No two crowns are the same and not every crown is designed to fit every hat. This can mean off centered or wildly adventurous crown that not only don't look presentable, but can hurt your felt hat.
My first ever tiara had no back so my mother tied it to my hat with a string. My PRCA rodeo crown was a little too small for the crown and would have to be wired to my hat band before every rodeo (please only do this as a last resort).
The best advice I can give on wearing your crown on your hat is be nice to the hat.
Some crown come with pins to stick the crown to the hat, do not do this unless you plan to never compete in the hat. The pin will leave a very noticeable and tacky hole.
Get creative, but always handle your hat with care.
The crown that had to be wired on every time gave me stress as I watched the wire be weaved through the band, but to this day I am able to where the hat with confidence all because it was handled with care.
So where your crown and do what it takes, but be aware of what you are doing to your hat and if there's a better way, do it.
5. Don't Let it hit the Ground
A hat hitting the ground is an absolute no in the rodeo queen and horse world.
The hat should fit well enough that it should be easy to wear without fear of falling off.
Even still, fast moving horses and air resistance can make the most snug hat want to take a ride through the air.
One word: bobby pins.
Every rodeo queen arch nemesis, but only because they work.
Some girls are able to get away with double stick tape or turning their hat band out, but not me.
Bobby pins where in every bag, trailer, truck, and car. I would never leave home without them .
By weaving the body pins into the hat band and letting them grab your hair, your head might hurt and you might have a few welts when the day was done, but your hat will not be going anywhere.
Hats Off
The cowboy hat is a representative of tradition and lifestyle.
It is also personal and representative of every individual who dons one.
As a rodeo queen it will be vital to recognize the importance of your cowboy hat to your title and to the heritage you represent.
Taking care of and wearing the proper felt hat will make the world of difference in your appearance as a rodeo queen and so it is my hope that you will take the very best care of and find the very best hat for you.
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