Looking for a cowboy hat that actually fits and doesn’t fall apart after one festival? The short answer is: measure your head circumference first, decide between felt, straw or a cheaper polyester fashion hat based on how often you’ll wear it, and expect to pay anywhere from £10 for a one-off costume piece to £150 or more for a genuine felt Stetson. Getting the sizing right matters more than the style, since an ill-fitting cowboy hat is the single biggest reason people end up disappointed with one.
This guide covers how to measure properly, what different materials mean for price and durability, where UK shoppers actually buy them, and the mistakes worth dodging.
What Is a Cowboy Hat Made From?
Cowboy hats generally fall into three materials, and which one you want depends entirely on how you plan to wear it.
Wool felt is the traditional choice for genuine western hats. It holds its shape, resists light rain, and lasts for years with proper care, which is why brands like Stetson build their reputation on it.
Straw and raffia hats are lighter and cooler, making them the better pick for summer festivals or holidays, though they’re less durable and can crush more easily in transit.
Polyester and fabric blends dominate the fashion and fancy dress end of the market. These are the cheapest cowboy hats you’ll find, designed for a costume party or a single festival weekend rather than years of wear.
How to Measure Your Head for a Cowboy Hat
Getting the size right is worth the two minutes it takes, since an oversized hat will blow off in any wind and an undersized one gives you a headache within the hour.
- Wrap a tape measure or piece of string around your head, positioning it about 1/8 inch above your ears and across the middle of your forehead, which is roughly where the hat will sit.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight. It should feel secure without leaving a mark on your skin.
- Note the measurement in inches or centimetres. If you used string, lay it flat against a ruler afterwards.
- Round up if you’re between sizes. A slightly loose hat can be adjusted with padding inside the sweatband, while a too-tight one usually can’t be fixed at home.
UK to US Hat Size Conversion
Most genuine western hat brands, including Stetson, use the US fitted sizing system rather than UK clothing sizes, which trips people up more than any other part of buying one. As a rough guide: a head circumference of around 55cm to 56cm typically corresponds to a US size 6⅞ to 7, while 58cm to 59cm usually lands around a US size 7¼ to 7⅜.
Fashion cowboy hats sold by UK retailers like boohoo and ASOS sidestep this entirely by using an adjustable drawstring inside the sweatband instead, typically covering roughly 54cm to 58cm in one size. If you’re after a genuine felt hat rather than a fashion piece, always check the brand’s own size chart before ordering, since conversions vary slightly between manufacturers.
How Much Does a Cowboy Hat Cost in the UK?
Prices split fairly cleanly by material and purpose:
- Fancy dress and festival cowboy hats (polyester, one size): roughly £8 to £20
- Straw and raffia cowboy hats from high street and online fashion retailers: around £15 to £35
- Mid-range felt fashion hats: typically £30 to £60
- Genuine branded western hats (Stetson and similar): commonly £99 to £150 for entry-level felt and straw styles, rising well past £200 for premium felt
These figures move around with seasonal stock and sales, so treat them as a guide and check the current price on the retailer’s own site before ordering, particularly around summer festival season when demand pushes prices up.
Where to Buy a Cowboy Hat in the UK
For a one-off costume or festival piece, high street fashion retailers and their websites are the easiest route: boohoo, ASOS and similar sites stock adjustable, one-size cowboy hats designed for exactly that purpose. Amazon UK and eBay UK carry a huge range at the cheaper end too, though quality varies a lot between listings, so check reviews before buying anything under £15.
For a genuine western hat built to last, specialist retailers stocking Stetson and similar brands, either direct from stetson.eu’s UK site or through hat specialists like Hatstore, are the better option. These typically cost more but come with proper sizing charts and materials that hold their shape season after season.
Cowboy Hat Styles and Brim Shapes
Cowboy hats vary more than most people expect once you look past the basic shape. The cattleman crease is the classic three-dent crown seen in most Western films, while a gambler style has a flatter, rounder crown often favoured for a smarter look. Brim width also changes the character of the hat considerably: wider brims (4 inches plus) suit sun protection and a bolder look, while narrower brims sit better for everyday, less costume-like wear.
Colour and finish matter for occasion too. Natural straw and classic black or brown felt work for most events, while brighter colours and cow print styles lean firmly towards festival and fancy dress rather than everyday wear.
How to Look After a Cowboy Hat
A few habits make a real difference to how long a cowboy hat lasts, particularly for felt and straw versions.
Store it upside down on its crown, or on a hat stand, rather than lying flat on the brim, which flattens the shape over time. Keep felt hats away from prolonged rain where possible, and if one does get wet, let it air dry naturally rather than using direct heat. Straw hats travel best stuffed with tissue paper inside the crown to stop them crushing in transit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Cowboy Hat
Buying based on a photo alone, without checking the material listing, catches a lot of first-time buyers out. A hat that looks like sturdy felt in a product photo can turn out to be a thin polyester blend once it arrives.
Sizing mistakes are the other repeat offender. Ordering a “one size fits all” fashion hat without checking the stated circumference range can leave you with something that either perches awkwardly or slides down over your eyes.
A few more worth flagging:
- Don’t assume a cheap felt-look hat will hold its shape in rain. Only genuine wool felt is properly weather-resistant; polyester blends soften and lose shape when damp.
- Don’t buy a narrow-brim hat expecting sun protection. If shade is the goal, look specifically for a 4-inch-plus brim.
- Don’t skip reviews on marketplace listings under £15. Quality varies enormously at that price point, and reviews are the quickest way to spot a poor batch.
FAQS
How do I know my cowboy hat size?
Measure around your head with a tape measure, about 1/8 inch above your ears and across your forehead, then check that measurement against the brand’s own size chart, since genuine western hats use US fitted sizing rather than UK clothing sizes.
How much should I pay for a cowboy hat?
It depends on purpose: expect £8 to £20 for a one-off fancy dress or festival hat, £15 to £35 for a decent straw or fashion piece, and £99 or more for a genuine felt western hat from a brand like Stetson.
What’s the difference between a felt and straw cowboy hat?
Felt hats are warmer, more durable and hold their shape better, making them suited to autumn and winter wear or long-term use, while straw hats are lighter and cooler, better suited to summer and one-off outdoor events.
Are cowboy hats one size fits all?
Fashion cowboy hats often use an adjustable drawstring covering a range of roughly 54cm to 58cm, but genuine western hats are sold in fitted sizes and should be measured properly rather than assumed to fit.
Can you wear a cowboy hat in the rain?
Genuine wool felt hats offer some natural water resistance and can handle light rain, but polyester fashion hats soften and lose shape when wet, so it’s worth avoiding heavy rain in either case if you can.
What is a Stetson, and is it different from a regular cowboy hat?
Stetson is a specific American hat brand founded in 1865, known for genuine wool felt construction and traditional craftsmanship, and the name is often used generically for any quality western hat even when it’s a different brand.
How do I stop a cowboy hat blowing off?
A correctly sized hat that sits snugly without pressure marks is the main fix, though a hat cord or chin strap, sold separately by most western wear retailers, is worth adding for windy events like festivals or race days.
