Cowboy Hat Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts
As you can probably tell, our new collection - Velvet Renegades - has taken us on a new rodeo in the studio.
Think cowboy etiquette sounds outdated? Think again. We have loved learning some rules of the rodeo, so we thought we’d share a few of our favourites and some of our own JCM rules.
Whether you’re heading to Nashville or Notting Hill, the rules of the West still apply. If you’re going to channel your inner Renegade, you’ll need to know the rules of the range. So, saddle up - here are the do’s and don’ts for cowboys and cowgirls.
Howdy Cowboy
There are many ways to say “g’day” or “howdy, partner”, but there are a few things to remember to avoid offence:
- A cowboy hat is understood to be very personal. They are seen as a means of self-expression and individuality, so touching, taking or trying on a fellow hat lover’s hat is generally not encouraged. As a rule of thumb, never mess with another cowboy’s hat.
- Always remove your hat indoors at a formal event to demonstrate respect and thanks - especially when the host is present.
- This one’s for our cowboys in particular - when you find yourself in the presence of a cowgirl, you must lift your hat, taking it off with your left hand as a sign of respect so that you can shake their hand with the right.
- It is often understood that tipping your hat to another man could be considered offensive, as hat tipping is reserved for a lady, and nobody wants a showdown!
Luck Is Best Kept in the Crown
Superstitious or not, there is an implicit understanding that luck lives in the crown of your cowboy hat. Therefore, to maintain that luck, you should always follow these rules:
- When you take off your hat, make sure to rest it on its crown, brim-side up. The hat's crown is considered to conceal and hold the owner’s luck, so placing the hat with the brim facing up means the luck won’t “spill out”.
- This superstition is also comparable to another prominent belief in cowboy culture - the horseshoe! Horseshoes are a talisman that ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune and protection. So, if you're unsure which way to hang your horseshoe up, remember this - good fortune is held in the trough of the “U”, so keep the ends pointing upwards to keep hold of as much luck as possible. Although controversially, others believe that hanging your horseshoes prong sides down encourages the luck to fall and be shared with those who go beneath. So, I guess this superstition is up for interpretation - maybe it’s best to have two to cover all grounds!
- Never place it on the bed. This belief seems to stem from undertakers placing a hat on a coffin and fears about the spread of head lice in the era of the Old West.
- Always hold it by the crown, never the brim. Holding your hat by the brim will also cause a wobbly brim, which isn’t too lucky in the first place.
- Finally, always keep the inside facing you - the lining is for you, not the world. In the past, cowboys and girls had personal information inscribed on the head fittings of their hats, so keeping the lining facing inwards meant that you could protect your privacy, conserving luck and making sure it doesn’t “spill out”!
No Hats on the Hoedown
Who doesn’t love a cowgirl shuffle - we definitely do! Whether you're rocking out to your favourite Country and Western singer or Line Dancing to Cotton Eye Joe, a cowboy hat always comes in clutch. However, there seems to be some sort of controversy at the Barn Dance over hats or no hats.
Traditionally, hats were acceptable and fully encouraged when busting some moves on the D-floor, until a few too many brims were bumped and brawls broke out. Dancing with your hat - especially in Texas - is therefore obsolete! Also, no one wants their cowboy hat to get in the way of a slow dance.
Velvet Over Rules
Tradition says felt for winter, straw for summer - but Velvet Renegades aren’t here to follow the rulebook. Our Lazaro is undoubtedly perfect for both seasons and transcends them. It’s the kind of piece you wear when you want to be seen, remembered and maybe even cause some mischief.
Our Velvet Renegades collection is an ode to the untamed - to the rule-breakers, the charmers, and the quiet confidence of those who know a hat is more than an accessory. So, whether you’re tipping your hat, removing it gracefully, or placing it crown-up to keep in the luck, you’re not just wearing a cowboy hat - you’re continuing a Western tradition.
These are the JCM cowgirl rules, and let’s say that they may differ a little from traditions:
- The Lazaro is best worn with style and confidence.
- There’s never an occasion that doesn’t call for a hat.
- You won’t catch us dancing without a hat, that's for sure.
- Finally, if a cowboy insists on sticking to the rule of the West, keep a wide berth! Who needs rules anyway - you're a Velvet Renegade and rules are made to be broken!
Fire Shirt: Lime Green Bow
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