There’s more than one way to rock a cowboy hat and it’s not just at a country music concert or the summer fair.
Originally beginning with John Batterson Stetson, who created the American cowboy hat, the hats were often worn by Western farmers or ranchers who spent most of their time outside.
Now, thanks to the 21st century and creative designers and fashionistas, there are different types of cowboy hats and people are using these as another way to express their personal style.
You don’t need a certain face shape or hair texture to rock them, which makes them the ultimate style accessory.
What you do need is a plan for your hair. A cowboy hat presses the top flat, the sweatband leaves a line at the hairline, and the brim decides how much of your hair still shows.
So each hat type below comes with the cuts that suit it and a quick way to wear your hair under it. The tips work for men and women alike.
Types of Cowboy Hats
We are presenting you with different cowboy hat types. You can’t go wrong with any of these 13 cowboy hat styles; try one on the next time you head out!
1. Cattleman Hat
Whenever you feel the urge to be rugged and tough, a cattleman cowboy hat is the answer. It looks best on men who are older with some scruff or a full beard. Try wearing it with a neckerchief and a dark denim jacket.
Best haircuts for this hat: Short and medium cuts with a tidy top. Crew cuts, a side part, and brushed-back medium hair all sit well under the tall creased crown.
How to wear your hair with it: Keep the top flat and let the sides and the neckline do the work. Longer hair goes behind the ears or into a low tail at the nape so nothing bunches under the band.
Hat-hair tip: Let pomade or gel dry before the hat goes on. Wet product rubs off on the sweatband and leaves the hairline looking greasy when the hat comes off.
2. Pinched Front Hat
So named for its pinched appearance at the top, the pinch front cowboy hat comes in a variety of colors. With a light-colored tank top, wear the one pictured above, or for dark-colored clothes wear a dark one!
Best haircuts for this hat: Short textured crops, fades with some length on top, and chin-length layers.
How to wear your hair with it: The pinch narrows the front of the crown, so push the front of your hair to one side before the hat goes on. If your hair is curly, let the curls show at the sides and the nape.
Hat-hair tip: When the hat comes off, rake your fingers from the nape toward the forehead and then flip the hair back. That lifts the flattened top in seconds.
3. Brick Hat
Usually seen on the “hot cowboys” from movies or country singers, the brick cowboy hat is a no-brainer when it comes to looking your hottest. It flatters men of all ages but will look better on men with those chiseled jawlines.
Best haircuts for this hat: Sharp short cuts. Fades, crew cuts, and a textured top with tight sides match the square lines of the crown.
How to wear your hair with it: Keep the sides short and the top low. Medium hair combs straight back. Wear the hat level rather than tilted so the flat crown reads clean.
Hat-hair tip: The straight brim line shows your sideburns and neckline, so keep both trimmed. This hat looks best in the first week or two after a cut.
4. Puncher Hat
The crown on a puncher cowboy hat isn’t too short or too big which makes it another great choice for all face shapes. While it too comes in many colors, the white with a black brim is a classic.
Best haircuts for this hat: Almost any cut. Medium-length hair, waves, curls, and short crops all work under this middle-of-the-road crown.
How to wear your hair with it: Style your hair the way you normally do, then take the height off the top. Let the sides and back show and tie long hair in a low tail.
Hat-hair tip: White straw picks up product stains at the band. Use a light cream instead of a heavy pomade when you wear a pale hat.
5. Gus Hat
For classic cowboy vibes, go with a Gus hat. It’s versatile enough that it works with both casual and fancier outfits. The classic white color is a warm addition to any look. On those days when you don’t feel like combing your hair, top it off with the Gus!
Best haircuts for this hat: Tousled medium hair, loose waves, and short scruffy crops. It is the one hat on this list that looks better with relaxed hair.
How to wear your hair with it: Let waves or curls hang loose and tuck the front behind the ears. On long hair a loose low ponytail keeps the nape clear in the heat.
Hat-hair tip: On second-day hair, a little dry shampoo at the roots before the hat stops the hairline from looking slick when the hat comes off.
6. Open Crown Hat
A wide brim hat like this one looks best on round or oval faces as it balances the face shape out. The dark color is flattering for all skin tones. To flatter dark eyes and a medium or dark skin tone, choose a hat with a ribbon in a matching color.
Best haircuts for this hat: Long hair worn down with a center part, loose waves, braids, and side-swept short cuts.
How to wear your hair with it: The rounded crown has room inside, and the wide brim wants hair showing below it. Wear it down and parted in the middle, or try two low braids.
Hat-hair tip: An open crown can be shaped by hand. Push it a little higher if your hair is thick, so the crown does not squash it flat.
7. Tom Mix Hat
Tom Mix, the American silent movie star, was known for his 10-gallon cowboy hat. When your goal is to make a statement with your hat or be dramatic, the 10-gallon is the best choice.
Best haircuts for this hat: Short cuts, or long hair worn straight down. The tall crown brings the height, so the hair should not.
How to wear your hair with it: Keep the hair flat and low with a slicked side part or a low ponytail. Long straight hair worn down balances the height of the crown.
Hat-hair tip: Set the hat straight down onto your head instead of sliding it on from the front. Sliding drags the hairline back and leaves a bump at the crown.
8. Flat Brim Cowboy Hat
A flat brim cowboy hat is great for that hipster vibe and looks great on guys with round faces or small oval faces. Wear it with a jean or corduroy jacket or suspenders and a black and white outfit. Choosing a hat in a bright color like orange will help your whole look stand out.
Best haircuts for this hat: An undercut with a longer top, slicked-back hair, a low bun, or long straight hair worn down.
How to wear your hair with it: A wide flat brim wants sleek hair under it. Slick the top back, tie a low bun or a low ponytail, or let straight hair hang below the brim.
Hat-hair tip: The brim shades the whole face, so tuck face-framing pieces behind the ears. Loose strands across the cheeks look messy under a straight brim.
9. Gambler Hat
An oval crown and round wide brim set the gambler cowboy hat apart from all others. This style is another great choice for adding edge to your look. Its dark color and jeweled accents are all the details you could ask for. If you have dark hair and dark eyes, this hat will look super sexy on you.
Best haircuts for this hat: Medium-length hair with a side part, loose waves, and shoulder-length cuts.
How to wear your hair with it: The round brim looks best with soft movement below it. Wear waves or loose curls down, or try a low side braid that falls over one shoulder.
Hat-hair tip: The oval crown sits low on the head, so skip volume at the roots. Put the effort into the ends instead.
10. Ranch Hat
This worn-in ranch hat may be just a little too rough for anyone other than someone who works outside. However, if you’re heading to an outdoor event or the bar on the weekend, it’s a great casual look.
Best haircuts for this hat: Low-effort hair. Buzz cuts, grown-out cuts, messy medium hair, and long hair worn loose all suit a worn-in work hat.
How to wear your hair with it: The hat does the styling. Brush the hair back out of your face and tie long hair low. Gel and shine look wrong under a hat this rough.
Hat-hair tip: A sweat-soaked band leaves the hair at the hairline damp and flat. Wipe the band and let the hat dry between wears.
11. Outback Hat
The outback hat is the Australian cousin of the cowboy hat: a wide brim that often snaps up at one side, a lower crown, and oiled felt or canvas built for weather.
Best haircuts for this hat: Grown-out cuts, medium hair with a part, and long hair worn down or tied low.
How to wear your hair with it: The lower crown sits close to the head, so keep the top flat and let the hair show below the wide brim. Tie long hair at the nape.
Hat-hair tip: Oiled felt and canvas trap heat. Let the hair dry and the band air out between wears.
12. Dakota Hat
This timeless black cowboy hat is most often seen in newer cowboy movies. While the black is a typical color choice for bad boys and villains, it’s also a hot choice for fancier occasions like weddings.
Best haircuts for this hat: Polished hair. A clean side part, slicked-back hair, and a neat taper on men. A sleek low bun or straight hair worn down on women.
How to wear your hair with it: A dress hat wants groomed hair below it. Comb it back smooth, tie a low bun or low ponytail with a clean part, or wear straight hair down.
Hat-hair tip: Black felt shows powder. Keep dry shampoo light at the roots so it does not rub white onto the band.
13. Amish Cowboy Hat
The Amish cowboy hat is flatter than a traditional cowboy hat. This type of men’s straw hat looks cool. To add a bit of edge to your outfit, try an Amish cowboy hat in black… or try a white hat with a crisp white shirt.
Best haircuts for this hat: Buzz cuts, crew cuts, and short back and sides. On longer hair it suits a straight center part worn down.
How to wear your hair with it: The flat brim and low crown sit close to the head, so there is no room for height. Wear long hair straight down or in a low ponytail and keep the top smooth.
Hat-hair tip: Straw brims catch dry ends and make them look fuzzy. Smooth a little cream over the ends before you put the hat on.
Any of these cowboy hats would be a welcome addition to your daily outfit or whatever you wear on a night out. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-designed cowboy hat!
