THE PROCESS
Every hat, made by hand, one step at a time
The day you buy a custom felt cowboy hat is the least cool it will ever be. The moment it becomes yours it begins to take on your story. It weathers as we do with age and experience, acquiring the kind of character that begs a narrative by a crackling fire. It becomes something more than itself. Your hat will tell your story. the felt, the crease, the brim, and the band are the beginning. Every mark and mar thereafter is an integral piece of an heirloom to be passed and a story to be told, for decades to come. Let's begin.
STEP ONE: CHOOSE YOUR FELT QUALITY
100X Beaver Western Weight Felt (from $1100)
100X Beaver western weight felt is the highest quality felt you can purchase. This hat will never let you down. A pure beaver felt cowboy hat is designed to withstand the elements and work as hard as you do. The beaver is naturally water resistant, easily cleaned, will hold its shape in any weather. A pure beaver felt cowboy hat can be easily re-blocked should any adjustments become necessary. This hat is designed to last several lifetimes and accumulate the stories to show for it along the way. A true future vintage heirloom to be passed down.
50x Beaver / Rabbit blend Western Weight Felt (from $900)
The 50X Beaver western weight felt is equal parts beaver and rabbit fur, resulting in a very similar durability and longevity as the 100X Beaver felt. This felt also is water resistant, easily cleaned, and can be re-shaped should necessity or preference dictate. Similar to the 100X, this felt hat is heirloom quality and will last for many generations to come.
100X Rabbit Western Weight Felt (from $700)
The 100X Rabbit western weight felt is a slightly more affordable option and an extraordinarily high quality hat. While this felt can be used for felt cowboy hats, it is perfect for flat brims and shorter brim classic fedora styles. This felt will hold its shape nicely, is easily cleaned, re-blocked, and has a beautiful soft hand feel.
STEP TWO: CHOOSE YOUR COLOR
Each felt quality is available in a variety of beautiful earth tones. Every product we design is rooted in the simplicity of beautiful design, timeless style, and quality construction. Our color palette will always be classic, timeless, and inspired by the wild rugged beauty of Montana’s landscape.
STEP THREE: MEASURE YOUR HEAD
To determine your head measurement, you will take a soft measuring tape around the point at which you would like your hat to comfortably sit. This is generally one half inch above your ears and eyebrows. Measure twice just to be sure. If you do not have a soft measuring tape, you can use a string in the same manner and measure the flat length of the string.
Should you find yourself in Bozeman, Montana, and desire an in person consultation, in studio appointments can be made HERE.
STEP FOUR: CHOOSE YOUR SHAPE & STYLE
The felt cowboy hat has evolved throughout history and taken many shapes. The options are endless and I am happy to help. You can find inspiration in movies, magazines, instagram, and in our design gallery. Feel free to send me as many inspiration images as you like. Classic western hat and cowboy hat shapes include:
- The Cattleman
- The Gus
- The Open Crown
- The Telescope
- The Teardrop
- The Diamond
STEP FIVE: CHOOSE YOUR HAT BAND
One of the final steps in creating your custom felt cowboy hat is to choose your hat band. Please see our gallery of options for inspiration. Classic suede, leather, ribbons, horse hair, feathers, and silver conchos can begin to make your hat truly one of a kind.
STEP SIX: MAKE IT YOURS
There is a common phrase in the West. “Trust your neighbor, but brand your cattle”. Ranch brands have been used to signify ownership, meaning, loyalty, tradition, heritage, and reverence for a place. And they look great on a hat as well. Branding irons can be used to add your initials or special phrases or art to your hat should you choose to do so.