Best in the West: Top Western Hat Brands for Men and Women
There is no single item more iconic in American fashion than the cowboy hat. Here in Texas, a good hat is practically essential, shielding you from the summer sun while defining your entire look. That's why we've created the definitive guide to the best cowboy hats for men and women in 2025.
Whether you're looking to invest in a custom, heirloom-quality piece from a legendary maker like Stetson or Montana Territory Hat Company, seeking the celebrity-approved glamour of Gladys Tamez and Kemo Sabe, or embracing the modern Western flair of Charlie 1 Horse and Tecovas, this list has you covered. We'll journey from the Rocky Mountains with Crossbow Telluride to the Venice Beach cool of Nick Fouquet's collaboration with Lucchese.
**The old-school rule of thumb for wearing felts and straws: Felt Hat Season is from Labor Day to Easter. Straw Hat Season is from Easter to Labor Day. Think of it like the "no white after Labor Day" rule.
Gladys Tamez Millinery
When you think of the best cowboy hats for men and women, one name stands at the forefront of modern western fashion: Gladys Tamez. This Texas native has taken the world by storm with her eponymous brand, Gladys Tamez Millinery. It's no surprise that when Beyoncé needed the perfect western hat for her groundbreaking Cowboy Carter album cover, she turned to Tamez. These are the celebrity-loved cowboy hats you need to know.
In the market for a personalized cowboy hat? Meet the Alphabet Cowboy. This stylish cowboy hat is expertly customized with your initial. Shown above in Loden $575.
For those who dare to be bold, Gladys Tamez introduces the Faux Fur Cowboy. This sensational piece is a direct recreation of Pamela Anderson's iconic pink feathered hat from the 1999 MTV VMAs. Shown above in Burgundy $620.
The most popular choice, The Kenny, is the quintessential straw cowboy hat for effortless style. A Kendall Jenner-approved cowboy hat, the Kenny is our go-to summer hat at Cowgirls & Indians summer after summer. Shown in Natural $255.
There are a million reasons to fall in love with a Gladys Tamez hat, and one of them is named Joanne. This is the iconic hat featured on Lady Gaga's Joanne album cover. Shown above in Pink $680.
Crossbow Telluride
Born in a workshop in Telluride, Colorado, every piece from Crossbow Telluride is handmade, starting with premium-grade, carefully selected materials. Their skilled craftswomen cut, stitch, and finish every product to ensure each Cowboy Hat is built to last. You can shop Crossbow in-person at their two locations in Telluride, CO, or at their newest store in Bozeman, MT.
Crossbow's take on a western icon, The Idarado Hat, reimagines the old classic cattleman crease and flipped-brim cowboy hat. Made in the USA from 100% sustainable sheep wool. Shown above in Silver Sand, Beaver, Black, Buckskin, and Port $245.
Montana Territory Hat Company
When the goal is to own a truly one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality piece, the best cowboy hats for men and women are found at the Montana Territory Hat Company. This is not just a hat shop; it's a custom cowboy hat and legacy western goods company where every single hat is custom-designed and made by hand from start to finish in their Bozeman, Montana workshop.
Montana Territory Virginia City Cowboy hat shown above with Nizhóní Hat Band, Rough Rider Hat Band, Texas Flood Hat Band, and 4 Corners Scarf Slide.
You can choose from an assortment of cowboy hats, including the Granite Peak, the Miles City, the Big Sky, and the Yellowstone. Available in two felt qualities: 50X or the ultimate 100X beaver felt $900+.
Tecovas
Tecovas has quickly become a household name for high-quality boots, and their expansion into apparel brings that same commitment to their collection of the best cowboy hats for men and women.
Charlie 1 Horse Hat Company
Charlie 1 Horse carries a powerful legacy as a sister brand to Western icons like Resistol, Stetson, and Dobbs. C1H offers an incredible range of cowgirl hats, straw hats, and felt hats. They've even captured the heart of country music with the wildly popular C1H x Lainey Wilson collection.
C1H's most popular hat is The Cowgirl Hat. This wool hat features a classic cattleman crown. The best part? It comes in an array of stunning colors to match any western outfit, including Cranberry, Ranch Tan, Turquoise, Cordova, White, and Light Pink $150.
For a classic straw hat that's built to last, the 10X Cool Hand Western Hat is a top contender. Cattleman's crown, classic Charlie 1 Horse horseshoe pin, and all-around venting for breathability. At $160, it’s the perfect, reliable straw hat for sun-drenched days.
Nick Fouquet
Nick Fouquet, the luxury hatmaker located in Venice, California. His creations are instantly recognizable with his signature NF match detail and gold-plated NF toothpick. Fouquet has an ongoing partnership with the legendary bootmaker Lucchese, creating the coveted Lucchese x Nick Fouquet collection.
Fouquet's vision results in some of the most sought-after designer cowboy hats on the market. Some of the standout pieces include: Palamino Holy Paw $1,775, Stephenville Special $785, Antilles $1,775, West End $1,725, and Outer Range $1,775.
Kemo Sabe
When it comes to the best cowboy hats for men and women, Kemo Sabe makes The Celebrity-Loved Cowboy Hats You Need to Know. Proudly made by hand in the USA at their hat ranch in Gainesville, Texas. Originally from Aspen, CO, this brand has expanded to several locations across the West, including Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and right here in Round Top, Texas.
The Kemo Sabe Grit Beaver Hat is engineered from premium Rabbit or Beaver felt. These hats are designed to be durable in all weather conditions—braving rain and snow without warping.
The customization options are nearly endless. You can choose between a Gus or Cavalry crown and a Flat or Cowboy Curled brim. Available in Dark Brown, Wine, Navy, Moss, Military, Charcoal, Bone, Black, and Silverbelly $895. For that final touch of personalization, you can complete your look by exploring Cowgirls & Indians Hat Bands.
Stetson: The Original Texas-Made Cowboy Hat
No list of the best cowboy hats for men and women would be complete without the brand that started it all: Stetson. As the creator of arguably the most famous cowboy hat in the world. Today, that legacy is proudly continued right here in Texas, where Stetson hats are meticulously crafted in Garland, a part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
For those seeking the ultimate expression of Western craftsmanship, Stetson's premium collection offers heirloom-quality hats that are truly in a class of their own.
Diamante 1000X Premier Cowboy Hat: The height of luxury. The Diamante is crafted from an exquisite 1000X fur felt. Its defining feature is a stunning three-piece 14K gold buckle set with 26 genuine diamonds. Made completely by hand, this hat is for the discerning collector and comes with a lockable, tooled leather Stetson hat case. Available in Silverbelly or Black for $5,600.
El Presidente 100X Premier Cowboy Hat: A hat worthy of its name. The El Presidente is crafted from a proprietary 100X fur felt. Cattleman crown finished with a three-piece, genuine 10K gold buckle. Each one is touched by over 100 pairs of hands at the Texas factory. Available in Silverbelly or Black for $1,300.
El Patron 48 Premier 30X Cowboy Hat: A true Stetson icon. Stands out with a beautiful three-piece buckle set, featuring ruby-tone inset stones and a gold overlay with the initials of founder John B. Stetson. Available in Mocha, Silverbelly, or Black $700.\
Shasta 10X Premier Cowboy Hat: As rugged as its namesake mountain. The Shasta is constructed of 10X beaver fur felt featuring a classic cattleman crown and a 3-piece sterling silver buckle. Available in Black, Butterscotch, Mist Grey, Silverbelly, White $550.
Skyline 6X Cowboy Hat: A true Stetson bestseller, the Skyline is the quintessential cowboy hat. Constructed of 10X beaver fur felt for unbeatable softness and resilience. Available in a wide range of colors: Black, Chocolate, Granite, Sahara, Silver Grey, and Silverbelly $350.
Boss of the Plains 6X Cowboy Hat: This is the hat that started it all. Created by John B. Stetson in the 1860s, each Boss of the Plains is made the old-fashioned way—hand-dyed and hand-distressed, making every single hat truly one-of-a-kind. Available in Assorted Brown $200.
Perfect for beating the Texas heat, Stetson's straw hats offer legendary quality and style with superior breathability.
A premium straw offering is the El Noble 500X Straw Cowboy Hat. Constructed of 500X quality straw and features a genuine ostrich hat band accented with a 3-piece buckle $300.
The Baker 20X Straw Cowboy Hat features a DRI-LEX® absorbent sweatband and diamond venting for superior airflow, making it a perfect companion for the hottest days $200.
From the historic, Texas-made legacy of Stetson to the bespoke artistry of Montana Territory Hat Company; from the celebrity glamour of Gladys Tamez to the bold, fashion-forward designs of Charlie 1 Horse, it’s clear that the world of Western hats is as diverse as the people who wear them. We hope this guide has helped you navigate the incredible landscape of Western hatmakers and brought you one step closer to finding the one that speaks to you.
