The Season is a Changing: From Straw to Felt. When Should you Switch?
The Great Switch: From Straw to Felt
Every cowboy knows the feeling. One day you’re brushing the dust off a straw hat that’s seen every jackpot, trail ride, and late-summer event. The next, that first cool breeze rolls in, and suddenly the straw just doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s when it happens. The switch to felt.
Some folks swear by the rule of thumb: straw from Memorial Day to Labor Day, felt from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Others will tell you they don’t follow rules at all, they wear felt year-round and dare the Texas sun to prove them wrong. And then there are those who trade hats faster than a rodeo clown dodges a bull. (No shame.)
Tradition, With a Purpose
Sure, the change has tradition behind it, but it’s also about practicality. Straw is made to breathe when the heat is relentless. Felt is built to block the chill and carry you through long fall evenings, frosty mornings, and winter workdays that don’t stop just because the weather turns.
Breaking the Rules
Like any good cowboy custom, there are exceptions. Big event in July? Go felt. Wedding in the middle of summer? Definitely felt. Black tie? A straw hat might get you some looks… and not the good kind. The truth is, a felt hat has a way of showing up when the moment matters most.
Why It Matters
At the end of the day, the switch from straw to felt isn’t just about weather or tradition. It’s a rite of passage every year. The same way branding calves or the first frost tells you the season has changed. At American Hat Company, we’ve been part of that rhythm since 1915. Whether it’s a straw made to beat the summer heat or a felt tough enough to take on winter, every hat is built to last and made to stand tall.
So, when you’re digging through the hat rack and asking yourself, “Is it time yet?”, the answer is simple. If you’re shivering, yes. If you’re sweating through your shirt, maybe hold off a week. Either way, when it’s time to make the switch, make it with a hat that carries your story.
Because one thing’s for certain: seasons change, but an American Hat never goes out of style.
