Sunday, December 28, 2008

Great Looking Straw Cowboy Hats At A Bargain

By Ned Dagostino

Strange are the ways of fashion! The protective headgear of the ranch-hand and ranch owner alike more than two centuries ago is still in vogue! Back then its purpose was entirely utilitarian. Today, it's a style and fashion statement! This is the case of the straw cowboy hat.

Cowboy hats of all pedigree are walking the ramp nowadays. Leather hats, felt hats, ten gallon hats, slouch hats, you name it, they're all seen on the heads of supermodels, superstars and the super-rich! Cowboy hats exude a nostalgic charm which cannot be denied. They're different, though, from their ancestors. Today's cowboy hats come in all colors, and are patterned and decorated as well. You might even get them in pink especially for the ladies!

Straw cowboy hats are more popular than any other variety of cowboy hat. They're worn by people on the beach. They're worn by summer tourists. They're worn by weekend gardeners. Everybody's wearing a straw cowboy hat!

Do you know why straw is used in cowboy hats? It keeps the weight down. Wearing straw cowboy hats for a long time is not fatiguing at all. Then the woven design helps air to circulate inside the hat, thus keeping the head cool. The wide brim helps to keep the sun's glare from your eyes. Your head is protected from the sun's heat. The only drawback is that it doesn't keep the rain from your head.

The straw cowboy hat can be made from many types of straw. The straw used for making the cowboy hat is not very expensive. Toquilla is a popular variety of straw used in the making of cowboy hats.

Actually toquilla straw is made from the bark of a palm tree that is found in Ecuador. Ecuador and Panama are neighbors. So, most people call the toquilla straw cowboy hat a panama hat. Panama hats are so popular with gardeners that you can pick one up in the gardening section of any large store. Their popularity is often attributed to their price, which is very, very low.

Straw cowboy hats are favored over felt or leather cowboy hats for many reasons. The straw cowboy hats are cooler to wear in the blazing summer heat. The straw cowboy hats are much cheaper than the other two. And they do a good job of protecting your head and eyes from the sun. - 15343

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