The open crown Western hat?

[Yahoody]

Back in the day the typical western hat was bought open crowned and it was up to the owner to shape. Generally that was done over time with use. The open, unmolested, crown a sign of a new or special hat the owner was trying to take care of.

In the middle of the 1800s the typical man didn't have a size 7.5 or 8 hat size and a 4" crown was plenty. These days men's heads are bigger and hat crowns are as well.

Helps to have a big enough crown to stick your over size melon in. A open crown can help there.


Always thought Dan Bocker looked like a goof.

Will Brennen not at all.

Same for TLJ

Had a woman tell me she sold, "hats like that" when she worked in a Wester store but "they would actually hand crease them for you".

I wear open crown hats because I like them and they fit my head better. The stay un-creased and unshaped for a reason. How about you?

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Always thought Tom Selleck as Monte Walsh looked good in the open crown he bought to attend Chet's wedding (Keith Carradine). After the wedding was over he did dunk it in a barrel of rainwater & shape it.

 

[Bamaboots]

I’ve only bought one western that came OC but have returned most of my vintage ones to OC in preparation to changing the crease. I wore all of them around OC for awhile but was never comfortable with the look for myself.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

...was never comfortable with the look for myself.

I think ratios & face shape are important.

Remember Sam Waterston early in his career? Close to an open crown.

 

[Yahoody]

Classic scene but a dunk in the barrel of rain water wouldn't even phase a good felt. As I remember it he shaped only the brim. Love the wools suit though

Open crown hats are an acquired taste for sure. No doubt about that.

Later on, while hunting Shorty with that '86 in 50-110 the hat morphed into another hat, similar style. Some great hats in that movie.

In real life Selleck still likes a good hat.

May be the classic movie open crown. Captain Call.

 

[Yahoody]

Streets of Laredo was full of OC hats. Hollyweird of course.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Classic scene but a dunk in the barrel of rain water wouldn't even phase a good felt. As I remember it he shaped only the brim. Love the wools suit though

Open crown hats are an acquired taste for sure. No doubt about that.

Later on hunting Shorty witthta '86 in 50-110 the hat morphed into another hat, similar style. Some great hats in that movie.

Selleck likes a good hat.

May be the classic movie open crown.

I looked for a pic when he was offered the job in the Wild West Show as Texas Jack Butler but couldn’t find one.

 

[Yahoody]

Try from 1:12 on for the hat scene. 1:17 for the bronc ride

Monte Walsh 2003 Tom Selleck Full Movie HD - YouTube

I never realized it was Manny that built a good many of the movie hats I really like.

Texas Hatters - HATS - Gentlemen (shoptexashatters.com)

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Texas Jack Butler

When I saw the movie for the first time I made note of the similarity of the Butler name to Frank Butler, a performing sharpshooter in his own right.

After marrying Annie Oakley, Frank dropped his career soon after & helped manage Annie's career.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

 

[Yahoody]

 

[Bamaboots]

View attachment 351012

Stop grinnin, ain’t nuthin funny!

 

[Yahoody]

I like the story behind the photo. That was midnight after the last 109F day. Hard to see it, but I had a big grin on the inside for sure

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Stop grinnin, ain’t nuthin funny!

I like the story behind the photo.

r

I thought you had a burr under your saddle.

 

[Gobi]

 

[Edward]

It's not a look I've ever been inclined to myself. I do quite like some of the open crown hats I've seen, though. These tend to be the ones with a shorter crown and slightly less 'dome' on the top. Often seen worn by Europeanised-Native Americans in Old West films in my experience. Jimi Hendrix (who had Native American blood on both sides of his family) wore this look well:

Here's a more recent (2011) photo of one of his hats (not sure if the same one with a different band as in the photos or another hat):

Can see some denting and imperfection on the open crown there, though to my eye it doesn't look like it has ever been shaped. Can't see me carrying it off with my wardrobe, but it's a very cool look.

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

^ Zues ^

 

[belfastboy]

I think ratios & face shape are important.

Remember Sam Waterston early in his career? Close to an open crown.

View attachment 348513

I have seen this pic many many times and it is about my favourite western look

 

[Edward]

^ Zues ^

Is that the brand?

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

Ha sorry, the "brand" of Man, yes.
I'm of the belief that the heft of Jimi's talents cannot be overstated. The guy was such a giant ... and so freakin' humble. This is really lovely: