When you think of a cowboy hat, one brand comes to mind. Every cowboy needs a Stetson hat.

But where did the name come from, and how did it become so iconic?

It all began in 1865. A man named John B. Stetson rented a room for $100, bought tools and $10 worth of fur, and a company had begun. The now famous “Hat of the West” (otherwise known as “Boss of the Plains”) was born one year later. This hat exemplified the quality, durability, innovation and beauty of the Stetson brand.  John B. Stetson was a master hatter.

A hatter? As in, the Mad Hatter? Here’s the definition:

hat·ter [hat-er] ~ noun

 A maker or seller of hats.

Whew…glad we got that all cleared up. So, John Stetson was a man who made hats, not a crazy man who wears a rather large hat. Stetson was trained by his father, also a master hatter. At the time, making hats was not held in high regard; nonetheless, John  applied himself to the trade.

Why was being a hatter not regarded highly?

For some reason, in the old west, a hatter was seen as an unreliable, lazy, aloof sort that was looking to make money and have fun. John Stetson changed that stereotype. Through his hard work, he built one of America’s most successful, recognized business!

A Solid Vision

John Stetson based his company on two things that keep the business alive and well:

• Innovation
• Quality

We’ll tackle the first: Innovation. What do you, as a consumer, want? You want fresh and new hats that meet current fashion standards. Stetson realizes this, and designs new styles that follow fashion and function. So, in other words, Stetson creates hats that have many different styles and colors while still remaining classic.

Now for the second: Quality. What do you, as a consumer, want? You want a hat that will withstand the rain, snow, sleet, wind and sunshine this world has to offer. Stetson creates high quality hats and has for over 130 years. Throughout the world, Stetson equals quality.

I could write out in detail how a Stetson hat is made. But, if a picture is worth a thousand words, how much more a video?

As you can see, Stetson is the standard in hats, the essence of the spirit of the West, and an icon of everyday American lifestyle. Stetson has stamped its brand into American heritage. They remain as a part of history, and for the same reason will continue into the future.

To make it simple: Stetson is not just a hat. It’s the hat.

Stetson is manufactured in two plants in Texas, making it a 100% made in America product!

If you’re interested in a hat, such as the Boss of the Plains, Buffalo Stetson or Billy Kidd, please contact us. We love to help and we ship all over the world!

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