A cowboy hat should sit comfortably just above your eyebrows and ears, snug enough to stay put in the wind but never tight enough to leave a mark. Getting there starts with one measurement, and it takes about two minutes.
What you need
- A soft tape measure, the kind used for sewing
- No soft tape? A piece of string and a ruler work just as well
- A mirror, or a friend to help
How to measure your head
- Find where the hat will sit. Wrap the tape around your head about 1cm (half an inch) above your eyebrows and the tops of your ears. Run it around the back of your head at its widest point.
- Keep it level and firm. The tape should be snug but not tight, the same pressure you'd want from the hat itself. Keep it flat against your head, with no twists.
- Read the measurement in centimetres. If you used string, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler.
- Measure twice. Take it again to check. If you get two different numbers, go with the larger one.
If you usually wear your hair up, in a braid or with a lot of volume, measure with your hair styled the way you'll wear it under the hat.
Cowboy hat size chart
The Cheyenne and The Dakota come in four sizes. Match your head measurement to the size below.
| Your head measures | Choose | Inches | US hat size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 to 55cm | 55cm | 21 5/8" | 6 7/8 |
| 56 to 57cm | 57cm | 22 1/2" | 7 1/8 |
| 58 to 59cm | 59cm | 23 1/4" | 7 3/8 |
| 60 to 61cm | 61cm | 24" | 7 5/8 |
In between sizes?
Go up to the next size. A hat that's slightly loose is easy to fix, but a hat that's too tight can't be stretched to fit and will give you a headache by the end of the night.
Every Cowboy Calling hat has an adjustable size band hidden underneath the sweatband. If your hat feels a little loose, fold the sweatband up, tighten the adjuster until the hat sits snugly, then fold the sweatband back down. Nobody will ever see it.
For an even more precise fit, you can also use cowboy hat foam spacers. These are thin strips of foam made for cowboy hats that tuck in behind the sweatband. Place one at the front or back of the hat, wherever it feels loose, and add another if you need to. Between the adjuster band and foam spacers, you can fine-tune your hat to your perfect size.
How a cowboy hat should fit
- Snug, not tight. You should feel even, gentle contact all the way around, with no pressure points on your forehead or temples.
- It shouldn't move when you nod. Tip your head forward and back. If the hat slides, it's too big.
- It shouldn't sit on your ears. If it's resting on the tops of your ears or leaving a red line, it's too small.
- Wear it level or tipped slightly forward. Pushed right back on your head looks less Western and more fancy dress.
Find your hat
The Cheyenne is our bold statement hat. The Dakota has a softer shape, made for quiet luxury. Both are available in 55cm, 57cm, 59cm and 61cm, each with a hidden adjustable size band, plus UK delivery and international shipping. Browse the full Cowboy Hats collection.
Still not sure which size? Email us at info@cowboycalling.co.uk with your measurement and we'll help you choose.