Australian Outback Hats Capture the Spirit of the Land Down Under

The American Cowboy hat and the Australian Outback hat share a similar history. This may be why the outback hat is often called the Australian version of the Cowboy hat. Earlier Australians experienced the need to protect themselves from the heat and rain, and so did American cowboys. It’s at this point that all similarities cease.

The Aussie Outback or Australian hat is designed to be smaller and the front and back of the hat are folded down. Also, the sides of the hat are not turned up starkly as they are in the American cowboy hat. Fur felt, straw, canvas, leather, wool felt, kangaroo and mesh have all been used to make Aussie hats. Aussie Outback hats are like American Cowboy hats in that they illustrate the true life of the Australian through form and function.

Folks in the Australian Outback are known to have many hats. The hat is more than just a head covering. It has lots of different uses due to the harsh and variable climate. However, having grown in popularity, these hats are now being chosen more for their fashion than their function.

Many people mistakenly think that Australians will hang trinkets from the brims of these Australian Outback hats such as crocodile teeth and other items. Tourists are the only ones who would wear these. Fedora hats are only worn when one needs a safari hat. Traditionally it’s a fedora with the brim completely pushed down.

The Australian Outback hat comes in a variety of styles for which you can choose from. These hats are a smaller version of the American Cowboy hat. Akubra Hats-These are the original outback hat. First manufactured in 1874 by the Keir family and is still in the family today. These hats are made from wild rabbit fur felt for better quality. The most popular style of the Akubra hat is the ?snowy river? style. This is phrased after the film ?The Man From Snowy River?.

A Barma – This hat is a “squashable” hat. This means that you can fold it up tiny to store it, but it will spring right back into shape when you are ready to wear it. This is because only high-quality, specific, premium leathers are used to make these hats. Jacaru is one of Australia’s original makers of leather hats. There is also a canvas design and both are extremely durable and weather with distinction.

BC Hats-Named after the creator Bill Conner who began the first leather hat business with his steer hide hat. BC Hats also produces one of a kind hats with wire mesh in the brim in order to shape and hold shape better. The ?Stockman? style is recognized the world over as a ?Aussie hat?. Cork-This is the most stereotypical Australian hat. This hat features corks strung from the brim to keep away flying insects. It is believed that the swaying motion of the corks keeps insects from biting the wearer.

As you can see, the Australian Outback Hat has many versions and the best way to get the full effect of each hat is to go to www.hats-forsale.com to view each hat to see which one you would like to have. Who knows, you just may be the next Crocodile Dundee!