Australian Outback Hats Define the Spirit of the Land Down Under

The Australian Outback Hat, often called the Australian version of the American Cowboy hat, was developed in basically the same way. Australians in earlier times also needed something to cover their head during the really hot weather and to keep the rain off of them. This is where the similarity stops though.

The Australian or ?Aussie? Outback hat is smaller in design and turned down in the front and back. It is also not as dramatically turned up on the sides. Aussie hats are made from fur felt, straw, canvas, leather, wool felt, kangaroo and sometimes mesh. As with American Cowboy hats, the Aussie Outback hats captures the life of the Australian in it’s design and use.

Almost everyone who lives in the Australian Outback has more than one hat. Each hat has a different use besides the usual use of covering the head in harsh climates. Throughout the world, this headgear is perceived as both a practical and a design choice.

Some misconceptions in Australian Outback hats are that some wearer’s will dangle crocodile teeth and other items off of the brim. These are only for tourists. Fedora hats are used for ?safari hats?. It is originally a fedora with the brim simply folded down all the way around.

Numerous styles of Australian Outback hats exist. This kind of hat is like the American Cowboy hat, only smaller. Akubra Hats are the original kind of Outback hat. The Keir family began manufacturing these hats in 1874, and they are still at it today. The higher quality hats are made of wild rabbit fur. The “snowy river” hat is the most popular Akubra hat. The name is from the movie “The Man from Snowy River.”

In Australia, it is important to be able to fold your hat up very small for storage and then have it spring right back into shape when you are ready to wear it. The Aussies coined the term “squashable” to describe this important quality. These hats are truly “squashable”. One reason for this is that the manufacturers only use the highest quality of leather. In this way, they can create a consistent product. Jacaru was one of the first to create the leather style Australian hat. A canvas style is also available. Both styles have a brawny, outdoor appearance and gain even more character as they age.

Bill Connor was the creator of BC hats – hence the name. Bill started the very first leather hat business when he introduced his steer hide hat. BC Hats makes a unique sort of hat that has wire mesh in the brim. This helps shape the hat and it holds the shape better. All over the world people think of the “Stockman” style as the “Aussie hat”. Cork: When you think Australian hat, this one is the stereotype. The brim of the hat has cork strung inside of it to help ward off pesky flying insects. There is a belief that the oscillating movement of the corks prevents insects from attacking the wearer.

Go to www.hats-forsale.com to see a wide variety of Australian Outback hats. You will soon see that there are lots of different types to choose from. You really need to see all the pictures to get the full effect and decide which one is right for you. You’ll have to choose carefully if you are to become the next Crocodile Dundee!