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If you’ve ever been to the Alabama, you’ve probably gotten the impression that it’s a very country place in America. This southeastern state in the United States is known for producing peanuts, cotton, and cattle.
Since “The Cotton State” is famous for producing cattle among other agricultural exports, you might wonder if cowboy hats are worn in this state. Since country music can be found blaring all through this region, cowboy hats seem like a key part of the culture there, right?
The answer to this question might be kind of surprising, depending on your knowledge of the United States’ culture and the cowboy subculture. According to many folks from Alabama, cowboy hats aren’t all that commonly seen in Alabama.
This isn’t to say that you’ll never see someone rocking a cowboy hat in Birmingham, AL. State Troopers in the region most likely wear a special kind of wide-brimmed cowboy hat as part of their uniform.
For the average Joe in Alabama, a cowboy hat is probably not his first choice for a hat. If you see someone wearing a cowboy hat in Alabama, he probably isn’t from around there or doesn’t care to fit in with everyone else.
As a whole, in the south, cowboy hats tend to be popular, though. In Texas, for example, cowboy hats can be seen all over the place.
In mountainous areas like the eastern mountains in the United States, cowboy hats also show up more often than in urban areas like New York City or Baltimore.
While Alabama isn’t a great place to find people wearing cowboy hats, some of the neighboring states around Alabama are hotbeds for cowboy culture. As an article on wideopencountry.com shares, some of the places in the U.S. where cowboy culture is “alive and well” include Oklahoma, Louisiana, and, of course, Texas.
While cowboy hats aren’t as popular in the southeast as they are in the western side of the United States, they can be spotted here and there throughout the region, since it does have a country feel to it.
Who wears cowboy hats?
Cowboy hats are worn by a wide range of people. Men and women alike enjoy wearing cowboy hats for their cool, country aesthetic and practical shielding from rain, snow, and shine.
Leather cowboy hats in particular remain a staple in many people’s wardrobes. They’re great for wearing on a day-to-day basis or on special occasions like festivals, fairs, and during performances.
Some people even wear cowboy hats to formal events such as weddings and other ceremonies. For many people, cowboy hats are a fashion statement and a sign of pride in their rustic roots.
In short, regular people of all walks of life wear cowboy hats these days. In the past, cowboy hats were mostly worn by ranchers.
Sometimes, farmers and others who work outside with livestock will wear cowboy hats. At the end of the day, anyone in Alabama and beyond can wear cowboy hats.
Robert is a native Texan writer for TexasWalkabout, passionate about Texas culture and food, wearing cowboy boots daily. He interviews local pitmasters and chefs, tastes and reviews innovative dishes, and explores hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Graduating magna cum laude in Cyber Security from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Robert excels academically and professionally while also being knowledgeable in Texas history and culture. After living in Texas for over 28 years, he provides first-hand and trustworthy information for all your Texas needs!
