What shoes to wear with cowboy hat (Explained)

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Believe it or not, the answer to this question is varied. 

It is most common to wear boots with a cowboy hat, especially if they are cowboy boots. 

However, it is also fashionable to wear dress shoes or casual shoes with one, just not sandals. It greatly depends on the occasion. 

For more information on this subject, keep reading this article. 

How to match cowboy hat to boots

Is this important? In actuality, yes; but many people fail to do this, and they survive just fine. 

Nobody really notices. Ideally though, you should wear a hat that matches your boots. Would you like some examples? 

Keep reading!

If it is a formal occasion, you want your hat and boot color to go with your suit jacket and pants.

They can either be a match or a complimentary contrasting color. In either case, you will want your hat and boots to match for the best look.

Technically, the material of the hat and boots should also match.

For instance, if you are wearing a suede cowboy hat, you would be best off wearing suede cowboy boots. People don’t always pay attention to this rule.

Can you wear a cowboy hat with shoes?

It depends on whom you are dressing for. 

There are some purists who feel that wearing anything other than boots with a cowboy hat is a sin. 

The rest of the public does not feel this way and tends to ignore the purists.

In essence, yes you can wear shoes with a cowboy hat; but the type of shoes you wear is relevant.

You can wear a nice pair of dress shoes and look extremely handsome. As we already mentioned though, wearing sandals is a no-no.

If you are working or riding on a horse when wearing a cowboy hat, nobody will give you flack if you wear sneakers.

You may look a little silly that way, but who cares if you are comfortable in them? Wear sneakers or shoes if you want!

Are there specific fashion rules for wearing dress shoes with a cowboy hat?

Once again, it depends on the occasion. 

If it is a formal event, dress shoes should be worn. 

If the person would rather wear boots, then a dressy pair of cowboy boots is appropriate and looks fine to others.

Another factor is where the person is. In much of American nowadays, a cowboy hat is seldom worn. If someone in the northeastern United States is wearing one, they will likely be mocked.

Of course, if they are in either the west or southwest, it is common and revered.

Your best bet is to wear shoes with a material and a color to match your cowboy hat.

This is extremely fashionable, and you will look quite dashing.

Do you have to wear boots with a cowboy hat?

While it is not illegal not to wear the boots; fashion mavens insist that boots are a must if you are going to wear the cowboy hat. 

Consider this! If you are wearing a black cowboy hat with black dress boots, you will look sensational. 

Especially if the hat and boots are made of leather or another fine material.

If you do not have a pair of boots, then a slick-looking pair of dress shoes of a similar style to the hat will do fine.

A more formal appearance will be achieved by wearing cowboy boots with a cowboy hat.

Please note, if you are wearing a boot of any other type than a cowboy boot when you are wearing a cowboy hat, some people might think you look ridiculous.

However, if you don’t care what those people think, go ahead and wear them.

What about women?

Generally the same fashion rules apply to a woman wearing shoes with a cowgirl hat as they do for men. 

It depends on where she is as well as the occasion. 

Again, if she lives in the west or southwest, it is appropriate for her to wear a cowgirl hat. 

In that case, if she wants to wear shoes with it, dressier kinds look best.

On the other hand, if she lives anyplace else, she might look rather silly in a cowgirl hat. However, the United States is a free country.

So, if she chooses to wear one anyhow, that is her right and nobody will ever stop her.

As with the men, if a woman wants to appear as a fashion plate, she should wear cowgirl boots with a cowgirl hat. She should try to match the colors and material types for the best look possible.

Where is it normal to wear a cowboy hat?

As we have been alluding to, this completely depends on where he is and the occasion. If a man of the west is attending a formal occasion, then wearing a cowboy hat with his attire IS dressing up. 

In this case, he would wear an especially fine hat. 

Chances are he owns a number of cowboy hats anyhow, one for each purpose.

It is also prudent to wear one while performing his cowboy duties on the range or a ranch. Normally, this would be while riding his or her horse.

In such a case, he should wear work-oriented cowboy boots with the rest of his outfit.

Final Thoughts

Keep in mind, even at casual events but especially at formal ones, it is proper etiquette to remove the hat upon entering the building or room. 

This is true of any type of hat in addition to a cowboy one. It is also okay to wear shoes when wearing the cowboy hat as long as they are meant for that level of formality. 

Again, this is a free country. If you want to wear the shoes with the hat, go right ahead!