Leading Manufacturers Several companies are renowned for producing high-quality straw cowboy hats: American Hat Co: Founded in 1915, American Hat Co is known for its craftsmanship and innovation.

First, Orms selected a hat — Rodeo King brand, light blue in color and felt made of a beaver/rabbit fur blend. Then, he bathed it in a cloud of steam.

The better the hat, the easier the shaping. "One of my $1,000 hats, it shapes like butter," he says. A few rodeo volunteers stroll by the booth wearing simple black cowboy hats.

Unless you plan to wear your cowboy hat multiple times, don't buy one for one-time use, as a classic Cattleman Straw Cowboy Hat sells for $145 USD from Tecovas.

Whether you prefer a modern straw hat or something more eye-catching like the Houstonian’s crisp white Stetson seen at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, below, we’ve rounded up options to suit ...