Hollywood movie characters and hats have maintained a long-lasting and loving relationship and bond since the era of old Westerners, as per Movie Themed. That is why iconic hat styles still conjure pictures of Hollywood actors with some of their iconic or signature hats. Several Hollywood films featured lead actors wearing classic Western hats that aptly defined them. Some of these Hollywood film hats are so iconic and popular that you may still find them and buy them in stores and online. John Wayne started wearing a cowboy hat in movies almost accidentally. It was just a simple headwear choice for a particular film character. Much to the delight of millions of Americans, the character became iconic, and so did John Wayne and his cowboy hat. John Wayne wore hats in several movies throughout his film career.
Some Interesting Facts of Typical Cowboy Hats Popularized By John Wayne
John Wayne made multiple appearances in movies wearing cowboy hats. Throughout contemporary history, fashion trends have been coming and going. One trend still going strong is the love for the evergreen cowboy hats that have managed to sustain and survive for decades. There are numerous intriguing facts about this particular type ofWestern hats for men.
The contemporary cowboy hat originated in 1865 when its prototype was developed by famous hat maker John B Stetson. Ever since then the cowboy hats became phenomenally popular as John Wayne, a Western film icon, started sporting them in his movies. John Wayne was a style icon, and he used stunning cowboy hats to make a bold fashion statement. For many critics and fans, John Wayne personified the Western movie genre. The talented American artist, filmmaker, and actor spent his life flaunting striking cowboy hats both off and on-screen.
The intrinsic affinity and passion Wayne had for his cowboy hats played a pivotal role in building his smart, confident cowboy image in front of his countless fans and movie buffs. The cowboy hats were not regarded as mere props for his characters in films. Instead, his iconic cowboy hats contributed to boosting his identity. Gradually the hats he wore on sets started becoming an integral part of his life and overall personality. His on-screen hats became a big hit with him, and eventually, John Wayne traveled around the world, flaunting his cowboy hats beyond the movie sets and camera range.
The Shape of Cowboy Hats Defines Who You Are
Cowboy hats are a robust expression of who you are. For instance, a tall hat with a typically narrower crown was worn by cattlemen, but used as a functional headgear and a fashion statement too. This hat is best for shielding you against the harsh sun, rain, sand, and wind.
The X-Factor Says It All
The best way of describing and determining the quality of a cowboy hat is by taking a close look at its X-factor rating system. It will describe the actual percentage of high-grade pure fur utilized for crafting the felt of the hat. Likewise, the overall felt quality will help determine the actual price of a cowboy hat. Some cowboy hats could be exorbitantly priced.
Cowboy Hats Are Excellent Weather-Proof Version
Apart from the straw hats, all other cowboy hats are designed and created for handling extended hours in mild rain or direct sunlight. However, cowboy hats made from straw and other natural fibers should be over-exposed to harsh weather elements over extended sessions. Felt cowboy hats are known for their robustness and longevity. Top hat brands manufacture weather-proof cowboy hats that may survive both snow and rain. However, heavy downpours and thunderstorms may end up damaging your expensive felt hats.
John Wayne’s Hot Favorite Cowboy Hat Style
Hat lovers across the globe have their favorite hat style even though John Wayne’s iconic Cowboy hat style is well-known and phenomenally popular. The actor spoke about his hat preferences and passion for wearing stunning cowboy hats in his public announcements and interviews. Moreover, he demonstrated his unwavering love for cowboy hats by wearing them wherever he went. A striking cowboy hat was a part of his style, and his attire was incomplete without a matching cowboy hat. He would always wear a conventional triangle-crease cowboy hat.
On movie sets, where on most occasions, other actors would naturally rely on the film’s costume design department’s guidance; Wayne would buy his cowboy hat. John Wayne’s success has been attributed to Stagecoach in 1939 and which featured his personal cowboy hat. However, on this occasion, the style was a typical or traditional hat that had just a single side crease. For the next 20 years, Wayne continued wearing his hats on different film sets. Some of his hit films where he flaunted his brown felt cowboy hats are:
- “The Undefeated” (1969)
- “El Dorado” (1966)
- “The Sons of Katie Elder” (1965)
- “McClintock!” (1963)
- “The Comancheros” (1961)
His favorite brown felt cowboy hat he had flaunted in so many films was sold in 2014`for a whopping $37,500 at an auction sale. It reflected the iconic Western legacy of the legendary actor.
John Wayne’s illustrious career came to an end ultimately in a typical John Wayne fashion. The legendary actor’s last film was ‘The Shootist’ in 1976, and it featured his hot favorite style yet again. He flaunted the iconic cowboy hat that had two sides pinched right at the front. Wayne played the character of a gunslinger suffering from cancer. He was fighting this deadly disease in his personal life too.
Conclusion
John Wayne seamlessly integrated his personal life and his cinematic persona or reel life. His personality reflected a magical blend of his unique individual personality and western characters from his films. In real life, he looked and behaved like his on-screen characters while he infused elements of his inherent charm and unique identity into on-screen characters. Wayne firmly believed that his cowboy hats played much greater roles than staying confined to the costume department.