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Friday, February 27, 2009

The American Cowboy Hat - Image of the Western Spirit

By Keith Walker

The American cowboy hat has traditional look that is a truly American. Cowboy hats have come in many shapes and sizes over time, yet their popularity endures. It's a unique object that commands such a love affair for any culture. The American cowboy hat will likely remain a archetypal symbol since it stands for so many traditional American qualities.

For many people today the image of the old west is full of ideals that are still held dear. Few things are more American than the stories of hard working cowboys, moving out west to build better lives for their families. The premise of the American dream strikes a chord for so many. Thus we find ourselves a long standing cultural attachment to this iconic fashion item.

The period known as Manifest Destiny is an important part of American history. The American cowboy hat is a symbol that reminds us of that time. Seeing it's image we remember our past, a time when courageous men and women who set out to move west, tame the frontier lands and create the nation we love today.

More than our history, the American cowboy hat has also become an icon for the values that drive our nation still today. The people of the United States still pride themselves on a sense of hard work. Few jobs are tougher than that of the cowboys in the old west. It was a job that could be dirty, dangerous and tiresome, but it was also making a wholesome and honest living. This is still an important aspect to many people of our culture today. That is why it is fashion that is still worn by anyone from music stars to politicians. It is an iconic symbol that represents an undying national spirit.

Americans also take pride in the strength of our worldwide presence. Few images embody this spirit and boldness more than the old west. It's easy to see why some of our populart icons have been actors from the big screen western movies, like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. In that same spirit the cowboy hats worn by these legends have become symbolic of our tough and gritty American culture.

All around the world America represents a land of opportunity. From the time of the gold rush of the 1800's, people have moved westward to seek their fortune and a chance to grab their piece of the American dream. This time period marks the point in history where the American cowboy hat gained popularity in fashion. It is little surprise then that it has become an image of the both national and personal prosperity that has driven so many people from around the world dream of coming to America.

It's easy to see why our young nation, relative to the rest of the world, clings to such a symbolic piece of apparel. Even with the rise of technology that has all but eliminated the American cowboy of the past, it has ingrained an image that America has latched onto. While our culture continues to change, the American cowboy hat remains largely unchanged.

No matter how much this nation changes, it will still be a reminder of the qualities that we hold dear. It can be wild and tough, or sophisticated, and more than anything it is a timeless symbol of a nation that forever changed the world. The American cowboy hat is likely to always be a popular fashion item.

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