When you think of a cowboy, the first thing that pops to mind is probably the hat or the boots. Although broad-brimmed hats date as far back as the Mongolian horsemen of the 13th century, the modern country or western hat was invented in 1865. Country style hats are very popular today, and a lot of Aussies are wearing them for sun protection.

Whether you’re a cowboy working in the open field or a cowgirl walking down the city streets, a great quality country hat that you can wear with everything is a must-have. Western cowboy hats, however, are so versatile in style, size and colour, that choosing the one that matches your face perfectly might be a pretty hard and mindful task.

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The style you choose should suit your taste and lifestyle. The western hat styles mostly differ by two features: the crown style and the brim shape. You can find a wide range of country style hats, with each style designed to protect you from the harsh UV rays and complete your whole outfit. One of the most popular and often worn western hats is cattleman. This type of hats has a pinch crown three crown creases--two on each side and one directly down the centre of the hat. This hat also has a broad, dripping brim with slightly curved edges.

Other popular styles similar to this one are the low cattleman and the wide cattleman. The crown of the low cattleman is lower in height, while the wide cattleman has a wider centre dent. One of the most famous manufacturers of these and a plethora of other designs is Akubra. Among the trending Akubra country style hats are the Rough Rider, Riverina and Akubra Traveller.

The Rough Rider features a pro rodeo brim, and centre-creased western crown with a fancy braided double horse hair tail band and satin lining. Available in multiple colours, from beige, brown and black shades, to stong pink and blue, this hat can easily be your favourite wardrobe addition. Similar to this one, the Riverina country style hat has a fedora crown to give a distinctive-looking top profile. What makes this hat unique is its 15mm ridgeback kangaroo-plait hatband, alongside its 102mm brim with a cut edge.

The Akubra Traveller might be an ideal choice for those who are constantly on the move. It features a soft, conforming structure that allows a pliable feeling. Its unique ‘memory’ allows you to manipulate it back in shape if mistreated. The felt edge brim, plaited bonded leather band, and soft inner sweatband are what makes this county hat eccentric. You can choose from a lot of other available styles and designs, from the same or a different brand, but the perfect style for you mostly depends on your face shape.

Your cowboy hat should be in proportion to your stature - height, weight - and personal style all count too. But one of the most important factors you should consider when shopping for western hats is the shape of your face.

If your face has an oval shape, you’re in luck-just about any cowboy hat may suit you perfectly. You can opt for a low to medium size crown with medium size brim for a more flattering appearance. You can go for a country hat with an open crown and brim slightly raised with a large dip in the front to get compliments from everyone.

People with round faces might look better with a hat that has a high crown and a slanted brim. The smartest option is to opt for asymmetrical shapes that can help counter your symmetrical face. Have in mind to avoid wide brims and rounded crowns.

If you have a long, thin face, you might want to stick to a country hat with a low to a medium-size crown, so it rests lower on your forehead. Go with curved and wide brims, since the short or flat brims might overemphasise the long lines of your face.

Square faces with a straight jawline, wide forehead and strong cheekbones might look best in a western hat with a wide brim. Rounded cowboy hats with curved brims might help counter your strong jaw. Even a floppy cowboy hat with a soft brim might contrasts nicely with this face shape. However, it might be a good rule of thumb to avoid harsh creases and cuts.

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The hat you choose should be both stylish and functional. Don’t forget that your hat should protect you from the harsh UV rays and wind, but it also should be water-resistant so you can wear it on the rainy days. For a long-lasting, functional and durable cowboy hat, nothing beats rabbit fur felt. Hats made from this material provide comfort, durability, longevity and weather protection. They are also easy to maintain and manipulate for reshaping.

There’re a couple of rules you should follow to keep your hat in good condition. First, stow your hat upside down. This way, you can avoid the brim to flatten with time. Then, use a soft brush to keep your hat clean. Brushing the hat in an anti-clock direction will remove all the dirt. If there’s a stain, you can rub the affected area with a paint thinner or a dry cleaning fluid.

The most important thing to remember is to keep your hat away from extensive heat. If you leave it near a stove, radiator or car window, it might end up shrinking, and you don’t want that. If the hat brim is out of shape, you can steam the area until it is moist (hold it over a kettle). The bent brim can be reshaped with your fingertips, and any marks should disappear. And the last rule is to wear your county hat with pride.