Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hats | Shape & Buying Guide

Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hats: What They Are & How to Choose Your Shape

An open crown straw cowboy hat gives you something a pre-shaped hat cannot: the ability to make the final shape your own. Instead of arriving with a permanent crown crease already formed, an open crown hat starts with an uncreased crown that can be shaped into the western profile you prefer.

At La Herradura Western Wear, our Straw Cowboy Hat Collection includes western straw hats across different brands, crown profiles, brim sizes and styles, including open crown options designed for riders who want a more personalized look.

Whether you're preparing for rodeo season, building a traditional western outfit or simply want a straw hat shaped specifically for you, understanding how an open crown works makes choosing the right hat much easier.

What Is an Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hat?

An open crown cowboy hat is a hat whose crown has not yet been permanently creased into a finished shape.

When viewed before shaping, the crown appears taller and relatively smooth. A skilled hat shaper can then form the crown and brim according to the customer's preferred western style.

This is different from a pre-shaped straw cowboy hat, which arrives with its crown and brim already formed.

The biggest advantage is customization.

Instead of choosing only between factory-created shapes, an open crown hat gives you a foundation that can be shaped according to your preferred:

• Crown profile

• Crown height

• Front crease

• Side dents

• Brim curl

• Brim width appearance

• Overall western style

For shoppers who already know the look they want, an open crown can be one of the best ways to create a more personal cowboy hat.

Why Do Cowboy Hats Come Open Crown?

Open crown hats are closely connected to traditional western hat shaping.

Different riders, ranchers, rodeo competitors and western communities have developed their own preferences for how a cowboy hat should look. Because of that, there is no single crown shape that works for everyone.

An open crown lets the final shape reflect the wearer rather than forcing every customer into the same factory crease.

American Hat Company, for example, is particularly well known for open-crown straw hats intended for custom shaping.

La Herradura carries numerous American Hat open crown straw styles within our broader straw cowboy hat selection.

Open Crown vs Pre-Shaped Straw Cowboy Hat

The main difference comes down to flexibility versus convenience.

Open Crown Straw Hat

An open crown gives you greater control over the finished appearance.

It is a strong choice when:

• You know the crown shape you want

• You want professional hat shaping

• You prefer a more personalized western look

• You want control over crown and brim styling

• You are purchasing a premium western hat

Pre-Shaped Straw Hat

A pre-shaped hat is ready to wear immediately.

It can be better when:

• You already like the factory shape

• You don't need customization

• You want a simple ready-to-wear option

• You are buying your first cowboy hat and prefer an established shape

Neither option is automatically better.

The right choice depends on how much control you want over the final appearance.

If you want to compare both options, browse the complete La Herradura Straw Hat Collection.

Can You Shape an Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hat?

Yes.

That is exactly why many western hat buyers choose an open crown.

The crown can be shaped into a selected western profile while the brim can also be adjusted to complement the crown.

However, straw should be handled differently from felt. Proper equipment, controlled heat or steam and experience matter when shaping a quality straw cowboy hat.

Premium open crown hats should not simply be crushed or aggressively bent by hand.

Professional shaping helps create cleaner lines while protecting the structure of the hat.

American Hat Open Crown Straw Hats

American Hat Company is one of the most recognizable names associated with customizable open crown western hats.

La Herradura carries multiple American Hat open crown straw models, giving customers different starting points for their preferred shape.

One example is the 6800 American Straw Hat Open Crown Style.

This model is offered with personalized shaping, allowing customers to specify their preferred style before the hat is prepared.

If you are looking for additional American Hat styles, browse our full Straw Cowboy Hat Collection, where open crown options appear alongside other premium western straw hats.

What Shapes Can an Open Crown Cowboy Hat Become?

One reason open crown hats remain popular is that the crown is not locked into one appearance.

Depending on the hat, brim and shaping possibilities, an open crown may be formed into several recognizable western profiles.

Common shaping considerations include:

Crown Height

A taller crown creates a more pronounced western silhouette, while a lower profile can appear more compact.

Center Crease

The center line running through the top of the crown can dramatically change how the hat appears from the front and side.

Side Dents

Side dents help define the crown and can make the overall hat appear narrower or broader.

Front Profile

Small differences in how the crown is pinched or shaped near the front can substantially change the personality of the hat.

Brim Shape

The crown isn't the only part that matters.

The brim can be shaped with more or less curl depending on the western look you want.

The relationship between the crown and brim is what ultimately creates the finished silhouette.

How Do I Choose the Right Open Crown Shape?

Start with the look you want rather than choosing a shape only because it is popular.

Consider three things:

1. Your Preferred Western Style

Some customers want a traditional ranch or rodeo appearance. Others prefer a taller, more dramatic profile.

Choose a shape that fits how you actually dress and where you plan to wear the hat.

2. Crown and Brim Proportion

A crown cannot be considered by itself.

A taller or more prominent crown can look very different depending on whether it is paired with a narrower or wider brim.

The goal should be balance.

3. The Hat You Are Starting With

Different open crown hats can have different dimensions and construction.

That means not every finished shape will look identical on every hat.

When shopping, pay attention to the starting crown, brim and proportions of the specific product.

Our straw hat collection lets you compare a wide range of western straw hats before choosing your preferred style.

Should I Buy an Open Crown Cowboy Hat?

Consider an open crown straw cowboy hat if personalization matters to you.

It can be especially worthwhile if:

• You already have a favorite cowboy hat shape

• You want a professional western look

• You want your hat shaped differently from a standard factory crease

• You are investing in a premium straw cowboy hat

• You want more control over the crown and brim

• You participate in western events, rodeos or ranch activities

If you simply want something ready to wear, a pre-shaped straw cowboy hat may be more convenient.

The important thing is not whether a hat begins open crown or pre-shaped. It is whether the final fit, proportion and style work for you.

Can You Reshape a Straw Cowboy Hat?

Some straw cowboy hats can be adjusted or reshaped, but straw requires more careful handling than felt.

How much reshaping is possible depends on factors such as the hat's construction, condition, previous shaping and manufacturer.

Repeatedly bending or reshaping straw incorrectly can damage the structure.

For that reason, significant changes are better handled by an experienced hat shaper.

If your goal is a very specific shape from the beginning, purchasing an open crown hat can often be preferable to extensively changing a factory-shaped hat later.

How Should an Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hat Fit?

Shape and size are separate decisions.

Custom shaping changes the appearance of the hat, but you should still begin with the correct head size.

A properly fitted cowboy hat should feel secure without creating uncomfortable pressure.

It should not slide excessively when you move your head, but it also should not feel painfully tight.

Always choose the correct size first. Then decide how you want the crown and brim shaped.

Are Open Crown Straw Hats Good for Rodeos?

They can be an excellent choice for rodeo and western-event wear because they allow the wearer to create a more individualized western profile.

The ability to choose your crown and brim shape is particularly valuable for people who already have a signature hat style.

The right choice still depends on fit, construction, brim dimensions and your personal preferences.

For different options across rodeo, western and everyday wear, explore our western straw cowboy hats.

Where Can I Buy Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hats?

La Herradura Western Wear carries open crown and pre-shaped straw cowboy hats across a wide range of western styles and brands.

Our selection includes premium American Hat open crown models as well as other straw hats designed for rodeos, ranch wear, western events and everyday cowboy style.

Start with the complete Straw Cowboy Hat Collection to compare available styles.

For a customizable example, see the 6800 American Open Crown Straw Hat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Crown Straw Cowboy Hats

What does open crown mean on a cowboy hat?

Open crown means the crown has not yet been formed into its final crease or western shape. This allows the hat to be custom shaped according to the wearer's preference.

Why would I buy an open crown cowboy hat?

The main reason is customization. You can select a crown and brim style instead of being limited to the manufacturer's factory shape.

Can an open crown straw hat be shaped?

Yes. Open crown straw cowboy hats are specifically suited to shaping, although straw should be handled correctly to avoid damaging the hat.

Is an open crown hat better than a pre-shaped hat?

Not necessarily. Open crown is better for customization, while pre-shaped hats are more convenient for customers who already like the factory shape.

Can I reshape my straw cowboy hat later?

Some straw hats can be reshaped, but the amount of adjustment possible depends on their construction and condition. Professional shaping is recommended for substantial changes.

Do open crown cowboy hats come in different sizes?

Yes. Open crown describes the crown shape, not the hat size. You still need to choose the correct size for your head.

Are American Hat straw hats available open crown?

Yes. La Herradura carries multiple American Hat open crown straw styles, including the 6800 model and other American Hat designs in our straw hat inventory.

Find Your Straw Cowboy Hat at La Herradura

The right cowboy hat begins with the right foundation.

For some riders, that means choosing a finished shape they can wear immediately. For others, it means starting with an open crown and creating a hat that reflects their own western style.

Explore the complete La Herradura Straw Cowboy Hat Collection to compare open crown hats, shaped straw hats, different crown profiles, brim styles and premium western brands.

If you want the flexibility of personalized shaping, start with an open crown style such as the 6800 American Straw Hat and choose the look that fits you.