Every fall, the women in my family gather for our annual reunion. It’s a tradition that has now become a highlight of the year, filled with laughter, stories, and, of course, a theme. Last year, we all went Irish, complete with greenery and Guinness. This year, we’re heading straight into the Wild West. And that meant one thing: I needed the right hat. Enter Hat Country.
The hat I’m going with is the Stetson Maximo, part of the Stallion by Stetson Collection. It’s exactly what I needed (the details: 100X straw body, 3bu 2×2 weave, 4 1/4-inch Cattleman Crown, 4-inch brim). The croc-print hatband with a three-piece buckle set adds just the right amount of polish. It’s rugged enough for a Western theme, yet elegant enough to feel timeless.
That’s the beauty of Hat Country: they make it easy to find a hat that feels like yours. Their site is organized so you can browse by style, brand, occasion, material and more, making the process simple instead of overwhelming. And if what you pick doesn’t work out, they’ll make sure you end up with the right one.
The story of Hat Country makes the experience even more meaningful. The company began in 1973 as a flea market stand in Englishtown, New Jersey. By the late ’80s, they were a familiar face at rodeos and fairs, winning loyal customers by showing up with quality gear. Then, in 2002, long before online shopping became a habit, husband-and-wife team Mike and Amy Vandenstockt launched Hat Country from their garage in Florida. No investors, no flashy ads, just a belief that Western wear deserved a proper home.
Today, Hat Country is based in North Carolina with warehouses nationwide, shipping cowboy hats, boots, apparel and accessories across the globe. Their inventory is also unmatched. You can find household names like Stetson, Resistol, Ariat and Charlie 1 Horse. But the selection goes beyond Western classics; you can find a hat for any occasion (sleek fedoras, wide-brim sun hats, children’s hats, etc.)
And it turns out, hats are just the start. Hat Country also carries apparel like jackets and jeans, footwear like boots and slippers, and accessories ranging from belts to purses and socks. It’s everything you’d need to pull a Western-inspired outfit together or just add a touch of cowboy cool to your everyday wardrobe. I thought my look was complete with the Stetson, but now I’m not so sure. A belt or a pair of boots might be exactly what I need to take it over the top.
Hat Country is helping me make sure this year’s family photo looks exactly how it should: Wild West perfect. I might just add an accessory or two.
