Australian Outback Hats Capture the Spirit of the Land Down Under

The Australian Outback Hat, sometimes referred to as Australia's take on the "American Cowboy hat", has similar beginnings to its American counterpart. Australians used to wear these hats just to protect themselves from the elements of heat and rain. Only in this practical sense, however, are these two hats similar.

The Aussie Outback or Australian hat is designed to be smaller and the front and back of the hat are folded down. Also, the sides of the hat are not turned up starkly as they are in the American cowboy hat. Fur felt, straw, canvas, leather, wool felt, kangaroo and mesh have all been used to make Aussie hats. Aussie Outback hats are like American Cowboy hats in that they illustrate the true life of the Australian through form and function.

Almost everyone who lives in the Australian Outback has more than one hat. Each hat has a different use besides the usual use of covering the head in harsh climates. Throughout the world, this headgear is perceived as both a practical and a design choice.

A lot of people think that it is popular to dangle things like crocodile teeth from the brim of your Australian Outback hat; however, this is not really true. Only tourists would wear these. A fedora style hat is often used as a "safari hat". A fedora with the brim completely folded down is typical.

Many variations of the basic Australian Outback hat means you will have a lot of options to select from when you choose the Aussie hat that is just right for you. Ths Australian Outback hat is similar to a small American Cowboy hat. The authentic outback hat is the Akubra Hat. These hats were first made by the Keir family in 1874. They are still made by this family today. The higher quality hats are made out of rabbit fur. The "Snowy River" style is the most popular of the Akubra hats. It got it's name from the movie called "The Man From Snowy River".

A Barma - This hat is a "squashable" hat. This means that you can fold it up tiny to store it, but it will spring right back into shape when you are ready to wear it. This is because only high-quality, specific, premium leathers are used to make these hats. Jacaru is one of Australia's original makers of leather hats. There is also a canvas design and both are extremely durable and weather with distinction.

Bill Connor was the creator of BC hats - hence the name. Bill started the very first leather hat business when he introduced his steer hide hat. BC Hats makes a unique sort of hat that has wire mesh in the brim. This helps shape the hat and it holds the shape better. All over the world people think of the "Stockman" style as the "Aussie hat". Cork: When you think Australian hat, this one is the stereotype. The brim of the hat has cork strung inside of it to help ward off pesky flying insects. There is a belief that the oscillating movement of the corks prevents insects from attacking the wearer.

Go to www.hats-forsale.com to see a wide variety of Australian Outback hats. You will soon see that there are lots of different types to choose from. You really need to see all the pictures to get the full effect and decide which one is right for you. You'll have to choose carefully if you are to become the next Crocodile Dundee!