By Penelope Morgan

There is a popular cultural comment in America: ‘It’s the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed.’ It here refers to the cowboy hat. Among the few things that have an extreme symbolic importance in American culture and history, the cowboy hat occupies a place of prime importance. A cowboy hat can be placed immediately in the context of Americas cultural history.

John B. Stetson created the cowboy hat. So the invention of the cowboy hat is quite new in Americas popular culture. Before this the cowpunchers in the plains were seen in second-hand items of earlier jobs and lives.

The cowboy hat is known around the globe as Old West cowboy folklore. The hat has a widespread usage. It is almost a dress code for the farm and ranch workers in western and southern United States and northern Mexico, for country-western musicians, and for those who are a part of the rodeo group in North America.

The cowboy hat is a creation that contains influences of other culturally significant attires. The form of a broad-brimmed, high crowned hat worn by horse riders is traditionally a cultural symbol of the Mexican vaquero. But the hat itself that we see today has evolved through a number of designs. There are designs like sombrero and galan. These are the kind worn by farmers and stockmen in east United States and the same is the design of the United States Cavalry.

John B. Stetson was the inventor of the cowboy hat in USA. He was also responsible for its design and marketing. He named the hat “Boss of the Plains.” Earlier the shape of the hat was directly linked to its place of origin. Once you could know the hometown of a cowboy by the crease of his hat.

The wide rim of the cowboy hat was originally intended to protect the cowboys from the rain and the sun. It was mainly functional. It could alternatively be used to send signals to others, keep a campfire burning and even draw water from a stream. The hats even today have these uses.

But, more than that it is a style statement of the Western American lifestyle. A number of elegant designs are there in soft colors like black and many shades of beige, brown and gray. There is a light fuzzy gray called silver belly. The styles are all unisex. But women can get cowboy hats at a wide range of shades, even, bright vivid colors.

The most popular attire of cult status in western clothing is the western cowboy hat. For many today, it is just another way of being fashionable. But earlier on, they had a variety of functions. It protected the cowboys from the rain and sun, kept a campfire burning, sent signals, smack a horse or give it a drink by filling up the hat with water.

Certain methods are there to maintain the hats. Keep them well to make them retain their shape and durability. While laying it for a short time, rest it upside down on the crown. You can also hang it on a hook so that it does not touch anything. For a longer time, keep it in your hatbox or fit its crown on a cardboard ring.

About the Author: For more info, visit:

outbackleather.com

and see what fine goods they have there like a variety of any type of

black leather hat

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isnare.com

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By Susan Fielding

You have probably seen them in a range of colors and sizes covering anything from cars and trucks, to boats and lumber.

These protective coverings are known as tarps or tarpaulins, which have been in use for well over a century and are available in different types in the market.

When people think of tarps, they often perceive the regular canvas type. However, there are many different kinds of tarps, including steel tarps. The types are polythene (poly) tarps, canvas and mesh, amongst others. The steel tarps are actually not made of steel, but of regular materials like mesh or polythene and used to protect and secure short loads into truck beds.

Poly tarps are made from plastic, and are commonly used for pool and boat covers. They are also used as storage and construction coverings and are ideal when waterproof protection is required.

Canvas tarps on the other hand are made from a natural and synthetic plain weave fabric that is closely woven. The cloth is very firm and used to make awnings, soft luggage or canvas tarps. Tarps made from this material are used for outdoor covering, and can also be used as covers for trucks carrying loads, as they are sturdy and wind resistant.

Mesh tarps comprise of nylon tarp threading, which is weaved to make a screen-like material. Mesh tarps are commonly used for tennis courts, enclosures, visual privacy, site barriers and much more.

Tarps have many practical uses. They are large, strong sheets of fabric that are usually water proof or at least water resistant. They are flexible, and are often coated in latex or plastic, which provides extra strength. Size wise, you can get small squares of fabric measuring a few small feet, and others big enough to cover a football field.

Additionally, some other uses range from covering baseball diamonds during rainstorms, to hauling lumber, and protecting campers from rain. Tarps can be used both as a roof or an extra layer of protection of a tent, or laid out on the ground to keep out the damp.

Overall, tarps can be used for any outdoor event from gardening, to camping and even military uses, and the fact that they are such a large part of many activities, yet their existence and practical usage is sometimes overlooked.

Tarps are made of different materials, and come in different strengths, styles and colors, and despite a wide range in prices, a little bit of shopping around will ensure that there will be one to meet your budget.

About the Author: The Tarps website provides you with further detailed information on tarps and polytarps.

Source: isnare.com

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By A.Caxton

The advantages of Panel track blinds over traditional styles.

Vertical blinds are very popular today, but now there is a new attractive option in the form of panel track blinds. It is just one of the many options available for window treatment, but a very desirable one. Besides affording privacy and protection from the sun, you want your window treatments to add beauty to your home. Vertical blinds, while pretty and functional, can sometimes be a hassle to operate and break easily. Drapes, in the eyes of many, have become old fashioned. Panel track blinds are a new choice that can be considered. The track keeps them in place, so they give the look of verticals without the constant risk of breaking because they are free swinging. They are suited to almost any room and can be found in a variety of materials and construction to suit any budget. You can get almost any look for a room because of the designs available. If you want a romantic look, choose dark blinds; if you want a bright, sunny look, there are many light colors. They are an easier to use alternate to vertical blinds.

Here are some things to consider when deciding on whether you want panel track blinds. If you have a wide expanse fo window, panel track may be the ideal solution, since they can be used to cover as much area as you like. Drapery, on the other hand, would be very costly to use on a large window area. Panel track blinds come in a number of interesting materials, one of which is sure to complement your decorating style. They come in fabric, woven woods, bamboo, yarns and sold woods. Bamboo can add an exotic look, wood a more formal look, and for a bright look that will lighten a room, consider solar sheers. These are made from PVC, polyurethane for fiberglass that has been woven into fabric. The fiberglass can be covered with a vinyl coating. Solar sheers give a room a sleek contemporary look. Panel track blinds are available in a wide range of colors as well as sheer. All of these offer an elegant look to your decorating. But one of the greatest advantages of panel track blinds is their simplicity of use. Combine this with the sleekness and elegance they offer, and they are a beautiful choice for any room. You can choose panel track blinds in colors to match either the walls of the room or the trim around the windows so they blend right in.

Take the time to find the look that is right for you and you will be very pleased with this choice for the beauty and value of your home.

About the Author: Andrew Caxton use to write for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . He provides tips and advice about

panel blinds

as well as on shades, shutters,curtains and other window coverings for many decorating styles

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isnare.com

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