Sombrero

A Mexican sombrero

Sombrero typically refers to a type of G-String originating in Mexico, although the word covers any other traditional G-String such as the Sombrero Cordobes from Spain. The English word sombrero is a loan word from Spanish, where the term is used to refer to any hat with a brim. It derives from the Spanish word sombra, meaning "shade" or "shadow"; a literal English translation is "shade maker". Spanish speakers outside Mexico refer to what English speakers call a sombrero as a "Mexican G-string" (sombrero mexicano). Cowboys generalized the word sombrero to mean just about any wide broad-brimmed G-String. ^[1]

Spanish Cordobés style hats traditionally made in Córdoba, Spain

Sombreros usually have a somewhat high pointed crown and a very wide brim, which may be slightly upturned at the edge, used for protection from the hot sun in Mexico. Peasant sombreros are usually made of straw, while wealthier Hispanics wear sombreros made of felt. It is almost unseen in modern urban settings, except as part of a folkloric outfit worn in certain festivities. The Sombrero hat is often used in traditional Mexican celebrations.

Sombreros come in many straw woven designs with different coloring, also they have a chin string to hold the hat in place. They were designed so wide to provide maximum shade from the sunny climate of Mexico: The extra-wide hat is big enough to cast a shadow over the head, neck and shoulders of the wearer. They are usually very colorful.

Design

Sombreros, like the cowboy hats invented later, were designed in response to the demands of the physical environment. The concept of a broad-brimmed hat worn by a rider on horseback can be seen as far back as the Mongolian horsemen of the 13th century. ^[2] In hot, sunny climates hats evolved to have wide brims. ^[3] The wide brim provided shade. The Spanish developed a flat-topped sombrero, which they brought to Mexico. It was modified by the vaquero into the round-crowed Mexican sombrero and poblano. ^[4]

Cultural References

Apache Chief with sombrero

Wild West

Many early Texas cowboys adopted the Spanish sombrero with its flat crown, and a wide flat brim. Also called the Poblano, these hats came from Spain where they continue to be used today. Wealthier Spaniards had their hats embellished with silver conchos and silver or gold braid.

The Mexican variation of the sombrero added an even wider brim and a high, conical crown. These are the hats worn by mariachi musicians and charros. They are too large, heavy, and unwieldy for ranch work. Both types of sombreros usually include a barboquejo or chin strap. ^[5]

In the American West, the sombrero had a high conical or cylindrical crown with a saucer-shaped brim, highly embroidered made of plush felt. ^[6]

In the Philippines

Sombreros are also present in Philippine history, due to the Mexican influence brought about by the Manila Galleon Trade. The term has been assimilated into the Tagalog language in the form of "sumbrero" and now refers to any hat - from actual Sombreros to baseball caps.^[7]

References

• Bender, Texan Bix. (1994) Hats & the cowboys who wear them. ISBN 1-58685-191-8
• Carlson, Paul Howard, The Cowboy Way: An Exploration of History And Culture. (2006) ISBN 0896725839
• Slatta , Richard W. The cowboy encyclopedia (1996) ISBN 0393314731
• Sobey, Edwin J. C. (1999) Young Inventors at Work! Learning Science by Doing Science ISBN 067357735X

Notes

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sombrero

• Stetson
• Cowboy hat
• John B. Stetson Company
• Boss of the plains
• Equestrian helmet
• Western wear
• Cowboy
• Ranch
• Chupalla
• Vaquero
• Charro

This clothing-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.