He doesn't wear a costume. That’s the first thing you have to understand about Taylor Sheridan. When you see him slide into a scene in Yellowstone as Travis Wheatley, or when he’s standing behind a camera at Bosque Ranch, that taylor sheridan cowboy hat isn't some prop pulled out of a dusty Hollywood wardrobe trailer.
It’s real. It’s dirty. And it’s probably worth about three thousand dollars.
Sheridan is famously obsessive about authenticity. He once told an interviewer that he spent years watching Westerns where the hats looked like they’d just been pulled out of a box from a party supply store. He hated it. He hated the way they sat high on the head. He hated the lack of "character." So, when he started building the Yellowstone universe, he didn’t just hire a costume designer; he went to the actual makers who supply the working cowboys in Texas and Colorado.
The American Hat Company Connection
If you want the exact brand Sheridan wears, look no further than the American Hat Company (AHC). Based out of Bowie, Texas, they’ve been the "official" hat of his Bosque Ranch since 2022.
But here is the catch. You can't just walk into a Cavender's and ask for "The Sheridan."
Most of what Taylor wears starts as an open-crown felt—usually in a 40X or 100X quality—often in a color called Silverbelly or Natural. From there, it gets a custom shape that has become his signature. It’s a very specific, aggressive Texas style. The crown is usually a West Texas Punch or a variation of a "Brick" crease. It’s tall. It’s bold. It says, "I own this dirt."
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The brim is where it gets interesting. While many modern cowboys like a "taco" shape with the sides curled tight, Sheridan usually keeps his flatter with a slight "U" or a gentle dip in the front and back. It looks functional. It looks like it’s actually meant to keep the sun off your neck while you’re cutting cattle, which is exactly what he does in his "spare" time.
Why Greeley Hat Works Matters Too
Before the AHC partnership went global, Sheridan worked closely with Trent Johnson at Greeley Hat Works in Colorado. Johnson is basically the wizard of the hat world. He’s the guy who crafted the iconic lids for Kevin Costner’s John Dutton and Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler.
Sheridan and Johnson spent weeks figuring out how a hat should "live" on an actor's head. They didn't just pick a style; they looked at where the actor would grab the brim to take it off. They’d rub actual dirt into the felt. They’d steam it, beat it, and sand it down until it looked like it had survived a decade of Montana winters.
If you see Sheridan in older photos, he’s likely sporting a Greeley. These aren't mass-produced items. They are built on vintage equipment, some of it over 100 years old.
What kind of "X" are we talking about?
People get weirdly competitive about the "X" factor in cowboy hats. Usually, it refers to the percentage of beaver fur mixed into the felt.
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- 6X or 10X: This is your standard "Friday night at the rodeo" hat. It’s durable, but it’s mostly rabbit.
- 40X to 100X: This is where Sheridan plays. These hats are weather-resistant, soft to the touch, and can be reshaped a thousand times without the felt breaking down.
- 1000X: This is pure belly hair of the beaver. It feels like silk. It’s also the price of a used Honda Civic.
Honestly, Sheridan isn't wearing a 1000X out in the branding pen. He's a 100X guy—high quality, but still a tool meant for work.
How to Get the Taylor Sheridan Look Without Looking Like a Poser
If you’re trying to replicate the taylor sheridan cowboy hat vibe, don't buy a pre-creased hat. That’s the biggest mistake people make.
Buy an open crown (it looks like a giant dome) and find a professional shaper. Tell them you want a "West Texas" style with a 4.25-inch or 4.5-inch brim. The height of the crown is key—Sheridan likes it tall. If the crown is too short, you look like an urban cowboy. If it’s too tall and you’re a short guy, you look like a cartoon character.
A real shaper will look at the shape of your face before they touch the steamer. If you have a long, narrow face, they’ll adjust the "pinch" so it doesn't make your head look like a pencil.
The "Aged" Secret
Sheridan's hats always look "salty." That’s ranch-speak for worn-in.
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You can’t fake this with a spray bottle. Some guys use sandpaper on the edges of the brim. Others literally drop their hat in the dust and stomp on it. Sheridan’s hats look authentic because he actually rides. He sweats in them. He works in them. The oils from his hands transfer to the brim every time he tips it, creating that dark, weathered patina that money can’t buy.
Basically, if you want your hat to look like Taylor Sheridan's, you need to go outside and do something difficult while wearing it.
Actionable Next Steps for the Aspiring Cowboy
If you're serious about getting a "real" hat and not just a souvenir, follow this path:
- Skip the mall. Go to a dedicated Western outfitter like Best Hat Store in Fort Worth or visit the American Hat Company headquarters if you're in Texas.
- Invest in Felt. If you want the Sheridan look, buy a felt hat, not a straw. Natural or Silverbelly are the most versatile colors.
- Find a Master Shaper. This is 90% of the battle. Ask for a "West Texas Punch" or a "Brick" crease. Be specific about the brim—keep it relatively flat with a slight "working" curve.
- Avoid the "Yellowstone" Logo. Don't buy the licensed merchandise with the "Y" on it. Taylor Sheridan doesn't wear a hat that says Yellowstone. He wears a hat that belongs on a ranch.
The goal isn't to look like you're in a costume. The goal is to look like you just stepped off a horse at Bosque Ranch.
Expert Insight: Remember that a high-quality felt hat is an investment. A 100X American Hat Co. lid will literally last your entire life if you take care of it. Just don't leave it on the dashboard of your truck in the Texas summer, or you'll come back to a $1,000 piece of warped bacon.