Statesman Great Divide Hat Light Cream — Australian western hat, available at House of Hide WA

Where to Buy a Western Hat in Australia: Statesman and Barmah Hats Explained

A good hat is not optional. Not in WA, not at a rodeo, not at a country music festival in September. The question is which one — and in Australia, that question almost always comes down to two brands: Statesman and Barmah.

Both are genuinely Australian. Both have been making hats for decades. Both are completely different products built for different purposes. Here's what you need to know.

Statesman Hats — The Australian Felt Western Hat

Statesman Hats is one of Australia's most respected western and stockman hat makers. Their hats are built in the traditional cowboy and stockman silhouette — felt construction, shaped brim, structured crown — and designed specifically for the Australian climate and the Australian wearer.

What Makes Statesman Different

  • Australian-made and owned — designed and produced in Australia with a long history in the country and western market
  • Felt construction — wool felt for everyday wear; the material moulds gently to your head over time and holds its shape in wind and heat
  • Wide brim options — genuine sun protection, not fashion brim widths. Built for a full day outdoors in Australian conditions
  • Range of crown heights and brim widths — to suit different face shapes, head sizes and styling preferences
  • Colourways suited to Australian styling — silverbelly, sand, black, cream; the tones that work with leather boots and outback settings

Statesman hats are worn by stockmen, rodeo riders and increasingly by women dressing in a western or country lifestyle aesthetic. They're a structured hat — they hold their shape, they look polished, and they photograph beautifully.

Browse the House of Hide Statesman Hats collection.

Wetherby Hat Sand — Statesman western cowboy hat Australia, available at House of Hide

Statesman Hats at House of Hide

Great Divide Hat Light Cream — Statesman wide brim western hat, House of Hide Western Australia

Barmah Hats — Kangaroo Leather Since 1982

Barmah Hats is an Australian institution with a genuinely unique product. Founded in 1982 in the Barmah Forest region of Victoria, the brand built its reputation on a single material that nobody else was using for hats: kangaroo leather.

Why Kangaroo Leather?

Kangaroo hide is one of the most remarkable leathers in the world — and it's uniquely Australian:

  • Pound for pound stronger than cowhide — the fibre structure of kangaroo leather is more uniform and tighter than bovine hide, giving it exceptional tensile strength at a fraction of the weight
  • Naturally water-resistant — the natural oils in the hide repel moisture without additional treatment
  • Lightweight — significantly lighter than a cowhide leather hat of equivalent thickness; you forget you're wearing it
  • Breathable — kangaroo leather breathes better than cowhide in heat, making it genuinely suited to Australian conditions
  • Softens with wear — like all quality leather, it moulds to shape over time

What Makes Barmah Different

  • Founded 1982, Barmah Forest, Victoria — over 40 years of Australian hat-making
  • Exported to 40+ countries worldwide; internationally recognised as a benchmark Australian hat
  • The Squashy range is the most iconic product — rollable, packable hats that return to their original shape after being crushed. Designed for travel, outdoor events and active use
  • Also produces suede leather and fabric styles alongside the kangaroo leather core range
  • The Barmah Squashy hat has become synonymous with the Australian outback aesthetic internationally

Browse the House of Hide Barmah Hats collection.

Barmah 1019BR Sundowner Kangaroo Leather Hat — Australian made, available at House of Hide WA

Barmah Hats at House of Hide

Barmah 1022CC Squashy Bronco Hat Choc — rollable kangaroo leather hat, House of Hide Western Australia

Statesman vs Barmah: Which One?

The honest answer: they do different things.

  • Statesman if you want a structured, shaped western hat that holds its silhouette — for rodeos, events, photos, and days where the hat is part of the outfit
  • Barmah if you want a hat you can throw in a bag, wear all day in the heat, get caught in a shower and not worry about — the working, travelling, everyday hat

A lot of people end up with one of each. That's not a bad outcome.

Styling Western Hats with Cowboy Boots

Hat and boots together is the full western look. A few guidelines:

  • Match the tone, not the colour — warm tan boots with a sand or hickory hat; black boots with a black or silverbelly hat; cream boots with a cream or light felt hat
  • Wide brim hats balance a longer silhouette — a maxi dress or wide-leg jeans with a wide brim reads as intentional, not overdressed
  • A Squashy Barmah with jeans and boots is the WA everyday uniform and will never look wrong
  • A shaped Statesman at a rodeo or event elevates the whole outfit; it signals that the look was considered

Browse the full cowboy boots range to pair with your hat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Statesman hat?
Statesman is an Australian western hat brand producing felt and wool cowboy and stockman hats. Australian-made and designed for the Australian climate, with wide brims, structured crowns, and colourways suited to western and country styling. House of Hide stocks the Statesman range online and in person at WA events.

What is a Barmah hat made of?
Barmah's signature hats are made from kangaroo leather — a uniquely Australian material that is lighter and stronger than cowhide and naturally water-resistant. The brand was founded in 1982 in Victoria's Barmah Forest region and exports to 40+ countries worldwide.

What is the Barmah Squashy hat?
The Barmah Squashy range is the brand's most popular line — rollable, packable hats that return to their original shape after being crushed. Made from kangaroo leather or suede, they're ideal for travel, outdoor events and festivals where a rigid hat isn't practical.

Is kangaroo leather better than cowhide for hats?
For hats specifically, kangaroo leather has real advantages: it's lighter, stronger pound for pound, naturally water-resistant and more breathable in heat. It's also uniquely Australian. For a hat worn in WA conditions, it's an excellent material choice.

Where can I buy Statesman or Barmah hats in Western Australia?
House of Hide stocks both Statesman and Barmah hats online at houseofhide.com.au and in person at events across WA. Browse the Statesman collection and the Barmah collection.

What's the difference between Statesman and Barmah hats?
Statesman makes structured felt western hats — shaped, polished, suited to events and occasions. Barmah makes kangaroo leather hats including the iconic Squashy range — packable, lightweight, suited to everyday and outdoor use. Both are genuinely Australian. They serve different purposes.

What hat goes with cowboy boots?
A western-style hat in a complementary tone — sand, silverbelly, cream or black depending on your boot colour. Statesman for a polished event look; Barmah Squashy for an everyday or festival look. Browse the full cowboy boots range and hat range at House of Hide.

House of Hide — handcrafted leather boots, bags, jackets and accessories, made for Dust & Dreamers.

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