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Sombrero
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Mexican charro
Mexican charro Mexican charro wearing a poncho and a sombrero.

Sombrero

hat
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Sombrero, broad-brimmed high-crowned hat made of felt or straw, worn especially in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The sombrero, its name derived from the Spanish word sombra, meaning “shade,” first appeared in the 15th century. Gentlemen often wore tan, white, or gray felt sombreros, while peasants wore straw.

In Mexico the brim of the sombrero could be as much as 2 feet (60 cm) wide. Adopted by ranchers and frontiersmen in the United States, the sombrero was modified into the cowboy hat.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Alicja Zelazko.