5 Questions with Jody Brooks of JW Brooks Custom Hats

5. How do you choose your personal hat?

I plan my show wardrobe for the day around the hat I plan to wear.

Courtesy J.W. Brooks Custom Hats

With regard to my own personal style in the show pen, and obviously because we make custom cowboy hats, I plan my show wardrobe for the day around the hat I plan to wear. So, if my black felt hat looks better with what I’m showing in that day, then that’s what I’ll wear.

4. Shouldn't I wear a Straw in the hot months?

A light colored felt will dress up your look in the hot summer months.

Courtesy J.W. Brooks Custom Hats

I don’t let unofficial “rules” - such as switching to a straw hat in the Summer - factor into my decision making. In my opinion, I just think a felt looks more professional in the show pen no matter how hot it is. Or, if anything, I’ll switch over in the Summer to a light colored felt to show in. I honestly don’t feel like my felt hats feel any hotter to wear than a straw hat anyway and they are definitely more comfortable.

3. What's the hottest hat trends for 2022?

A correctly shaped Lilac- folded and colored hat.

Courtesy J.W. Brooks Custom Hats

Uniquely colored cowboy hats are really hot right now. Traditional colors such as black and chocolate will always be classic but even a lilac-colored hat for example, if shaped properly, can really set you apart and look amazing in the show pen.

2. Will the judges mark me lower with a non-traditional hat?

Hot Pink! Because It's Fun.

Courtesy J.W. Brooks Custom Hats

Don’t be intimated if you want to experiment with color! The judges aren’t judging you on the color of your hat. They will, however, consider a badly shaped hat, or one of poor quality, when you enter the pen. Make that very first impression a good one!

1. Does a custom hat really affect my performance?

There's that extra boost of confidence one gets when wearing something that they feel comfortable in and look their best!

Courtesy J.W. Brooks Custom Hats

Something cool happens when we like how we look - we get an extra boost of confidence, and we can all certainly use that when we are showing horses! I have had so many customers come back and tell me that they wore their new custom hat for the first time and won their class. While I’d like to think our hats have some magical ability, I believe it really comes down to what I said before - it’s that extra boost of confidence one gets when wearing something that they feel comfortable in and look their best! 🎠