The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo often picks a theme to showcase something special about the event.
For instance, the 2020 theme of “Dream It. Do It.” celebrated the rodeo’s move to Dickies Arena.
“Show Life” in 2023 reflected the life of kids who raise and show livestock and rodeo competitors.
For 2026, the theme of “Always A Perfect Fit” is a nod to the comfort the show brings from things familiar like the host city of Fort Worth and 23 days of fun. It’s akin to the comfort you feel wearing an old pair of blue jeans or a favorite cowboy hat.
When it comes to cowboy hats, there are few things to know about finding the perfect fit.
“Our goal is to have a hat that fits everyone. It fits their personality. It fits their frame, and we want them to feel good, look good, and feel important when they come into our store to see us,” said Aaron Gaiser, general manager at Kemo Sabe.
The high-end western wear store is back for a second year with a pop up shop in the Fort Worth Stockyards whle the stock show is in town.
Shoppers come in to get rodeo ready and find the perfect hat. Gaiser likes to say, “We didn’t invent the cowboy hat, we just made it a little bit cooler.”
The pricey Kemo Sabe hat has been called the most famous hat in the world, but whether it’s here or somewhere else, there are a few basic things to know.
Let’s start with how to put it on.
“You don’t want to see anyone walking around with their hat on backwards. So we’re here to help educate and make sure that you leave with the right sized hat,” Gaiser said.
“The way you will always know if your hat’s on backwards, this should always go in the back,” Gaiser said as she pointed to stitching.
“So, if you always take your hat on and off by the crown, it’ll always be on right. What people do is they like to look at the hat, they like to take it, and then somehow it always ends up on backwards. If you are handling it properly, you will never put it on backwards.”
Gaiser says the brim length is important for a perfect fit especially for women. It’s not a one-size fits all.
“We’re not having you wear a five and a half inch brim because you’re not a six foot tall man. And, so we brought the brim down to fit you instead of a one size fits all brim,” Gaiser said.
And, if it feels like the hat is about to blow off walking down the street or you’re holding it down with your hand, then it’s the wrong fit.
Gaiser says customers come in with hats bought elsewhere and her team is ready to help them get a perfect fit.
“So our goal is for you not to leave in the wrong size hat but if you do have the wrong size hat, there are some tricks with the trade,” Gaiser said. “We can snug them up.We can help them fit a little better.”
Kemo Sabe started in Aspen in 1990, but there’s a Texas connection.
It’s hats are made in Gainesville, about an hour or so north of Dallas-Fort Worth. Kemo Sabe’s line of boots are made in El Paso.
The pop up shop at 128 E. Exchange Ave, Suite 570 is open Wednesday – Sunday, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. It will be open until Sunday, Feb. 1.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
