• SombrerosImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of k4dordy
  
  

The Sombrero is Typical of Mexico

• FestivitiesImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of k4dordy
  
  The sombrero is typical of Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it is common to see people wearing this type of headgear.
  
  

Sombreros Can Be Plain or Fancy

• Farmers Wear SombrerosImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Thomas Quine
  
  They are worn by farmers for shade in the hot sun. Mexican musicians also wear sombreros as part of their costumes. When you think of Mexico, you may often picture a man wearing a poncho and a colorful sombrero.
  
  

Material

• Plain SombreroImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Miguel Vaca
  
  Sombreros are typically made of straw or felt. They may be plain, or they can be decorated with silk embroidery, threads, and velvet, depending on the reason they are worn.
  
  

Sombreros Are Worn For Protection

• Sombreros are a popular means of protecting one's head, neck, and shoulders from the hot sun, which beats down upon people who work outdoors.
  
  

Sombreros and Noble Riders

• Some say that the sombrero originated in Guadalajara, where noble riders of fine horses wore them as a symbol of masculinity. They rode fast, with their brightly colored sombrero remaining in place with the chinstrap.