The cowboy hat is a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat best known as the defining piece of attire for the North American cowboy. Today it is worn by many people, and is particularly associated with ranch workers in the Western United States, the Midwestern United States, the Southern United States, Western Canada and Northern Mexico, with many country music, regional Mexican and Sertanejo music[a] performers, and with participants in the North American rodeo circuit. It is recognized around the world as part of traditional Old West apparel.