CALGARY - The impact of royalty continues to resonate a year after Prince William and his wife Kate donned cowboy hats during their visit to the Stampede.

The Smithbilt white hats that the royal couple were presented on their visit to Calgary has contributed to booming sales for the company.

And the style with which the Duchess of Cambridge wore hers has created a bit of a fashion trend.

"We got so much mileage out of the pictures of her with that hat on. She looks fabulous — and looks fabulous in everything — but she looked really good wearing that hat," said Bryce Nimmo, the president of Smithbilt Hats.

"It did two things for us. It got our name out and, two, it showed women that you can wear a hat and look good. Women tend to get nervous around hats.

"First of all, they say it's going to wreck their hair and they'll get hat head ... What we do with women is cut their brims down because they don't want to look like 'The Flying Nun.' Women look great in small brims."

There was a big spike in sales of white hats after the royal visit, said vice-president Brian Hanson.

Check out some of our picks for how to get the Calgary look without looking out of place. If you have a Stampede tip, let us know in the comments below or on Twitter.

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  • Cowboy Boots

    The cornerstone of any Stampede outfit. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money -- go vintage and it's win-win for your feet and your pocket. <em>Urban Renewal Vintage Cowboy Boots, $69. Available at <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=17300930" target="_hplink">Urban Outfitters</a></em>

  • Leather Belt

    Perfect with a white t and jeans. And also because, how else will you keep your Wranglers up? <em>Floral Embossed Belt, $49.50. Available at <a href="http://www.luckybrand.com/Floral-Embossed-Belt/LBA01190,default,pd.html?cgid=womensBelts-1&selectedColor=200" target="_hplink">LuckyBrand.com</a></em>

  • Tassel Bag

    Fringe adds instant twang to your outfit. It's true. <em>Ecote Fringed Crossbody Bag, $59. Available at <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23525546&navAction=jump&isProduct=true&parentid=MORE IDEAS&isProduct=true&cross-sell=true&guide-bn=true" target="_hplink">Urban Outfitters</a></em>

  • White Dresses

    This model is already showing you how country is done! Pretty white dress + tough cowboy-looking boots = Stampede perfection. <em>Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren Lace-Trim Slub Jersey Racerback Henley Dress, $68.60. Available at <a href="http://www.thebay.com/eng/womens-dressescontemporary-Lace_Trim_Slub_Jersey_Racerback_Henley_Dress-thebay/245344" target="_hplink">The Bay</a></em>

  • Turquoise Accessories

    Turquoise accessories are timeless and will look great against the tan you'll get from standing in the sun all Stampede long (but you will of course be wearing lots of sunscreen as well, yes?). <em>Multi-Strand Beaded Faux Stone Bracelet, $7.80. Available At <a href="http://canada.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=F21&Category=acc_bracelet&ProductID=1000046533&VariantID=" target="_hplink">Forever 21</a></em>

  • Jorts

    Previously known as jean shorts, this Stampede staple now goes by one name only. Because, true to their form and function, why bother with the unnecessary? <em>Pilcro Stet Roll-Ups, $68. Available at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-pants-shorts/24527350.jsp" target="_hplink">Anthropologie</a> </em>

  • Denim Shirt

    Add some jorts and you've got yourself a fine Canadian tuxedo there, missy. <em>Marshall Classic Fit Denim Shirt, $95. Available At <a href="http://aritzia.com/fashion/tops/marshall-classic-fit-denim-shirt" target="_hplink">Aritzia</a></em>

  • Wranglers

    The classic Stampede jean made modern, skinny and sexy. Not your grandpa's denim. <em>Wrangler Stokes Skinny Jeans, $66.28. Available at ASOS</em>

  • Cowboy Hat

    This rendition of the cowboy hat is perfect for first-timers. You'll want to wear it to the beach, picnics, work long after the Stampede is over. <em>Folded Brim Cowboy Hat, $12.80. Available at <a href="http://canada.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=F21&Category=acc_hat&ProductID=2000042007&VariantID=" target="_hplink">Forever 21</a></em>

  • Button Ups

    For those cooler days. Button it all the way up and you're no nonsense. Roll up the sleeves and they'll know you mean business. Go for an open shirt over tank and who knows what will happen. <em>Studden Denim Button-Ups, $59.99. Available at <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/ca/en/zara-S2012-s/244888/751522/STUDDED%2BDENIM%2BSHIRT" target="_hplink">Zara</a></em>

"Actually we ran out of the material to make them. It was good."

Hanson described the Stampede as "our Christmas." The firm turns out about 20,000 hand-made hats each year and another 50,000 straw models that it brings in from Mexico.

Smithbilt has put out a special centennial version to mark the Stampede's 100th birthday.

"We're doing 100 hats for the anniversary. They're all numbered and certified, they've got the Stampede logo in them as well as ours inside the hat," said Hanson.

"Outside the hat there's a sterling silver buckle on the hatband. It has a hat case with your name on it. It's 100 per cent beaver fur."

The hats are selling for $1,500 and Nimmo said over 40 have already sold.

The biggest seller is the black Smithbilt, but the white hat is an enduring symbol of the city's cowboy culture.

Other people to have been presented with a white hat during a visit to Calgary include Pope John Paul II, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, retired U.S. general David Petraeus, former U.S. president George W. Bush, former British prime minister Tony Blair, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On the entertainment side, add Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Luciano Pavarotti, Tommy Chong and even Ozzy Osbourne.

There are dozens of pictures on the walls of the company's southeast Calgary showroom and factory.

Nimmo isn't worried about business fading, even though the hats are built to last a long time.

"There's a million-plus people in this city. That's a lot of hats. I'm not too worried about running out of customers because there's always more customers.

"The neat thing about the City of Calgary is the white hat symbol. It will keep going forever and ever."