History of Western Wear

You don't have to look to far to find out thewater could be found. This is how, allegedly, the
origins of western apparel, whether you listen toname the "Ten Gallon Hat" was born because of
tales of the wild west, watching those old cowboyits ability to hold water.
films or listening to the stars of country music.The early days of Hollywood revived the old
Western wear derives its name from a uniquewest spirit, the cowboy way of life, and sparked
style of the clothes worn by men and women innew interest in western wear across the nation.
the 19th-century American West. It hasGene Autry, John Wayne, and Roy Rogers lit up
undergone many changes since the early days ofcinema screens and those of a certain generation
the Wild West with its open ranges, wagon trains,will never forget our television screens filled
cattle drives, and notorious outlaws. The apparelpopular western series such as Rawhide with
worn by legends of the west such as WyattRowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood), Gunsmoke with
Earp, Billy the Kid, and Wild Bill Hickock is decidedlyDennis Weaver as Chester and Bonanza with
different from most of today's western fashions,Little Joe (Michael Landon) all dressed in western
but it was this era that laid the foundations to theapparel.
western fashion we know and wear today. TheWestern wear became prominent in pop culture
cowboy way was a way of life throughout theduring the 1960's with even the Beatles wearing
American west up until the early 1900s.cowboy boots. Western apparel popularised by
Western apparel got started along with thosethis era included cowboy hats, fashionable cowboy
who were known as cowboys after theboots and jeans, as well as collared shirts
American Civil War. Ranchers in Texas had to findfeaturing designs and patterns.
a market for their large excess stock of cattle.Some of most articulate western wear is the
Meanwhile, on the east coast beef was in shortcustom work created by rodeo tailors such as
supply. Thus, the ranchers drove their cattle northNudie Cohn and Manuel, which is characterised by
to the nearest railroads, for example Fort Worth,elaborate embroidery and rhinestone decoration.
which became a major shipping point for livestockThis type of western wear, popularised by
in 1876. This prompted plans in 1887 for thecountry music performers, is the origin of the
construction of the Union Stockyards about twophrase rhinestone cowboy.
and one half miles north of the Tarrant CountyNashville's country music scene with has kept up
Courthouse. It went into full operation about 1889.the interest in the western fashion industry and
Mexican vaqueros and Americans fleeing the lawthe western way of life, and its artists, with such
also made up a large number of cowboyscountry stars as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and
roaming the untamed west. The attire of theseDwight Yokam all sporting cowboy hats, cowboy
early cowboys was usually very plain and simple.boots and clothing' have heavily influenced the
Full length trousers made of canvas were tuckedwestern wear of today. Sand-blasted jeans,
inside their cowboy boots, allowing them to ridedistressed leather, and ultra-casual dress have
several rough trails before their jeans wore out.become the frontier in modern western apparel;
Shirts of the early cowboy were usually cotton orwhich has become popular with line dancing,
wool, sometimes with simple pin striping, and hadwestern riding, and western fashion together with
no collar. These shirts pulled over their heads withcountry music fans all over the world. Classic
buttons running only partially down the front ofwestern wear is still commonplace in American
the shirt. A bandana was worn to protect theculture.
neck of the cowboy from the elements whileSome western companies focus on maintaining
riding the trail, which was also used as a mask incowboy authenticity in their events, to support
dust storms as well as outlaws using them as are-enactments, staged events, film and theatre.
mask during bank raids and hold ups. A cowboy'sWestern wear ranges from accurate historical
hat was very practical and used for everythingreproductions of pioneer, mountain man, Civil War,
from protecting them from the sun, to providingcowboy and Mexican vaquero clothing to the
them with something to drink out of when freshstylised garments for the show business world.