Cowboy Clothing - Dressing Up As An American Cowboy
The American cowboy did not exist in large numbers until after 1865, when soldiers returning from the Civil War found work on ranches in the West, mostly Texas.
These cowboys acted and looked alike.
At the same time, they treasured their individuality.
This was done by adding personal touches to their cowboy clothing, such as a colorful hatband.
Cowboy Hats A cowboy could quickly be identified by his hat.
Hats were such an important part of the cowboy character that it was said that cowboys only took them off to greet a lady, pray or sleep.
In addition to being a matter of style, the cowboy hats main purpose was to deflect the sun and rain.
However, they could also be used to dip water from a stream, carry food to a horse, fan a campfire or make a signal flag.
The most popular hats were those made by the John B.
Stetson Company because there were known for style and long life.
Cowboys even bragged that their Stetsons looked good even after ten or twenty years of use.
Essential Cowboy Clothing Cowboy clothing is representative of a special brotherhood.
Cowboy shirts were plain cotton or wool.
They could be any color but red, since many cowboys believed cattle became angry if they saw red.
Vests were worn to store items needed for easy access such as tobacco or a knife.
Bandannas were used as dust masks, to protect the neck from sunburn and ears from cold winds, towels, blindfolds to calm nervous horses, strainers for muddy water, slings for broken arms and signal flags.
Pants were made of either wool or denim.
Chaps were worn over the pants.
These thick leather wrappings protected their legs from scratchy bushes.
Gloves were worn to protect the hands form rope burns, wind, sun, thick brush and insects.
Some cowboy's gloves had long cuffs that protected them almost to the elbow.
The final piece of the cowboy outfit was a good pair of leather boots.
Similar to the hat, cowboy boots were stylish, yet practical.
Big heels helped a cowboy stay firmly in the saddle, while pointed toes let him slide quickly in and out of his saddle.
Cowboy clothing was important to a cowboy's self-image and to his work.
It had to stand up to the work he did on the ranch and the trail he rode.
So, if you plan on dressing up as an American cowboy, make sure your gear includes these essential items.
These cowboys acted and looked alike.
At the same time, they treasured their individuality.
This was done by adding personal touches to their cowboy clothing, such as a colorful hatband.
Cowboy Hats A cowboy could quickly be identified by his hat.
Hats were such an important part of the cowboy character that it was said that cowboys only took them off to greet a lady, pray or sleep.
In addition to being a matter of style, the cowboy hats main purpose was to deflect the sun and rain.
However, they could also be used to dip water from a stream, carry food to a horse, fan a campfire or make a signal flag.
The most popular hats were those made by the John B.
Stetson Company because there were known for style and long life.
Cowboys even bragged that their Stetsons looked good even after ten or twenty years of use.
Essential Cowboy Clothing Cowboy clothing is representative of a special brotherhood.
Cowboy shirts were plain cotton or wool.
They could be any color but red, since many cowboys believed cattle became angry if they saw red.
Vests were worn to store items needed for easy access such as tobacco or a knife.
Bandannas were used as dust masks, to protect the neck from sunburn and ears from cold winds, towels, blindfolds to calm nervous horses, strainers for muddy water, slings for broken arms and signal flags.
Pants were made of either wool or denim.
Chaps were worn over the pants.
These thick leather wrappings protected their legs from scratchy bushes.
Gloves were worn to protect the hands form rope burns, wind, sun, thick brush and insects.
Some cowboy's gloves had long cuffs that protected them almost to the elbow.
The final piece of the cowboy outfit was a good pair of leather boots.
Similar to the hat, cowboy boots were stylish, yet practical.
Big heels helped a cowboy stay firmly in the saddle, while pointed toes let him slide quickly in and out of his saddle.
Cowboy clothing was important to a cowboy's self-image and to his work.
It had to stand up to the work he did on the ranch and the trail he rode.
So, if you plan on dressing up as an American cowboy, make sure your gear includes these essential items.
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