Western Clothing: A Quick Rundown

Western Clothing: A Quick Rundown

Western dress is intrinsically related to the history of the United States. The iconic appearance of Western apparel now maintains true to its illustrious heritage, from cowboy boots to the classic hat. No matter how promoted or embellished, every pair of denim jeans or designer boots bears testament to a way of life created from the toil and craftsmanship of 19th and 20th-century cobblers, shoemakers, and tailors, and cowboys.

The Original Cowboy Boots

Following the Civil War, many American settlers relocated west in quest of new territory and a better way of life. While wearing military-issued Calvary boots, Wellington boots, and other low-heeled shoes, it became evident that these options would not withstand extended days in the field. The first work boots on sale built to resist the rigors of the working cowboy were stitched in Coffeyville, Kansas, in the early 1870s. Cuban heels bolstered arches, and round toes kept these boots from slipping through the massive stirrups. By 1879, a new name had emerged on the cowboy boot scene: H.J. “Joe” Justin. Justin’s boots immediately became a popular choice throughout Western America as he was the first to allow mail ordering for his footwear. As the popularity of these boots grew throughout the twentieth century as a result of movies, literature, theater, and country music, larger companies arose to fulfill the rising demand. Ariat, a well-known and trusted name in Western wear, was one of these in the 1990s.

Denim Jeans or Waist-High Overalls 

Simultaneously with the creation of cobbled cowboy boots, Jacob W. Davis, a tailor in Nevada, filed to Levi Strauss for a patent for small copper rivets to reinforce the seams and pockets of his waist-high overalls. Because Davis had been successfully producing these rivets for miners, Levi Strauss realized the commercial potential of the rivets and decided to collaborate with Davis. Though they began with hemp sailcloth for work pants, they later switched to cotton serge de Nimes, also known as denim.

 

Denim pants were used by blue-collar laborers, ranchers, and cowboys by the 1890s. These, too, were adopted into mainstream media venues, leading to an overabundance of “dude cowboys.” These men were typical city people who wanted to experience “genuine” cowboy life. These men would vastly improve the appeal of the western style outfits if they wore high-quality boots, denim pants, and hats. Country music musicians who built their careers on the classic cowboy singing style adorned the pants with rhinestones and sequins in the 1950s. Denim pants have become an essential piece of clothing for billions of people throughout the world.

The Original Cowboy Hat

Following in the footsteps of Mexican vaqueros (cowboys in Spanish), American and European settlers began to dress in a vaquero manner. Everything the vaqueros wore was useful, from their massive sombreros to their towering white cowboy boots and leather chaps to their large hats. The hat was one of the items that American cowboys adopted from their European counterparts.

Conclusion

While we often identify Western clothes with satin shirts adorned with fringe and rhinestones, actual cowboys wore more utilitarian garments designed for usefulness and longevity rather than show. While the old Western films that we still watch today may have popularized them for the rest of us, these rugged clothing were genuinely designed for a hard life in the elements.