Question:
We're off to stay on a dude ranch in Wyoming for a few days in July. The
question is what does one normally wear? Certainly not what we wear in
the UK - jodhpurs and a hard hat. Has anyone got any advice please.
Answer:
You'll find some great stores out there selling the whole outfit, but for
starters...jeans cut high in the back, a rodeo shirt with a long back and
sculpted yoke, a pair of proper cowboy boots and a hat. Buy them out there -
just go out a day early and shop in Jackson Hole. The top name in boots is
(spelling dodgy) Luchesi. Expect to pay around $200 - $500 (US) for the
boots but they'll last a lifetime, partly because they'll be so damn
uncomfortable when out of the saddle! My rodeo shirt is a Wrangler, and has
lasted two years without fraying. The genuine articles are tough. Gloves
should be leather rather than silly woollen ones with rubberised palms (yes,
I know they work). Once you've bought everything, rough it up a little,
preferably by running over it all with a car (except the hat!).
Well, it really depends on how much money you want to spend. You can
buy a perfectly serviceable pair of riding boots at any western wear store
for under £40. It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on something
you'll only wear for a few days, IMO.
Here's a link to Shepler's, who have stores all over the U.S. I bought
a pair of black western boots with riding heels there for about £55.
http://www.westernwear.com/
There's an old cowboy story about boots -- a cowboy who wears trousers
covering his boots is said to have all of his cows paid for. If he wears
his boots outside his trousers (which we Yanks call pants), it means that
none of his cattle are paid for. One boot out, one boot in, means that half
of his cattle are paid for! Generally, though, keep your trousers on the
outside of your boot tops.
As far as trousers go, blue jeans are de rigueur. At the moment, and
this is subject to change, Wrangler brand jeans are more in favor with real
cowboys than Levi's. Actually, any pair of blue denim pants that will fit
OVER your boots will work. You may notice some of them are labelled "boot
cut." Also, for riding, Wrangler makes pants that are called "relaxed fit;"
makes it easier to mount and dismount as they are cut a bit more generously
in the seat.
You can go crazy buying blouses; anything will probably work, although
you'll have a great variety of western-cut blouses to choose from in
Wyoming. Long-sleeved will be a good idea as Wyoming can get cold at night.
Hard hats can be worn riding; most western riders (other than children)
don't, however.
