If you've been buying western apparel for any length of time, you've probably noticed that the quality is higher than many of the ready to wear items being marketed to us, and that while certain trends change, western wear is not subject to the same kind of style fluctuation that many other fashion markets are. The reason for this is that western wear, unlike most of the clothing we wear, is designed based on intended use. That's right, use, not looks. In fact, these clothes won't go out of style next season, or even the one after that. Oh no, western wear- cowboy boots, hats, belt buckles and all is here to stay.

As mentioned above, western wear has had such a lasting run because it is designed to be worn hard and washed often. After all, we're talking about cowboys- that would be people who wrangle cows for a living. Cows are not clean animals, nor are their environments. Riding trails, herding animals, even just working on a ranch is all filthy, dirty work; rewarding though it may be. Thick, durable fabrics like denim were necessary if a cowboy was going to be able to still have clothes on his back that were in one piece at the end of a hard ride.

Likewise, cowboy boots developed in response to the new needs of riders on the trail. They needed a pointed toe and a stacked heel for safety and control in the stirrups and a taller shaft made of thick leather to protect their legs. The new boots were designed to last, and as such, were made out of quality materials with features such as stitching that went on the outside of the boot to prevent skin irritation from the stitching rubbing against skin while riding.

Of course, this doesn't explain what western wear is doing on runways or in big cities, where the closest anyone gets to a cow is buying ground beef or wearing a leather jacket. The transition from function to fashion is a completely different story, and to understand a little bit about it, you must examine what it is that cowboy life symbolizes to the average American. Rather than being remembered as tireless work with long hours and little pay, the cattle drives and westward expansion is seen as a symbol of freedom, of a new American way of life. The cowboy is the ultimate man, strong, independent, and living without rules.