Believe it or not, western wear giant Wrangler, at some point in time, commissioned a study on western culture. Dubbed the Wrangler Western Index, the study essentially indicated that there are two types of people in the world: the true cowboys and those who wish they were. The research revealed that nearly half of all women would like to be cowgirls for at least a day, while three out of five men would like to be cowboys for at least a day. Given the iconic status of the classic American cowboy, the results of Wrangler's study should not be all that surprising.



So let's say that you've been given the opportunity to become a cowboy/cowgirl for a day. Perhaps you're actually heading out to the range, or maybe to the town rodeo. Maybe you're planning a western-style vacation to a dude ranch, or the like. Or maybe you're just going to the George Strait concert. Either way, you'll want to be as authentic as possible, so you'll need to know how to properly adorn yourself in western apparel. Here are a few tips to help you out:

-Real cowboys and cowgirls have to have western wear that works (or plays) as hard as they do. This means that they require a wardrobe of rugged jeans, durable shirts, sturdy cowboy boots, some good quality hats, and any number of accessories like belt buckles, chaps, or bolos.

-As far as cowboy boots go, most cowboys wear round-toed boots as opposed to the pointy-toed ones. Rounded toes tend to be more comfortable, which is extremely important to working or rodeo cowboys who tend to spend a good deal of time on their feet and in the saddle.

-A black felt cowboy hat is appropriate for fall and winter, and a straw hat can be worn during the warmer months.

-A properly placed cowboy hat is essential. The hat should never be worn on the back side of the head with the brim facing up. Real cowboys slant their hats forward and wear them snug on their foreheads.

-Keep in mind that western-style shirts are heavily starched and almost always 100% cotton. They come in a seemingly infinite variety of solids, stripes, plaids, and denims, usually with a western yoke and pearl snap buttons. Western shirts should always be long sleeved.

-The unwritten rules of western wear dictate that blue jeans should be heavily starched with a center crease. Cowboys buy them an extra 4 inches long so they stack on the heels of their cowboy boots.