Here’s a costume idea suitable for Halloween, costume and theme parties from around the world, this time from the United States, the cowboy – or, for women, the cowgirl.
Cowboys, although associated with the United States, do not just hail from there. Indeed, they have their origins in the Mexican vaquero and, before that, to Spain. The American cowboys were often cattle wranglers who tended and herded the vast herds of cattle that, for most of the year, were allowed to roam wild. When time came to collect cattle for branding and sale, the ranchers would hold a roundup in which cowboys with specialised skills would participate and collect the cattle, or horses in the case of mustangs.
The modern image of the cowboy has been formed from the old Wild West Shows and then films. Today, it is often associated with that of the gunslinger, even though that was not true at the time. The modern gunslinger image is an offshoot of the traditional cowboy. The cowboy costume is pretty much identical no matter whether it’s a cowboy or cowgirl.
The Head
There is a hat, now known as the cowboy hat, strongly associated with the image of the cowboy. The hat is a distinctive design with a high, rounded crown and a wide flat brim, usually with a small decorative band on the outside. The most well known names are that of the “ten gallon” hat, even though that name did not originate until the 20th century, and the Stetson, named after John B. Stetson.
As well as a hat, a bandanna, a large cotton neckerchief, would often be worn, round the neck when not needed and worn over the nose and mouth to protect the wearer from dust storms.
The Body
On the torso would be worn a simple long sleeved shirt, perhaps checked, made of a tough, hard wearing material. Over this may be worn a leather waistcoat, or vest.
The legs would have close fitting jeans, or other hard wearing trouser, over which would be worn leather chaps, which were leggings with a belt designed to protect the wearer when riding.
The Feet
Cowboy boots are the main footwear. These are a form of riding boot with a high top, pointed toes for fitting in a stirrup and high heels to keep the boot in the stirrup once placed.
Accessories
There are a number of different accessories that a cowboy would have. Even though cowboys are not gunslingers, some sort of gun – a revolver – would be worn for protection in a waist holster of both themselves and their cattle from predators and thieves.
Detachable spurs would be worn on the heel of boots when riding, to help guide the horse.
Another item would be a rope noose or lariat, used to catch animals.
Soft, flexible gloves would commonly be worn to protect the hands from damage.