What Should I Look For When Purchasing from a Western Apparel Store?

People's admiration for those dressed in western style is rooted in antiquity and tradition. These clothes and accessories started out to support those that toiled in the fields, in the elements. Today, though some still live that lifestyle, western fashion has become open to the masses.

You don’t have to admire it from afar, even if you’ve never actually been on horseback. You can create a western slant for your wardrobe with a little help from an experienced western apparel store.

If you feel drawn to the western aesthetic, go ahead and update your wardrobe with some new western-inspired garments and accessories. If you need to start from scratch with your wardrobe, a trip to a western apparel store is an excellent starting point.

A store like ours, which specializes in this type of clothing, is the best place to get everything you need to dress in a western style. We carry a huge range of top brands including but not limited to Wrangler, Ariat, Cinch, Kimes Ranch, Justin, and many others. With over 4,000 pairs of western boots in stock, and countless western hats, jeans, shirts, and other accessories, we’re Michigan’s biggest-and-best western apparel store, and your one-stop shop for all things western.

In this post, we’ll cover the essentials of what you need to cut a western caper, whether for work or play.

What to Keep in Mind When Shopping For Cowboy Apparel

You want to maximize your time, money, and wardrobe space while shopping for western wear. So, with that in mind, here are some suggestions for how to achieve that goal. In order to get the most use out of your western clothing purchases, it's best to invest in high-quality pieces from reputable manufacturers.

Investing early in versatile, multipurpose essential pieces is also recommended. With these pieces in your closet, you can easily construct a wide variety of stylish and at ease-in-your-own-skin outfits. You need unmistakable, high-quality components that can't be replicated anywhere.

You should make the most of your time spent in a western apparel store by purchasing high-quality items that will make you look fashionable and could last a long time. If you're in the market for some new western wear, these are the items we'd recommend most highly.

Western Hats

No western ensemble, for a man or woman, is complete without a western style hat. These are recognizable by their wide, round brims and high crowns and are available in a wide range of styles. We carry western hats from Stetson (the company that pioneered the design) as well as Bullhide, Resistol, and others.

Traditionally, western hats were made from felted fur or wool. Many high quality western hats still are today. We carry these as well as leather and straw western style hats. In addition to being a terrific fashion accessory that can make any outfit stand out, a lightweight wide-brimmed hat like Resistol Hats is an essential piece of summer sun protection gear. They can keep the harsh summer sun off of your face, neck and shoulders, and glare out of your eyes.

Jeans and Shirts

Two of the staples of a western wardrobe are a crisp button-down shirts in the western style, such as our collection of  Ariat’s Men's Western Shirt styles, and a pair of durable jeans.

Often, western style shirts contain an embroidered western motif and will be richly colored in southwestern colors: turquoise, pink, and orange are common, as are earth tones. They also tend to feature snap buttons and a western-style yolk across the back, along with long shirttails that stay tucked in while wrangling and riding. Jeans are typically roomy and comfortable while remaining protective.

These are also fantastic additions to your collection as they are versatile and may be worn for many different events. These things can be seen in a western apparel store, showing customers how simple it is to transition to western fashion.

Cowboy and Cowgirl Boots

One further item of western garb that has achieved iconic status is the cowboy boot. Cowboy boots are an indomitable, irremovable symbol of the Wild West and the individualism of the frontiersmen and settlers. Finding the design that complements your personal taste when wearing these boots is incredibly exciting

You have complete freedom to make them as basic or intricate, formal or informal, as you see fit. While some are designed to be worn during fancy events like parties, others are built for working in the the most unforgiving conditions and inhospitable environments.

These boots have such a strong brand identity that they may completely transform your looks in an instant. We carry highlights from Ariat, Justin, Dingo, Dan Post, Laredo, Double H, Twisted X, and several others.

Most importantly, when you’re looking for a western apparel store, be sure to pick one that offers the necessary supporting services.

Case in point: cowboy boots can be downright tough to break in. We offer not only boot fitting services, but also stretching and break-in with each purchase - all the more reason to visit us in-store.

Western Accessories

The finishing touches of an ensemble are often the accessories. The addition of just one or two pieces can make your ensemble appear more polished and put-together. You can accessorize your casual or western attire with some easily recognizable items that are associated with a western way of life.

Belt buckles with distinctive engraved designs and high-quality leather belts are a few of these popular western accessories. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors, allowing you to select some for any event, attire, or state of mind. We also carry vests, gloves, western ties, and show wear, in our collection of western accessories.

The best western wear shops will have a large variety of accessories from which to choose, allowing you to create an infinite number of variations and looks. Select some and begin experimenting with different combinations of your new wardrobe items. We appreciate it when folks put their own spin on western wear and make it their own.

Choose some new pieces for your wardrobe from Jackson's Western Store and revel in your newly revitalized sense of style.

Or better yet, come visit us in Wayland, Michigan, and experience the difference a true western apparel store can make on your wardrobe.