Western Costume Ideas

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About Western

"Go West, young man!" was the cry heard nationwide as the United States looked to expand from its original 13 colonies, stretching their borders westward, swallowing up territory moving towards the Pacific Ocean under the banner of Manifest Destiny. This trend began in 1839 with Texas declaring itself independent from Mexico and possibly becoming annexed to the United States. Then, the Gold Rush of 1849 sent settlers further west to California to mine for the precious metal. During these days, people lived off the land and gunslingers of all types -- lawful and lawless -- roamed the untamed plains, giving birth to the term "Wild Wild West." Gangs of cowboy gunslingers including Frank and Jesse James along with rival lawmen, Wyatt Earp and his brothers fought each other for turf. The Wild West is still glamourized, thanks in part to movies like "Tombstone" and many a John Wayne film, and the HBO series, Deadwood.

Dressing up Western

Costume yourself as any one of the colorful characters of the Old West. Don a coonskin cap and dress as hero of the Alamo and statesman, Davy Crockett. Outfit yourself as lawman Wyatt Earp with a Gunslinger costume and maintain order in your local saloon. Ladies can dress up as a saloon girl or as the pint-sized wonder with a gun, Annie Oakley, a member of Buffalo Bill Cody's traveling Wild West show.