Cowboy Hats and More

Ever since I was a young boy I have wanted to be like one of those Australian Outback heros I used to see in the movies. Those guys were so cool. They really made me want to wrestle kangaroos and round up wombats. As I grew older I realized it wasn’t likely I would ever be one of these heros. Instead, I was destined to live out my existence here in good old Indiana.

Don’t get me wrong, America is a great place and I love to live here, but even as an adult I desire the wide-open spaces of Australia. You may not believe this, but I have figured out a way to play make believe that I am in Australia without leaving my stark Indianpolis apartment. All I had to do was buy a couple outback hats. Whenever I put on these hats I am instantly trasported to the glorious Australian desert. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my fantasy that I don’t even hear the wail of the sirens outside and the baby upstairs ceases to cry.

Without a doubt, the two actors who defined the Western film genre were John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.  Before these two hit the silver screen, the Western was only an idea in the backs of director’s minds.  John and Clint brought the Western to life with their portrayal of memorable characters in films like The Shootist and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  Though Clint Eastwood is still alive and has since acted in and directed a number of great films beyond his Western days, John Wayne stands immortalized in bronze at the John Wayne Airport and in the hearts of millions of Americans. 

The apparel that these two wore in their films, including the traditional western hat, cowboy boots, and leather jacket has been celebrated as a central part of American culture.  While you can argue that most of America’s was popularized in other countries before it was here, the Western aesthetic began in Spain, but was made famous by America. 

Who hasn’t wanted to dress up like a cowboy at least once every so often?  Even if it’s just the cowboy hat, it’s nice to revive that classic Western look now and then.  I had this same idea at my work, and for so long we had a Hawaiian shirt day, that I wanted to mix it up with Western apparel.  It turns out my boss loved the idea, so we ended up having our entire department in cowboy apparel.  I was looking slick in my leather cowboy hat and chaps.  I also wore cowboy boots with real spurs (that managed to get stuck in a rug somewhere!). 

There were a few people from the department who even ordered custom cowboy hats for the occasion.  Though they didn’t wear much other than that, I think because of the hats alone they were the best dressed.  I’d encourage anyone who likes to have a little fun around the office to propose Western day to your managers!