Stock show fashion
The ’90s are back?! Rodeo Team members share fashion tips
story by Allison Sylte
published Jan. 4, 2023
The National Western Stock Show is almost here, and anyone who’s ever been before knows it’s not just an agricultural event: There’s also plenty of fashion involved.
Since not all of us can naturally rock Western wear as well as Colorado State University legend Temple Grandin, SOURCE reached out to members of the CSU Rodeo Team for their stock show style tips.
Read their advice below, and if the stock show has you excited to see rodeo year-round, be sure to check out what Colorado State’s historic team is up to on its website at colostaterodeo.com.
When it comes to Western fashion, simple is better
Sarah Reynolds, a senior equine science major and noncompeting member of the CSU Rodeo Team, says to focus on picking up some simple clothing items to start and expanding from there.
“You really can’t go wrong with jeans, boots, a nice blouse or Western sweater, and maybe some turquoise jewelry,” she said. “When I think of the girls on the rodeo team, we all have our individual styles, but we all love collared button-ups known as rodeo shirts. These can dress up any outfit.”
Rodeo team member and senior environmental and cultural economics major Sadie Johnson says Western fashion often toes the line between functional and fashionable – meaning Carhartt can go well with flashier items.
“The stock show’s a really unique rodeo because there’s anything from super upscale Western to your everyday punchy, functional ranchwear fashion, so you really can’t go wrong with what you wear because there’s such a diverse group of attendees,” she said.
One thing they both agreed upon? Shop local when you can.
Invest in some good boots
Both Johnson and Reynolds said if there’s one thing dedicated stock show attendees should do, it’s buy a good pair of cowboy boots.
“The thing that changes the least from year-to-year is footwear, so try and buy a really solid pair of boots that will last you forever,” Johnson said.
Reynolds added: “Find something with a nice style that fits you really well. You’ll be walking around in them a lot.”
The ’90s are back
Johnson said that she’s noticing the return of ’90s Western fashion, which means cool, colorful vests and even denim on denim (but hopefully not this look).
“I think there’s really a big push for that rustic, Western culture,” she said. “The vintage denim, distressed denim, Canadian tuxedo, stuff like that is coming back. I think people are trying to recapture some of the essence that was in the 20th century.”
And while the ’90s might be back, Johnson cautioned against anything too flashy.
“Fringe is out, rhinestones are moving out of the ensemble, and so are really, really sparkly clothes – we’re seeing velvet in place of that,” she said.
It’s really all about the confidence
With all of this being said, Reynolds added that it’s really the attitude that defines Western fashion.
“You really have to find what you like and what looks good on you – if you’re confident, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks,” she said.
But really … confidence aside, is there anything you flat out shouldn’t wear to the stock show?
“Probably shorts,” Reynolds said. “It’s January and pretty cold out, and you can’t avoid going outside. Shorts would just be uncomfortable.”