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Olaf Growald
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Olaf Growald
Kat Dunn
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Shelby Mayfield
Not suggesting it’s a stroke of genius — not even close, mind you — but the lightbulb moment did hit me out of the blue during The American Performance Horseman this past July at Dickies Arena. The thought: Any event at Dickies Arena that features horses and livestock is the New York Fashion Week of the Western world.
In recent years, such events have become both the time and the place to dress to the nines, add a little bling or sauce to your duds, and take some Western fashion risks in the name of self-expression. Like Fashion Week, it’s become a place to set the trends.
“It’s no longer pull out your old pair of boots and buy a hat at a concession stand,” says Rachel Patton, an amateur cutting world champion who’s been attending Fort Worth Western events her entire life.
While the events have gotten bigger — The American Performance Horseman, which featured cutting and reining, filled the arena to the brim — and flashier, this doesn’t mean a Fort Worth attendee should sacrifice authenticity for glitz and glam. This isn’t Vegas, after all.
According to Rachel, it’s a balancing act.
“It’s not the fake rodeo,” she says. “You should ask yourself: Am I wearing the right-shaped cowboy hat? I think authenticity is one of the coolest things about Western fashion. It will never go out of style.”
That said, according to Eva Blanton, also an amateur cutting world champion, one shouldn’t feel like they can’t mix and match and get a little creative if they’re not as steeped in Western culture.
“Even if you’re from the city, you can come to Fort Worth and wear your city stuff and pair it with your Western flair,” Eva says. “You can have a little bit of both. As long as you feel confident and are doing things to represent your authentic self instead of following trends.”
That said, they both agree that one item of clothing is an absolute must if one is to attend a Western event: boots.
We caught up with Rachel and Eva at The American Horseman at Dickies Arena, where they showed us how to dress for the modern West.
Eva Blanton
Olaf Growald
Jacket: Tulip Time in mahogany by Double D
Skirt: Tiered ruffled skirt by Double D
Eva partnered with Double D, who outfitted the cutting champ with items currently in stock and some that have yet to be released.
“I saw the jacket and I had to wear it, and I was like, it’s 100 degrees outside, and I don’t even care because it’s such a stunning jacket.”
Rachel Patton
Olaf Growald
Shirt: DL 1961
Skirt: Western skirt in tobacco by Alemais
Belt buckle: Amateur NCHA Futurity World Champion
Boots: Tan suede custom cowboy boots from Cavender’s
“I’m always going to lean toward classic and timeless, but not necessarily blending in. I want to feel good in what I’m wearing, so comfort’s always the most important thing.”
