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What Elements Make a Western Shirt?

Authenticity is as important to you as it is to us. Being who you truly are is critical, so why can't your clothing reflect that too? Finding the elements of a Western shirt that mark its authenticity may be tough, but navigating the various brands and trends, styles and fashions can be overwhelming. We simplify it for you so your clothing can be a testament to your hard-working lifestyle at work or kicking back, as well as a representation of who you are and what you believe in.

Western Shirt Materials and Patterns

Traditionally, and especially in the 1940s, men’s and women’s Western shirts featured gingham, paisley, and plaid patterns. The fabrics at that time were usually chambray or denim. Today, Western shirts can come in all sorts of plain weave fabrics with similar heft, or dazzling embroidery and patterns sure to turn a head or two.

Materials such as denim were common, as originally denim was higher quality, more rugged and durable for cowboys and cowgirls working the ranches.

Choices in materials have grown over the years and there are now many options for cowboys and cowgirls alike. Cotton, linen, polyester, and cotton blends, and of course, traditional denim for that authentic cowboy touch.

Other Common Features of Western Shirts

There are other features beyond the materials and patterns that make Western shirts easily recognizable. When cowboys and cowgirls look for new Western wear, these are the features that make Western shirts stand out:

• Western yoke
• Stitching
• Longer shirt cut
• Distinctive collar
• Smile pockets or two front-flap pockets
• Button-down or snap collars, pockets, and cuffs
• Piping along the Western yoke, pockets, cuffs, and collar.
• Embellishments: Pearl snaps, rhinestones, star-shaped, diamonds, embroidery, or fringe

The Western Yoke

Western shirts are a cowboy tradition. What sets them apart is how versatile the shirt can be. Workwear or formal wear, or both, the Western shirt has seen it all and can do it all. The first, generally most noticeable element of a Western shirt is its yoke on the front and the back.

A yoke is a pattern piece that forms a part of the classic Western shirt. The yoke almost always sits around the neck and shoulders. Yoke usage was first spotted in the 19th century and is still as much of cowboy tradition now than it was then.

Western yokes are curved, coming to one or more points as opposed to a straight stitch you'll find on common everyday shirts. Work yoke stitching may be plain, done in contrasting colors, while a dress Western shirt yoke stitching can be elaborate with embroidery of Western motifs along with it.

Western Saddle Stitching

Saddle stitching is a trademark stitch type found on a lot of Western shirts. Saddle stitching is an overcasting method that stitches two pieces of the shirt material together for a result that looks almost like cross-stitching. This stitch is highlighted to stand out by using bright, contrasting thread colors. Saddle stitching adds that unmistakable character to every Western shirt.

Longer Cut

A true Western shirt, whether vintage or modern, features a longer length than most shirts. The longer lengths began roughly in the 1900s to help prevent the shirt from becoming untucked when horseback riding or doing good old-fashioned coal mining and during a drive or roundup.

Western Collar

Vintage and vintage-inspired Western shirts will most often feature a distinctively shaped, larger collar that can be buttoned down or snapped down in place. Cowboys and cowgirls used these collars in rough weather. Rolling a collar up could keep a cowgirl warmer in winter and help a cowboy keep the rain from rolling down onto his clothes. These distinctive collars have stood the test of time and can still be seen in both rugged, everyday cowboy shirts and modern, classy dress shirts.

Pockets With Piping

Distinctive to the Western shirt has always been its flap pockets or smile pockets on the chest. Smile pockets, named for their curved, angled opening can usually be defined by piping at the border usually ending in a distinct arrow point. Either one or two flap pockets on every shirt offered important storage for any numerous supplies a cowboy needed day to day, especially from the mid to late 1800s.

Today, smile pockets are elaborate decorations for more formal wear, while snap closure and button closure pockets are functional.

Button-Down and Snap Elements

Snaps along the cuffs, collars, and pockets are still a characteristic used on Western shirts to this day. Pearl snaps were the most commonly used, but now you can find all and every material you desire for snaps, to functional steel, brass—and even rhinestones for added shine. It isn't uncommon for a Western shirt to feature five or more snaps along the cuff.

Decorative Piping

Piping around the Western yoke, front pockets, cuffs, and collars are a staple of vintage and vintage-inspired Western shirts. Piping is a type of trim or embellishment that's made of a strip of folded fabric to form a "pipe," inserted into a seam to define the edges or style lines of a Western shirt. Western shirts often use contrasting fabric, or even leather, to highlight and bring a touch of the classic Old West.

Cowboy Shirt Embellishments

Rhinestones, appliques, fringe, and elaborate embroidery are all popular additions to traditional and modern Western shirts. Some choose star-shaped cuff snaps, some add diamond studs, and others choose to keep it simple with the pear design. Cowboy shirt embellishments may range from flowers to skulls, to guitars, wrangling ropes, fringe, or even dice. Fringe decorations on Western shirts can range from genuine leather to faux or string. These are opportunities to express yourself, and it’s all about your own personal sense of style.

Embroidered scrollwork, simple designs, and traditional Western motifs add a touch of personality to everyday Western shirts. The most impressive Western shirts for women can feature beautiful and delicate embroidery that stands out from everyday Western shirts. Intricate floral designs can be found in many vintage and modern women's Western shirts.

Stages West is dedicated to recreating the vintage Old West look as well as outfitting any modern cowboy with today's latest Western trends, comfort, and style. Now that you're all ready to wrangle yourself a new Western shirt, why not check out our Western wear fashion tips for cowgirls and cowboys? Find your authentic self with Stages West in no time!