Western Wear in the West's Most Western Town

by Heather

Scottsdale bills itself as the "West's Most Western Town" and that holds true when it comes to western wear. I've read a couple of fashion articles recently saying that the western look is coming back in style, but here in the Southwest, cowboy hats and boots have always been okay whether or not you have the horse to go with them.

The entrance to WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ -- not too far from where I live and the venue for such events as the Arabian Horse Show, the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, AZ Motorcycle Week, and AZ Polo Club matches.

Two years ago I invested in custom-made black and white cowboy boots to match my black and white Harley Softail Deluxe motorcycle (see 11/16/12 post for bike pictures). Remember the Bon Jovi song lyrics, "I'm a cowboy,on a steel horse I ride"? Well, as an asphalt cowboy, I was pretty sure I needed these boots and even had rubber soles put on so I would have good traction. Big problem: the young man helping me with the order told me to go up a half size, rather than down a half size which is what their website says. Wore the boots once or twice but felt that I was walking around in clown feet so they were banished to storage and are finally, this week, making their way to a second-hand shop. I tried to give them away to my friends but nobody wanted them. Mmmm, that tells me something.

 

What's really funny about these boots is when I'm riding, the side flap flies up and they look a little like Dumbo, the flying elephant.

This past fall, I took up country line dancing (more on this on Friday's Fun post). The first time I went, I wore fabulous spike-y heels that looked good (even a cowboy admired them -- good taste or foot fetish??) but were horrible to dance in. What was I thinking?! Tried sequined deck shoes the next time - another cute look but having a non-skid sole was just downright ignorant on my part. So okay, I needed to invest in cowboy boots again. Any reason for shopping, right? I found a really great place online "Country Outfitters" and there were so many wonderful choices that I had to buy two of my favorites (I'm not getting paid by them; I'm just a big fan now). I stayed  with neutral colors this time, but they have some boots with orange, and then another with turquoise, and then desert red...you get the picture. 

I think these are my favorite, grey with black inlay and glittering black seqins ; they're going out dancing this week!

I like the gold stitching on these and the black winged cross.

Then I found another two pair of cowboy boots at Boston Proper (online catalog). Both were on sale so I couldn't resist either one of them. Half the fun of a new hobby for me is getting the clothes to go with it. Hubby has always said that motorcycling is just an excuse to buy leather and bling so I guess the same holds true for this activity.

I already had the cowboy hats which are good to cover up motorcycle helmet hair and also to keep wildly curly hair under control (when my hair meets humidity, it's chaos). This is the perfect hat to go with my new gold and black boots.

Diva Amy makes most of my hats (check her out at Team Diva online). She's local (at least during the good months here) and lets me pick out colors and items for the hats. Usually, though, I can find something she's already made that I love.

A jacket (from local store, Harari at Kierland Commons)  that works for both asphalt cowboy riding and country western line dancing with a Chico's sequined tank underneath

Gold and silver mesh earrings above go with the gold and silver cross necklace (below) that I bought from one of the vendors at AZ Bike Week last year.

A dark silver and gold Michael Kors watch keeps the mixed metallic look continuing along with gold and silver link bracelets.

Another hat (below) from Diva Amy features feathers, my favorite color orange, and a guitar as homage to the hubby's band. 

Fringed suede jacket (Chico's); denim shirt (J.Crew)

Necklace from local shop, Kiss Me Kate, at the Gainey Village Shops

Chico's silver concho and leather belt

Tod's orange crocodile cuff; local designer-made sterling and orange spiny shell ring; and the Boston Proper tan scroll-stitched distressed leather boots (still available but no longer on sale)

 The final pair of new boots: metallic leather from Boston Proper

 Silver accessories; Gucci watch 

 And one of my favorite hats: silver metallic "Hell on Wheels" from Diva Amy, of course

Join us for dancing at Handlebar J's in Scottsdale this week, okay? Hats optional; boots a necessity.

Love,
Heather