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Monday, February 4, 2013

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

32 comments:

  1. I also posted about Rodeo Wear today, but I have to admit...you rocked it much better than my toned down verson. Gorgeous pieces here...you would fit right in at our San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo beginning this week! Great job!

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  2. Hi Pam,
    Saw your post after I posted mine this morning and got a chuckle! Great minds think alike:) I'll go back over and leave a comment, but you looked great in your denim on denim. Love that it's trendy to do denim together again (I'm not sure I ever stopped).
    Thanks for the lovely compliment.
    Heather

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  3. What a fabulous collection of Western wear! Love the orange bracelet and ring. Thanks for linking up and sharing your look!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Patti. I'm loving your outfit today, too. You always look wonderful!
      Heather

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  4. Glad to have found my way to your blog via your sweet comment in mine.....I'm a huge fan of anything Western (movies, boots, etc)!!!!

    REBECCA
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  5. Glad to have you visit, Rebecca. Love your blog!
    Heather

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  6. Hi Heather! So nice of you to stop by with your lovely comment, thanks!! I love your Western styling and the metallic cowboy boots, cowboy hat and gorgeous array of different jewellery are such a stylish treat- I love it all! Will be adding you to my bloglist!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Glad to be added to your bloglist -- it's an honor!
      Heather

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  7. Howdy!! I love this post!! love all the western wear! You need to come to Texas King Ranch.. You would love it... Great post..

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    Replies
    1. I'd love to visit Texas King Ranch, Melissa! You need to come and visit us here in Scottsdale, too. The Arabian Horse Show is incredible -- so is the bull riding in Cave Creek. Thank you for visiting our blog.
      Heather

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  8. You are rocking the western wear!! LOVE it!!

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  9. Oh man do I love those black and white boots! Did you try putting insoles inside the boots? That usually helps me with shoes that are too big. They are just so beautiful to consign. I can't believe no one wanted them!

    I have some Old Gringo boots that have colored embroidery on them. I love, love cowboy wear. Wichita is aka as Cowtown but for some reason people here don't want to bring up the western history.

    Every last bit of your outfits are fabulous and they look so very good on you. I am envious!

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  10. You're too sweet, Debbie! Thanks for the compliments. The white and black boots may look nice in the picture, and they may look good on the right person, but on me, they're just floppy and a full size too big. I'm short and the boots are tall, so it's kind of humorous when I'm wearing them. I'm hoping that they'll go to a good home :)
    Heather

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  11. Wow, this is truly impressive! I love unique traditions like this.
    Your suede leather jacket is fabulous and of course I love the hats!
    Living in Bavaria, Germany and we do have a very authentic culture too.

    Annette
    Lady of Style

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    Replies
    1. Hi Annette,
      I had the pleasure of staying in Regensburg for three weeks and I love the whole Bavarian way of life. Fabulous culture -- great food, great castles, wonderful people. Thanks for visiting our blog!
      Heather

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  12. Thanks for visiting from Barcelona, Spain!
    Heather

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  13. Love your outfit, especially the boots!

    http://MamaInHeels.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mama in Heels. Love the name of your blog, Janise!
      Heather

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  14. A Harley and Line Dancing...how very fun are YOU! Thank you for sharing my dear! Boy if I lived closer I would love to show up! Learning to line dance is on my list!!

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    1. Tamera, I feel like a rock star has just visited our blog! Your blog was one of the first blogs I read and I've been following you ever since. Thanks so much for your comments. If you're ever in town, we'll go out line dancing.
      Heather

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  15. Oh my goodness! Where to begin! Every pair of your boots are gorgeous! Your jewelry is fabulous! Your hats are awesome! And you do line dancing?

    Thanks so much for stopping by our blog today or I would have never found yours :) Heather

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for returning the visit. Your blog is darling!
      Heather

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  16. Really such a amazing collection I love this post.Definitely,what a fantastic blog and enlightening posts,I definitely will bookmark your website.Best Regards!

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  17. Thank you! I checked out your site -- you have amazing country western clothing for sale in Australia! That shouldn't have surprised me as I have cousins in Australia, but it did. You might enjoy my Friday post; it's about country line dancing. Do you do that down under as well?
    Heather

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