"Courage is being scared to death .... and saddling up anyway"
~JOHN WAYNE
The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth goes on in
Calgary! After devastation, evacuation
and rejuvenation, the 101st Calgary Stampede 2013 is happening. Here are the “must-haves” and “nice to haves”
to fit in with the locals while in Calgary for Stampede July 5 to
14th .
a.
Cowboy Boots –
not everyone gets the royal treatment like 2011’s Parade Marshalls Prince
William and Princess Kate or this year’s Chris Hadfield’s custom boots. The best place to find them is The Alberta
Boot Companyhttp://www.albertaboot.com/ For 34 years, Alberta Boot Company has
outfitted Royalty, movie stars, entertainers, celebrities, athletes, public
figures, religious leaders, and ordinary people from all
over the world who are intrigued by the mystique of the Wild West!
b. Jeans – Levis, Lee, Wrangler or designer jeans – whatever is your taste. The best place to find that worn in look is at any of the 4 Value Village locations in Calgary, Hours: Mon-Sat 9-9 | Sun 10-6. Besides finding hoot’n’hollerin duds, you are supporting charities: Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, and Canadian Living Foundation http://www.valuevillage.com/
ii. 3405-34th St NE
iii. 5720 Silver Springs Blvd NW #28
iv. Unit #1, 240 Midpark Way SE
c. Cowboy Hat – It doesn’t matter whether you don a Fedora, Stetson, Straw, or Canvas
Hat, one size does not fit all! They’re
handy to have to ward off the heat or rain showers and the best place to find yours
is SmithBiltHats http://www.smithbilthats.com/. One of the biggest honors bestowed upon visitors
and a symbol of Calgary hospitality is the “White Hat” Ceremony.
The white hat has been cheered along with numerous celebrities and
dignitaries on their visits to the city since the 1950s. To book your white hat ceremony, email whitehat@tourismcalgary.com or look up the website http://www.visitcalgary.com/meetings/how-we-can-help/white-hat-ceremony
Adopting the hat as your signature piece, also means you must accept the responsibility of hat etiquette. Your uniqueness extends not only to you choice of headwear, but to mind your manners as well.
i. Promptly remove your hat upon entering an elevator, restaurant, or someone’s home.
ii. Never wear your hat during a meal.
iii. Touch the brim of your hat
lightly when greeting a friend.
iv. Raise the hat by the crown
when meeting a female friend in public.
v. Remove your hat during the
national anthem and place it over your heart.
d.
Belt Buckle –
You don’t need one to blend in, however, it is nice to know the significance of
the Belt Buckle as you see them as a fashion statement or a statement
period. Cowboy belt buckles originated
in Hollywood, California and they weren’t worn by the cowboys on the range,
they were worn by the cowboy stars of the silver screen during the 30s and 40s
while Westerns were one of the most popular movie genres. One famous cowboy in particular, John Wayne,
was given one to him by director Howard Hanks for his performance in “Western
Red River” (1948).
Trophy belt buckles first appeared in the 1920s and were awarded as prizes. Eventually, they became the rodeo equivalent of an Olympic Medal. Over the years they got more valuable and elaborate with the event name, year and winner’s name engraved on them.
"Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself."
~OSCAR DE LA RENTA
e.
ENSEMBLE –
If you don’t have time to shop or less inclined to, there are western retailers
to help you giddy up with yur get up! The
most well-known is Lammle’s Western Wear with six locations Calgary :https://www.lammles.com/index.php/osCsid/fe8qcgdi99062bmt6n87p1pp05
i. Downtown (Stephen Avenue Mall) – 211 – 8th
Avenue S.W.
ii. Chinook Center – 6455 Macleod Trail S.
iii. Willow Park Village - #3 575 10816 MacLeod Trail S
iv. Shawnessy – 230, 350 Shawville Blvd S.E.
v. Crowfoot Village -- Unit 6, 98 Crowfoot Terrace NW
vi. Market Mall -- 3625
Shaganappi Trail NW
f. LADIES: For you Buckeroos that want to help your Cowgirl put a stomp on
fashion, help is on the way. Like the
previous advice, you can stampede your way and fit in splendidly. However, most women like a feminine approach
that both blends in and stands out.
Yeesh, says the fellas.
i. CASUAL: Halter top, T, jean
shorts and cowboy boots and hat.
ii. FEMININE: Flowered dress with jean jacket, cowboy boots and hat.
iii. ADORN: Put the
glitz hats, boots with sequins,
studs, lace and feathers to make a personalized statement!
iv. GUYS: Impress her with a turquoise set of earrings, bangles, necklace
or ring (bonus points: ALL)
v. MORE IDEAS: Check out my Stampede
2013 Board on Pinterest for many more style options: http://pinterest.com/optioneerjm/boards/
Now folks, you are all ready to hoot’n’holler with the best of them there Calgarians -- disguised as cowboys and cowgirls! http://cs.calgarystampede.com/
"I want to be a Texan 24 hours a day"
~JAMES DEAN
