Which is the Best Fabric for You : Understanding Western Wear Fabrics
When it comes to western wear, fabric options are plentiful. This is because fabrics have different purposes in clothing manufacturing. But how are we supposed to know which fabric is the best one for our specific needs? As a western wear buyer, it's important to understand how different fabrics are used.
Western wear uses a select amount of fabrics: cotton, twill, polyester, denim,and rayon are all popular options. But when should you wear a cotton western shirt versus one made from rayon?
Let's discuss each western wear fabric type in greater detail:
Cotton western shirts. Opt for cotton western shirts in the warmer months. Cotton is a breathable fabric because of its ability to absorb liquids, like sweat, and release them. This characteristic makes it perfect for keeping cowboys and cowgirls cool and comfortable during the summer months.
Rayon Western Shirt
Polyester western shirts. Polyester isn't usually found in "pure form" in western shirts. Western shirts with polyester blends tend to last longer because of the strength the fabric provides. Polyester holds its shape well, which means it sees the iron less often than other fabrics. Also, this fabric is heavier than cotton and less breathable, so it's an ideal choice for keeping warm during the winter.
Rayon western shirts. As with polyester, you won't find rayon in pure form in western shirts. Blends of rayon, however, provide strength, which helps the western wear product last longer. Rayon has a smooth, silky appearance, making it useful for formal occasions.
Twill western wear. Twill fabrics are often used in western work clothes. Twill is a heavier fabric which makes it stand up well against wear and tear. Twill doesn't wrinkle as much as other fabrics, and it's less likely to show dirt.
Denim Cowboy Shirt
Denim western wear. Denim is a popular western wear fabric since it's often associated in the media and films with the rugged American cowboy. But denim is popular for another reason: the durability of its weave. Denim's strength provides cowboys and cowgirls with a long-lasting western shirt that's perfect to wear while doing tough work. It's also a warm fabric…perfect when you're roaming the range during colder months.
When you're shopping, remember to check the fabric content of the western wear garment since it will have an impact on your buying decision. Bookmark this article and use it as a reference.
How do you tell if you have a "real" western shirt?
A cowboy like you deserves to know he's wearing a genuine western shirt. While "real" western shirts don't typically have labels to indicate their authenticity, true western shirts share certain characteristics, including yokes, and snaps.
Yokes:
Yokes are a main design element of real western shirts. The term derives from the wooded harness that oxen wore to pull wagons. The yoke fabrics are a little heavier, made with an extra ply of fabric, and sewn from the shoulder seam down over the body. A western yoke is always stylized with a point or curve. Yokes come in limitless shapes: curved, scalloped, straight, and simple. Simple yokes are single point, while V-shaped back yokes are mostly curved. Highly embroidered shirts have no front yoke so there is more room for embroidery. Yokes on plaids and stripes tend to run the opposite way of the shirt body. From a design stand-point, yokes accent broad shoulders and make cowboys look and feel different from everyone else (that's a good thing!).
Fabric:
A real western shirt's beauty often comes down to the fabric that's used. Early western shirts were often homemade. Today, real western shirts are typically made from all-cotton, denim, poly/cotton blends, and/or rayon gabardine.
Snaps:
Snaps are another big design element in genuine western shirts. Why are snaps used? Simple--for the "break away" feature in case the shirt gets caught on a fence, saddle horn, etc. Snaps have a distinct country look, which is what cowboys want: not to be like city folks. Snaps are used for front closures as well as on the cuffs.
"Pearl" snaps are the typical snap now. They have a beautiful and unique color and luster. As their name suggests, at one time, they were made from shells. The first snaps were round, but then came the hex snap and diamond shaped snap with metal rims. Snaps come in all colors and usually coordinate with the fabric. All our shirts at Old Fashion Western Shirts are western snap shirts.
When it comes to western wear, fabric options are plentiful. This is because fabrics have different purposes in clothing manufacturing. But how are we supposed to know which fabric is the best one for our specific needs? As a western wear buyer, it's important to understand how different fabrics are used.
Western wear uses a select amount of fabrics: cotton, twill, polyester, denim,and rayon are all popular options. But when should you wear a cotton western shirt versus one made from rayon?
Let's discuss each western wear fabric type in greater detail:
Cotton western shirts. Opt for cotton western shirts in the warmer months. Cotton is a breathable fabric because of its ability to absorb liquids, like sweat, and release them. This characteristic makes it perfect for keeping cowboys and cowgirls cool and comfortable during the summer months.
Rayon Western Shirt
Polyester western shirts. Polyester isn't usually found in "pure form" in western shirts. Western shirts with polyester blends tend to last longer because of the strength the fabric provides. Polyester holds its shape well, which means it sees the iron less often than other fabrics. Also, this fabric is heavier than cotton and less breathable, so it's an ideal choice for keeping warm during the winter.
Rayon western shirts. As with polyester, you won't find rayon in pure form in western shirts. Blends of rayon, however, provide strength, which helps the western wear product last longer. Rayon has a smooth, silky appearance, making it useful for formal occasions.
Twill western wear. Twill fabrics are often used in western work clothes. Twill is a heavier fabric which makes it stand up well against wear and tear. Twill doesn't wrinkle as much as other fabrics, and it's less likely to show dirt.
Denim Cowboy Shirt
Denim western wear. Denim is a popular western wear fabric since it's often associated in the media and films with the rugged American cowboy. But denim is popular for another reason: the durability of its weave. Denim's strength provides cowboys and cowgirls with a long-lasting western shirt that's perfect to wear while doing tough work. It's also a warm fabric…perfect when you're roaming the range during colder months.
When you're shopping, remember to check the fabric content of the western wear garment since it will have an impact on your buying decision. Bookmark this article and use it as a reference.
How do you tell if you have a "real" western shirt?
A cowboy like you deserves to know he's wearing a genuine western shirt. While "real" western shirts don't typically have labels to indicate their authenticity, true western shirts share certain characteristics, including yokes, and snaps.
Yokes:
Yokes are a main design element of real western shirts. The term derives from the wooded harness that oxen wore to pull wagons. The yoke fabrics are a little heavier, made with an extra ply of fabric, and sewn from the shoulder seam down over the body. A western yoke is always stylized with a point or curve. Yokes come in limitless shapes: curved, scalloped, straight, and simple. Simple yokes are single point, while V-shaped back yokes are mostly curved. Highly embroidered shirts have no front yoke so there is more room for embroidery. Yokes on plaids and stripes tend to run the opposite way of the shirt body. From a design stand-point, yokes accent broad shoulders and make cowboys look and feel different from everyone else (that's a good thing!).
Fabric:
A real western shirt's beauty often comes down to the fabric that's used. Early western shirts were often homemade. Today, real western shirts are typically made from all-cotton, denim, poly/cotton blends, and/or rayon gabardine.
Snaps:
Snaps are another big design element in genuine western shirts. Why are snaps used? Simple--for the "break away" feature in case the shirt gets caught on a fence, saddle horn, etc. Snaps have a distinct country look, which is what cowboys want: not to be like city folks. Snaps are used for front closures as well as on the cuffs.
"Pearl" snaps are the typical snap now. They have a beautiful and unique color and luster. As their name suggests, at one time, they were made from shells. The first snaps were round, but then came the hex snap and diamond shaped snap with metal rims. Snaps come in all colors and usually coordinate with the fabric. All our shirts at Old Fashion Western Shirts are western snap shirts.
New Western Baby Blanket
These wonderful items are made from soft fluffy materials and can also be made from cotton blends that are prewashed with baby safe laundry soap. They come in many colors and patterns. Custom orders are welcome. Every little cowboy/cowgirl needs thier own blanket to grow with and we are striving to provide that comfort they will take with them.