The Authentic Western Society                        

"An Introduction"

We are a collection of enthusiastic people with like minded interests in the history and romance of the Old American West.  People who like nothing more than dressing up in period costume of this era portraying their heroes and re-living history.

We meet up and down the country at the many Country & Western Clubs or in season, Spring to Fall, at round ups and festivals where Westerners with similar interests gather to listen to "live" country music, take part in competitions or top up their western wardrobe at the numerous trade stands, and generally have a good time.

The "SOCIETY" was a brainchild of mine to encourage more people to dress in period costume.  The idea being pick a character and try to emulate them to the best of your ability.

LADIES:- Think what they would have worn, wives of ranchers, mayors, marshals, doctors and store owners, or you may want to be a school teacher, soiled dove or saloon girl.

GENTS:- You may want to be a cowboy, outlaw, marshal, sheriff, Texas ranger, ranch owner, barman, storekeeper, preacher, physician, mayor, judge or town drunk the list is endless. 

Think of the times 1860/1890 there were no jeans as we know them.  No press studs, zips, wrist watches, sunglasses, lighters, tailored cigarettes, mobile phones or buscadero gun rigs ie Holywood inventions.

Now you have read all that, there are no hard and fast rules on costume.  We just ask you to be honest with yourselves.  You will know what is right and what is not.

TO SUM UP HERE IS A GUIDELINE OF WHAT TO WEAR ==

FOR EVERYONE :-    SPECTACLES IN OTHER WORDS GLASSES IF YOU DO NOT POSSESS VINTAGE ONES

LEAVE THEM OFF, DO NOT WEAR ANY!!

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FOR THE LADIES:-  YES TO SKIRTS, BLOUSES, SUITS OR DAY DRESSES. MADE OF COTTON, SILK  FLANNELETTE

OR WOOLLEN MATERIALS.  YES TO HATS MADE OF FELT, STRAW OR SILK. YES TO CULOTTES OR  RIDING TROUSERS

NOW & AGAIN AND YES TO BALL GOWNS FOR BALLS.

NO TO CRIMPLENE, TERYLENE, RAYON OR ANY MAN MADE FIBRES.

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FOR THE MEN:- YES TO  PULLOVER SHIRTS WITH OR WITHOUT COLLAR MADE OF  COTTON OR FLANNELETTE MATERIAL.

 YES TO TROUSERS WOOLLEN OR CANVAS PREFERABLY HIGH WAISTED.  YES TO  PLAIN  BOOTS, SHORT OR LONG.

 SPURS ARE OK  YES TO UNDECORATED FELT HATS WITH PLAIN HAT BANDS. YES TO WATCH CHAINS WITH “T” BAR. 

NO TO JEANS  NO TO LABELS  NO TO BELT LOOPS OR ZIPS.  NO TO LINE DANCE CHAINS OR STRAPS.  

NO TO FANCY HAT BANDS.  NO TO EARINGS. NO TO RED UNDERWEAR.

NO BUSCADERO GUN RIGS IE. HOLYWOOD DROPPED LOOP  INVENTIONS. 

 TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR IF IT LOOKS RIGHT AND FEELS GOOD THAT`S GREAT WEAR IT .

Lets face it if we were to be really authentic we would be a crowd of scruffs there has to be some romance or dreaming. Remember the whole point of the exercise is to enjoy yourself and have a good time!!

                                                                                                                                                          A.J.