Country Western Wear
(published on www.abc7Chicago.com)

Joshua is wearing one of Stetson's new shirt lines, the medallion poplin shirt shirts are a new development for a classic brand known for their hats. It features classic western details such as flapped pockets, single-point back and front yokes, and logo snaps, plus a subtle Stetson logo embroidered on chest and cuff. Joshua's jeans are a Cinch GTO special edition with a relaxed fit, low rise and an extra-wide boot-cut leg in a hand-sanded dark stonewash. His Dan Post boots have a vintage appeal with hand-stitched worn saddle-leather and a cowboy heel. His belt is a 20X by Chambers, a distressed leather with handcrafted basketweave embossing, southwestern-inspired overlays, and studded with nailheads and floral rope edge conchos. And finishing off the ensemble is a classic watch and belt buckle by Montana Silversmiths.

Matt is wearing Cinch's Cowboy Dan vintage western shirt, featuring a summer-light cotton weave and bone-colored snap details. His jeans are also by Cinch, the Fastback special edition with an urban loose fit, low-rise, and a boot-cut leg. This jean is a hand-sanded medium stonewash broken twill, with a tinted finish, whiskering and destruction detail, and an outer leg slit. Matt's boots are by Rocky Western, a classic cowboy heel and round toe in hand-stitched worn saddle-leather. His watch and belt buckle are by Montana Silversmiths. And lastly, Matt's belt is a 20X by Chambers, an ostrich-print leather with natural leather trim and studded with nailheads.

Jessica is wearing a Cruel Girl vintage western shirt with modern twists  it's in a summery sheer fabric, the yoke detailing has been left raw and the pearl snaps alternate between fresh lime and aqua. Her Cruel Girl Madison jeans are stretch denim, with double-belt loop detailing, and hand-sanded and permanganate-wash treatments. They sit low on the waist, with a moderately fitted thigh and a flared leg. Her boots are by Durango, the Christi in brown suede and sky blue leather, with a snip toe and hand-stained cowgirl heels. Jessica's belt is a 20X by Chambers, in distressed leather with sparking lime and aqua rhinestones and a cloisonné buckle. Her bag and jewelry are all by Montana Silversmiths - the bag is the two-compartment tote, the bracelet and earrings are silver cuffs with cubic zirconias, the necklace is the Got Bling-Bling Horseshoe choker, finished off with the classic watch.

Katie is wearing a Cruel Girl asymmetrical pocket western shirt in cotton lawn. It features alternating square snaps in summer-fresh orange crush and light orange. Her Cruel Girl Quency jean is a hand-sanded bleach stonewash denim that sits low on the waist, with a moderately fitted thigh and a flared leg. Her boots are by Durango, in tan distressed leather and hand-stained cowgirl heels. Katie's belt is a 20X by Chambers, in brindle hair-on leather with beaded edge border, studded with nailheads and dazzling rhinestones and a beautiful floral pattern silver buckle. Her bag and jewelry are all by Montana Silversmiths - the bag is the Cowboy Canvas purse, trimmed with hand-tooled leather and a silver buckle, the bracelet, earrings and cross necklace are all silver with rope and bead detailing, finished off with the classic watch.

Caitlan is wearing a silk Stetson dip-dyed and crinkled camisole and blouse twin set, with matching pearl buttons, extra wide cuffs and exaggerated modern collar. Her Cruel Girl Bailey jean in sandblasted light stonewash stretch denim, with piped pocket detailing, and a low rise, fitted thigh and flared leg. Her Dan Post boots are a roughie suede leather, with a J square trimmed toe and cowboy heel. Caitlin's belt is a 20X by Chambers, in distressed leather studded with nailheads and sparking rose rhinestones and a cloisonné buckle. Her jewelry is by Montana Silversmiths.

One of the best things about western wear is not just the uniqueness of the style, it's the high value. The jeans you saw here today are all about $60 to $65 retail, the shirts and blouses run $50 to $60. Super quality of both fabric and stitching. The boots go for $100-$200& and if you haven't tried cowboy boots lately, you don't know what you're missing in the comfort department, they've really been modernized with footbed technologies. The belts go for around $50 for the men's, and, with all their bling, $80 to $100 for the ladies'. Other accessories go for anywhere from $35 for earrings, to $185 for that great bag from Montana Silversmiths.

You can find these styles in the Chicago area at various western stores. Try Alcala's Western Wear on Chicago Avenue, Mariano's on West 26th Street, or head out to Earlville to Rowdy J's on West Railroad Street