When we speak of cowboys, you likely imagine men riding the range, shootouts at the OK Corral, and other similar things. Admittedly, these things are a part of it. However, its not as glamourous or as romantic as we are led to believe through the movies. A cowboy’s life was one of difficulty. A life that was very difficult, dirty, and at times-deadly. There were cowboys, there were gunfighters, and there were outlaws. There was also everything imaginable in-between.

The Cowboy’s Job

Being a cowboy meant a variety of things. Ranch hands were there to keep the cattle in check, herd them to other areas of the U.S. and more. Their day started at sun up and ended when the sunset. It was a hard life. One that was often left behind for other, more lucrative, ideas. There was money to be made in bounty hunting, gambling, and other jobs.

The Cowboy’s Style

The cowboy-style of the dress came from Spaniards.  We also learned techniques and tools that made the cowboy’s life a little easier. However, cowboys still had a rough road to travel. They would wear one outfit until it fell apart. They would spend enough time on the range that they didn’t have the chance to bathe often, especially during the winter. Life was a struggle and it showed in every aspect of their personal style.

A Turning Point

Not all cowboys were boys. There were many women that did what they had to do to survive in the wild west. The ladies that were there were just as tough, and sometimes rowdy, as the men. Perhaps it is this reason that even today, though the west is long gone, we still have women and men both competing in rodeos.