NFR Fashion Swagger Time
By Amy Witt
Tis the season for family, parties, apple spice everything, the smell of Christmas trees, baby calves, brandings, fresh horses, and frozen toes inside cowboy boots. It’s the time of the year every cowboy, cowgirl, and rodeo enthusiast anticipate all year; the extravaganza, excitement, and chaos of the super bowl of rodeo…the National Finals Rodeo!
Glitz and glam will be showcased everywhere. From cowboy hats, cowboy boots, tack, and apparel, companies we love are stepping their game up and providing consumers with outstanding fashion statement choices no matter your taste or style.
“If you are sick of Aztec print, we will be offering leopard and plaids together, florals, anything embellished, with endless options giving you the opportunity to make your own look,” says Lorinda Van Newkirk, President of Gypsy Soule. With all the soul and ambiance that surrounds Gypsy Soule; their booth will be a show stopper with their popular items, logo shirts and caps selling out fast due to the amount of love, passion, and emotion encompassing the products.
Height, pattern, structure, bohemian, mixed with glamour, and influences from runway and mainstream fashion will be collaborated with old and new western fashions. Designers like Kenneth Cole and Tibi have their models walking the runway wearing rodeo clothes calling ranching sexy. Designers are kicking up the western world of fashion incorporating over the top and fun silhouettes and fits.
Various shades of jeans, stitching, styles, and pocket variation will be available. Boots will range from height to color to stitching and designs. Cowboy hats will range in color, style, and even option of patterns, embellishments, and crystals. Tack will be inlayed, colored, and extremely artistic with graphics.
A huge factor companies are starting to pay close attention to is quality. With higher quality leathers, denim, and fabrics equals an increase in price; the bright side is better durability, fit, and appearance for your buck.
Shane Holman, Sr. Director of Global Western Trend and Market Development for Ariat International forecast is dead on. Shane reflects, “At the NFR you will see fringe, sequins, cowboy boots galore, a lot of apparel other than denim, prints, and skinny jeans. Glitz and glamour is always popular in Vegas! In the western world bling is never out of style! Too much is never enough. Go Big!”
Ariat will be featuring traditional ultra-classic styles and fits throughout their apparel and boot collections for men and women alike. Bullet Blue Jeans, made in the USA, will be selling a variety of colored jeans ranging in fit from skinny to flare. Of course, you can expect to see comfort, work approved, and premium blends of denim collections from Wrangler.
No matter if you are Christmas shopping or have been saving your money all year to splurge on yourself, companies will not disappoint this year at the NFR! Just remember, fashion is about taking risks; cowboy and cowgirls know how to do that best! Kick up your rodeo swagger!
Photo courtesy: Ariat International
Photo courtesy: GyspySoule
