Grand River Renegades

Well, there really are no hard fast rules, however if you want to be able to kick up your heels in style here are a few style tips…

If you haven't been to Stompin' Sundays at Rumors Nightclub to dance with the Grand River Renegades you may not know that most anything you want to wear, is pretty much what everyone wears.

Having said that, there are a couple of things you will want to keep in mind that will actually make your dance experience more enjoyable and even easier.

You will want to wear clothing that is comfortable, nothing that will get in the way of you moving easily on the dance floor. From jeans & t-shirts to full western regalia make sure you will be comfortable. Another tip is to dress in layers, so you can remove clothes to help you stay cool. For more specific tips however let's start at the bottom with boots, shoes, etc.

FOOTWEAR

Do you have to wear Cowboy boots? No…

You do want to be sure to wear boots or shoes with leather soles so you can move your feet easily on the dance floor. Just make sure they fit comfortably. Whatever you do – Do Not wear sneakers or shoes with rubber soles. They have a tendency to stick to the dance floor which could cause you to trip and you certainly can't spin or turn in them at all.

If you just went out and bought new boots, you will want to wear them a few times before trying to dance in them all night. Once broken in, your boots can be the most comfortable footwear you own. If you must wear new boots consider bringing another pair of shoes to change into if your feet get sore or tired.

Why wear cowboy boots at all? Believe it or not- a boot with its slightly raised heel and leather sole makes them pretty darn great for dancing in.

There are a couple of different styles to choose from too. There is the traditional boot, with a raised heel, but don't go too high if you aren't used to wearing this type of boot. There are also boots known as ropers or walking boots, a lot of cowboys prefer these since they don't have the raised heel and you can get them in a lace up style as well.

Another boot that also looks great is a work boot, while not exactly western wear, they certainly can look country and sexy on a cowboy.

What ever kind of boot you choose, they look really great with a nice fitting pair of jeans... But then, I guess that's more for the rest of us than you though. Speaking of jeans let's move on…

PANTS

If you are going for that Western or Cowboy look there is really only one choice – jeans. But even here you have lots of options. There are blue, black, grey, tan, brown jeans and they all look good. If wearing boots, you may want to consider wearing a boot cut jean which means there is a bit more room in the lower part of the jean so they fit easily over your boots.

There are also lots of brands to choose from as well. Now the purists will say the true cowboy jeans are Wranglers which are popular with real cowboys. Other popular jeans are Levi's and Lee, but really any good fitting jean will work. You may have noticed that cowboys tend to wear their jeans a bit on the snug side, but it's up to you. New, worn, faded, or ripped, they all work as long as they are clean and comfortable!

SHIRTS

Again there is a wide selection to choose from here as well. Plaids, Flannel, Western cut, Button or Snap are your more traditional cowboy shirts. But any shirt will work from t-shirts, polo shirts to long sleeve shirts.

This is where you may want to consider layering. A t-shirt with a western shirt over that, then a western cut vest looks great and you can remove layers if you get too warm.

Want to be instantly more attractive to your dance partner? Bring along an extra shirt in case it gets too warm, that way you can change into a dry shirt. Your dance partner will appreciate it when you are holding him or her close.

 

HATS

Do I wear a Cowboy Hat or not? Here your choice is as individual as you are. While a Cowboy hat instantly gives you that Cowboy look, you may want to consider a few things.

Hats can make you even hotter than you already are. You may have to make adjustments for hats for fancy twirls & spins when dancing with a partner. So some folks choose not to wear ‘em, but then many of us do.

What kind of hat do you choose? There is a huge range of hats to choose from in all shapes, colors and materials. I usually wear a straw hat for indoor dancing since it is a bit cooler on my head than my Stetson. Hats also range in prices from as low as maybe $20.00 to over a 1000 dollars, so let your wallet be your guide.

You can also have your hat custom fitted at most good Western outfitters. This is called blocking or shaping and they will usually fit and shape your hat at no extra cost to you.

One more thing, there is kinda an unwritten Rule; never mess with a Cowboy's Hat. In most places you wouldn't even think of asking to try on someone's cowboy hat, it could get you in a heap of trouble.

So in the end, it is your choice whether to wear a hat or not, it does hide a bad hair day though…

 

YES REAL COWBOYS ACCESORIZE

Here is where you can have some real fun. You have lots of items to choose from; belts, buckles, bandana's, vests, chaps and bolo ties.

Belts are usually wider than the usual dress belt and can be brown or black. The buckle is again your choice. A regular u-type buckle is just fine or you could wear the more ornate western style buckles similar to Rodeo buckles. There are also more ornate western belts hand tooled or with silver or gold embellishments.

No belt at all -- is also a rather nice look!

Bandana's add a quick cowboy appeal whether tucked in your pocket, tied around your neck or even your hat. Vests & chaps can make quite a statement as well either dressing up or even dressing down your look.

Be creative when choosing your accessories, the only thing I would suggest you stay away from would be spurs on your boots. Spurs are just an accident waiting to happen when dancing.

 

In the next few weeks we will be adding a list of stores that specialize in western wear both in the area and online that you may want to visit. So check back. In the meantime you can mosey over to Target or even Walmart for a surprising collection of western style clothing and at a pretty good price.

 

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