Carnival costume ideas: be a Cowboy

Carnival has arrived, the funniest festivity in the whole year celebrated with joy in most part of the world. People from all ages and conditions joins to the most uninhibited celebration, where if not all is permitted, it is frequent to see “irreconcilable enemies” enjoying the festivity: cowboys and indians, police officers and thieves, historical persons and science fiction heroes… In Carnival there are no barriers, especially for the imagination.

The celebration is full of parades, costumes, masquerades, parties, gastronomic specialties and tons of fun. This year the Carnival arrives a bit later than previous, so it announces, in a certain way, north hemisphere winter’s farewell. Festivity’s vivacity invites to “stretch” as the nature do with spring’s coming up.

But before trees and flowers get dressed indicating season’s change, we will do so with the costumes, which are carnival’s essence and one of its maximum attractions. Carnival is also the perfect chance to let stay afloat the “alter ego” that we all have inside, or take the best of our preferred looks, as for example the western style.

Yes, carnival might be the opportunity to become an authentic cowboy or a pretty cowgirl, but with the advantage that later on you will be able to wear some of your costume elements during the year.

Tell me what’s your costume and will tell you who you are

Carnival is the outlet that let us release from some social rules. It’s not question of going too far but let our imagination fly and choose without complex what we would like to be, even if it is only for one day.

According to psychologist, costume’s choice is often associated with the chance of representing a role that reflects our true personality. So, if in your inner you feel having a cowboy soul, the time of releasing has arrived. Cowboy attire is characterized by combining what is useful and decorative, thus the western style has permanent presence in the world of fashion.

But, let’ see what would you need to become an authentic cowboy or cowgirl, at least for one day. The most common image from a genuine cowboy is of a rider dressed in a charish way with a wide brim hat, western shirt, scarf or bandana on the neck, leather vest, high boots with spurs, and one or two pistols holstered on put inside a western belt.

If there is an indispensable piece for this kind of costume, without doubt, is the cowboy hat: a true Far West icon, its purpose was to cover any need that might appear, such as protect from the sun and rain, stoke the fire, collect water or ever use as pillow.

And you are thinking about the utility that you can give to your hat after carnival, there are plenty of chances: wear it in the beach or countryside to protect from the sun, for your horse riding trails, or also when enjoying a country music line dance night in your prefered Honky Tonk.

Finding the best cowboy and cowgirl attire

Although the hat is a must, it needs a proper shirt to be accompanied. The plaid western shirts are, in this case, a safe bet. Combining different colors, from flashy to the most sober ones, sure will find one to fit your style. If you aren’t a check lover, you can also choose a plain western shirt. You should wear it inside the trousers and if complete the look with a western belt, the result can’t be better. Furthermore, the western shirt is a piece of clothing that can wear all year round, with or without the hat, like the belt.

If you decide to complete your attire with a vest, you should wear it open or with a relaxed fit, just like a real cowboy would do it. And regarding the paisley bandana, wear it tied on the neck. Did you know that cowboys also gave to their bandanas other uses such as tourniquet if a snake bites, or even as hand lace for tiding calf’s leg?

But, let’s continue with some accessories to complete your cowboy costume, for example: a sheriff badge: the law figure in charge of justice’ safeguard. And there is no sheriff without holsters to carry the guns, so this two accessories, badge and holsters, are inseparable.

Another imprescindible accessory for your cowboy or cowgirl costume are the boots. Preferably high leg or mid calf, one tone leather or two toned leathers combination, and made of greased leather, soft leather, suede, distressed leather… Iconic and irresistible, there are as many cowboy boots to choose as occasions to wear them.

And the thing is that dressing as cowboy or cowgirl, might not be the only chance to release without complex your western soul if you have it: it is also enjoying a style that never gets out of fashion and will differentiate you from the rest.