This one was posted January 2002
Read Lynne's feelings on Western Wear
and why she still loves to wear her Boots and Stetson.
WHY I
STILL LOVE MY STETSON!
The trend these days it
to move away from Western Wear, especially hats - although the only items of
western gear I wear are hats, boots and sometimes belts, I still enjoy wearing
them - why?
Hats: I think if a
genuine Stetson or cowboy hat is worn 'flat on' it looks SO COOL! I am
not talking about those 'toy' hats that were 'in' last season, but the Real
McCoy. I love wearing my hats - I find them comfortable and I do not feel hot
and sweaty (like many say they do) but oh so sexy (and sweaty), even when I
am dancing energetically for four hours non-stop. Not only that, but I think
others, especially guys can look pretty 'hot' too. I love hats, full stop, but
cowboy ones....
Boots: I still enjoy
wearing my boots. I have long ones, short ones, different shapes, colours, etc. I
know the trend is dancing in dance trainers now but I can't get a feel for that
- I feel I want to go to the dance studio and take a jazz class. I think that
dance boots, with really soft leather are soooo comfortable and could not
imagine dancing in anything else.
Belts: I know sparkles
are 'in' in a big way but I personally prefer non-glitzy accessories.
Although I can't stand
the rest of the Western Wear look, I just love my belts, boots and especially my
HATS and feel it a pity that there seems to be almost a stigma attached to
wearing one. I don't care,- I love them, love them and love them.
Lynne
(25th March)
Hi Lynne,
After Katherine's letter I felt I had to write to you. It is truly great to hear
you are keeping the tradition going as I am. I know that clothing is about
personal choice but I think line dancing is losing its way now. This might sound
old-fashioned but I really think that the slip in popularity is partly due to
the loss of some of the fun and mystique. Dressing up was always part of it,
wasn't it and everyone looked so smart and you felt part of a 'set' so to speak.
Now hardly anyone seems to make the effort unless it's for a special occasion.
Every week is a special occasion as far as I'm concerned and I, like you, will
always wear my hat, boots, belts, etc.
Best wishes,
Carole Dewar
West Midlands
Hi Carole,
Lovely to hear from you and thank you for your letter. I do think the key is the
way one wear's something and I think it is good news that some people like you
feel the same as me. Have you noticed how tassels are now big fashion news -
tassels on boots, bags, jackets, etc? See, we are very fashionable and always
have been!!
Thanks Carole.
Warmest wishes,
Lynne
(13th March)
No one in my class is worried about what each other wears. We turn up, dance
hard and enjoy ourselves. I find it hard to believe that a hat is not hot either
- we work up a REAL sweat and by the time I leave, my hair is stuck to my head
with sweat and that is without a hat so I can just imagine WITH a hat!!
As for cowboy boots, they are totally impractical in my books. If I were to wear
them they would have to be Evenin' Stars. I wouldn't consider anything else, as
they are definitely the only proper dance boots around. And lastly, if when I
joined my class the instructor had been wearing Western gear and a cowboy hat, I
would have turned around and walked straight back out.
Katherine
No location or surname
given
Hello Katherine,
For someone who doesn't seem to care what you wear you do seem awfully
concerned. Why not try a hat or why not try boots (why specify one make when it
is obvious you haven't tried others) instead of just knocking those that wear
them?
In my classes, we sure do work up a sweat; yes, my hair does get sweaty, but it
would without a hat anyway, and my feet are comfortable in my boots - I have a
variety of makes. Although I do believe clothes can reflect the character of a
person, you don't seem to want to give anything a chance and just for walking
out because you don't like what the instructor is wearing is a totally
ridiculous and very narrow-minded view.
Lynne
(22nd Feb)
Hi Lynne.
The traditional country style, like any other, is relevant to the context it is
placed in. URBAN COWBOY did much for this style of dress in terms of positive
awareness as SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER did for the whole disco movement. Generally,
it is more to do with what people feel comfortable wearing and style, like most
things in life, can be developed to the needs of the individual. For me, it is
the dancing and the music that are more important and I would rather feel
comfortable dancing a certain dance and use style and dress sense as the icing
on the cake.
See you next time
Best wishes
John xx
London
Hi John,
Thank you for taking the time to write in. I do agree with you that comfort
should be the priority but sometimes it is nice to dress up. Dressing up can
also link you by association -e.g. because I often wear a cowboy hat, the
automatic assumption, in the context of line dancing (you mention context too)
is that I like country music, which is true and I am proud to say so.
Personally, if I feel I look good then somehow I feel better. I'm sure that
applies to many. But it certainly is not important and, as you say, it is just
the icing on the cake. Anyway, you always look great. John, thank you for all
your support.
See you soon.
Lynne xx
(15th Feb)
Hi Lynne,
I'm all for glitz myself - I love sparkles and rhinestones and all that jazz. I
shelled out a ton on a crystal belt not so long ago and it looks fantastic,
especially against anything black as well as with jeans. Footwear? I, like
Helen, converted to a pair of dance trainers a year ago and now I can't wear
anything else. I still love the look of cowboy boots but for dancing I now think
they are a bit impractical. I used to wonder why the soles of my feet got sore
and thought it was just the amount of dancing I was doing but my feet have been
fine since changing to dance trainers. Now, as for hats - I have seen your
picture and you look brilliant in it but me? I look terrible in one - I think
they're something you either look good in or awful in and I fall into the latter.
Have fun.
Cindy Walmsley
Tyneside
Hi Cindy,
By the sounds of it, the glitzy stuff suits you but doesn't suit me in the same
way that hats suit me but not you. Just as well we don't all suit or like the
same things. As for dance trainers, the priority is feeling comfortable and if
trainers do it for you, then that is what matters. I feel great in my boots and
I guess that is what matters too. Oh, and a little secret,- Susie, the lady who
looks after the site absolutely loves her glitzy accessories, and I do have to
say she looks fantastic in them too. Bet you look lovely in the way you dress
too.
Thanks Cindy for responding.
Warm wishes,
Lynne
Thanks Lynne, flattery will get you everywhere with your `glitzy' webmaster if
you play your cards right. >g<
Susie x
(28 Jan)
Hi Lynne
I was really interested to read your viewpoint, however I would like to tell you
of a dilemma that I faced on a weekly basis. The class I attend is run by an
incredibly enthusiastic instructor. Her choice of music and dances, as well as
energy and enthusiasm, just makes you want to get up and dance throughout
the session.
My problem was that at the end of a 3 1/2 hour session, my feet ached
from so much dancing. Now I believe that you should "listen to your
body" when dancing and my feet told me that they definitely needed some
serious TLC if they were going to let me continue to follow my passion. A friend
had told me about dance trainers so I decided to give them a
try................... absolute heaven - I can dance all night
long and what's more, my feet now thoroughly enjoy the evening as well!
OK, I admit the downside is that "stomping" your feet doesn't quite
achieve the same effect as a cowboy boot. But I'd rather be able to keep on
silently stomping all evening that having to sit out because my feet say
"no more"!
So, please be gentle with those of us who have discovered dance trainers or
should that now be a case of don't be gentle?
Love,
Helen
Hertfordshire
Hi Helen,
Now I wonder whose class you go to >bg<? Helen, by the way you dance, with
such power, enthusiasm and energy, I would never have guessed that your feet
ached at all! Having said that, of course I want you to feel comfortable, and if
dance trainers make you feel like you are in heaven, that is what it is all
about (- the feeling you are in heaven, that is)! I was simply talking about the
way I personally feel, in my viewpoint. Helen, I feel so privileged that you
support me the way you do, and quite frankly, you can dance in moon boots and I
would be ecstatic.
Lots and lots of love,
Lynne xx
(25 Jan)
Dear Lynne
Of course I wear my Stetson, otherwise I would feel naked. It gives a certain
elegance to the dance floor and the dancers, when the profile is dominated by hats
(and boots).
Also it does fit so well in some dances - touching the brim, and it amplifies
the movement of the head - even the slightest nod.
I just love my hat.
My humble opinion
Helene Behrentz
Denmark
www.swingingcowgirls.com (click
on address to link)
Hi Helene,
Lovely to hear from you and thank you for joining what is now in the UK a tiny
team of women cowboy hat wearers. Hope Denmark doesn't go the same way. You look
great in yours and you know what, I kinda feel naked without mine too, so can
relate totally. You are such a wonderful group of dancers and I hope none of you
lose that enthusiasm.
Thank you for such a fun time together.
Lynne xx
(14 Jan)
Howdy Pardner,
Welcome to the club - I am also a seasoned Stetson wearer and wouldn't have it
any other way. I started line dancing 9 years ago and in those days us hat
wearers were in the majority. On my way to my weekly club, I would happily put
up with the sarcastic comments from passers-by - I'm sure you've heard them all
- "Where's yer 'orse mate" or "ride 'em cowboy" because I
genuinely felt proud of the way I dressed and I still do. Western Wear is smart,
comfortable and in your words "So Cool". I think it a pity that it has
gone out of fashion or people are made to feel out-of-step for wearing it. Me, I
am hardened to it and will NEVER stop wearing it. I say what goes around
comes around and mark my words, they'll all be wearing them again someday,
you'll see.
Bob McNulty
Scotland
Hi Bob,
Thank you for responding. I think the term western wear does conjure up the
whole gingham, dowdy look for a woman although it is different for a man. Let me
emphasise - I hate the Western look in the old fashioned sense of long shapeless
skirts, checks, puffy sleeves, etc. but love the boots and hats when dressed up
with little sexy tops and jeans, etc. As for those comments, yes, I have heard
them many times, but actually it is usually the men who yell that, and I take it
as a compliment (The same could apply to you from the women, or men?) Maybe I am
kidding myself. But you know, more often than not, it is the way one wears
something as opposed to what they wear. I hope you agree.
Best wishes,
Lynne
(14 Jan)
Well Hi Lynne from one of those 'HOT' males you were referring
to...
Yup, that's me - 6'2" tall, all Stetson, Cuban heels, crisp ironed shirt,
Wranglers and a huge buckle on my belt. How can you possibly resist me??
Madonna looks great in her cowboy hat but I have to say, you look way better
because you are in my eyes 'the real thing'. If I didn't live so far away I
would be beating down the door to get into your club!
From one 'Hot Guy' to one 'Cool Babe' - hopefully one day we will meet on the
dance floor when hopefully you will be wearing that little skirt...Rrrr!
BTW, I'm actually 5'8" but I won't tell if you don't.
Lots of love from a devoted fan,
Micky Traynor,
Colorado -USA
Well hello Micky,
Bingo! we are both 5'8" - there is nothing wrong with that! What else can I
say but thank you.
One Cool Babe >g<,
Lynne x
