A western shirt can be styled with yokes. Yokes are usually the main element of the western shirt. The term yokes was taken from the harness worn by oxen pulling carts and wagons. The fabric of the yoke is usually heavier than the rest of the shirt as it is made with an extra ply of fabric and sewn from the shoulder all the way down over the body of the shirt. A western shirt will always have a yoke that is stylized with a point or a curve. A simple yoke is one that has a single point. However, a V-shaped yoke is mostly curved. If a western shirt is highly embroidered, then there will not be a yoke on the front of the shirt. If a yoke is on a plaid shirt, the stripes tend to run opposite of the body of the shirt to provide contrast. The yokes are used to accent the cowboy's broad shoulders.
2. Style Western Shirts with Fabric
A western shirt can be styled with different fabric. Earlier western shirts were homemade, so the person making the shirt would use whatever fabric was available. Modern western shirts are generally made from various fabrics including denim, cotton, rayon, gabardine, or poly cotton blends. The fabric can be used to pattern the shirt into plaid, check, and denim shirts.
3. Style Western Shirts with Snaps
Many western shirts are styled with snaps. Snaps are an important design element in western shirts because cowboys out in the field rustling up cattle, riding horses, or building fences, needed the breakaway feature of the snaps in case the shirt got caught on a fence or saddle. The snaps can be used as front closures and as cuff closures. There are typically two different snap choices that a western shirt can be styled with:
Metal Snaps
A metal snap was the first kind of snap that was used on western shirts. They were round at first, but later became a kind of hex shape, and then became a diamond shape.
Pearl Snaps
Pearl snaps are the modern snaps placed on many western shirts. They have a unique and beautiful color and shine. At one time they were made from shells.
No matter what kinds of snaps are used, all colors coordinated with the fabric.
4. Style Western Shirts with Fringe
Of course, western shirts can be styled with fringe. The original design of the fringe came from the mane of horses. The Native Americans thought the mane kept the horse's neck dry under it, so they incorporated the design into their clothing hoping it would do the same for them. Fringe is used today to decorate and accent the yokes and the sleeves of a western shirt. It is made from either faux leather or string.
5. Style Western Shirts with Embroidery, Applique, and Decorative Stitching
Western shirts can show off the flair of the wearer when they are styled with embroidery, applique, and decorative stitching. The embellishments came from the Native Americans as well, and were adopted by cowboy movies in the 1920s. When it comes to these embellishments, the sky's the limit. They can be put anywhere on the shirt from the front to the back and down the sleeves as an expression of artistry.
6. Style Western Shirts with Jewels, Studs, and Rhinestones
Last, but not least, a western shirt can be styled with jewels, studs, and rhinestones. When styled with these, the western shirt shouts cowboy. The most popular design on many of today's western shirts is the rhinestone cross.
The western shirt can be styled as loud or as soft as the cowboy would want. There are various styles and types of shirts that a cowboy can wear and still call it a western shirt.
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