Gitty UP N git'R'done with UR #Stampede Get Up

 

"Courage is being scared to death .... and saddling up anyway" 

 ~JOHN WAYNE

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth goes on in Calgary!  After devastation, evacuation and rejuvenation, the 101st Calgary Stampede 2013 is happening.  Here are the “must-haves” and “nice to haves” to fit in with the locals while in Calgary for Stampede July 5 to 14^th .

 

DO Dress Up … don’t be caught off guard like many visiting businesspeople do every year coming to Calgary during Stampede – wearing a business suit and sticking out that practically screams “not from these here parts”.  It is the one time of the year when a CEO looks like a Cowboy, and visitors blend in with local citizens.  What you need are the basics:

a.    Cowboy Boots – not everyone gets the royal treatment like 2011’s Parade Marshalls Prince William and Princess Kate or this year’s Chris Hadfield’s custom boots.  The best place to find them is The Alberta Boot Companyhttp://www.albertaboot.com/ For 34 years, Alberta Boot Company has outfitted Royalty, movie stars, entertainers, celebrities, athletes, public figures, religious leaders, and ordinary people from all over the world who are intrigued by the mystique of the Wild West!

 
b.    Jeans – Levis, Lee, Wrangler or designer jeans – whatever is your taste.  The best place to find that worn in look is at any of the 4 Value Village locations in Calgary,  Hours: Mon-Sat 9-9 | Sun 10-6.  Besides finding hoot’n’hollerin duds, you are supporting charities:  Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, and Canadian Living Foundation http://www.valuevillage.com/

           

                      

  i.    104-58th Ave SE

   ii.    3405-34th St NE

 iii.    5720 Silver Springs Blvd NW #28

 iv.    Unit #1, 240 Midpark Way SE 

 

c.    Cowboy Hat – It doesn’t matter whether you don a Fedora, Stetson, Straw, or Canvas Hat, one size does not fit all!  They’re handy to have to ward off the heat or rain showers and the best place to find yours is SmithBiltHats http://www.smithbilthats.com/.  One of the biggest honors bestowed upon visitors and a symbol of Calgary hospitality is the “White Hat”  Ceremony.  The white hat has been cheered along with numerous celebrities and dignitaries on their visits to the city since the 1950s.  To book your white hat ceremony, email whitehat@tourismcalgary.com or look up the website http://www.visitcalgary.com/meetings/how-we-can-help/white-hat-ceremony

 

Adopting the hat as your signature piece, also means you must accept the responsibility of hat etiquette. Your uniqueness extends not only to you choice of headwear, but to mind your manners as well.

         

i.    Promptly remove your hat upon entering an elevator, restaurant, or someone’s home.

ii.    Never wear your hat during a meal.

iii.    Touch the brim of your hat lightly when greeting a friend.

iv.    Raise the hat by the crown when meeting a female friend in public.

v.    Remove your hat during the national anthem and place it over your heart.

 

d.    Belt Buckle – You don’t need one to blend in, however, it is nice to know the significance of the Belt Buckle as you see them as a fashion statement or a statement period.  Cowboy belt buckles originated in Hollywood, California and they weren’t worn by the cowboys on the range, they were worn by the cowboy stars of the silver screen during the 30s and 40s while Westerns were one of the most popular movie genres.  One famous cowboy in particular, John Wayne, was given one to him by director Howard Hanks for his performance in “Western Red River” (1948). 

Trophy belt buckles first appeared in the 1920s and were awarded as prizes.  Eventually, they became the rodeo equivalent of an Olympic Medal.  Over the years they got more valuable and elaborate with the event name, year and winner’s name engraved on them.

"Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable.  Style is more about being yourself."

~OSCAR DE LA RENTA

 

   e.    ENSEMBLE – If you don’t have time to shop or less inclined to, there are western retailers to help you giddy up with yur get up!  The most well-known is Lammle’s Western Wear with six locations Calgary :https://www.lammles.com/index.php/osCsid/fe8qcgdi99062bmt6n87p1pp05

 

i.      Downtown (Stephen Avenue Mall) –       211 – 8^th Avenue S.W.

ii.    Chinook Center – 6455 Macleod Trail S.

iii.    Willow Park Village - #3 575 10816                      MacLeod Trail S

iv.    Shawnessy – 230, 350 Shawville Blvd S.E.

v.    Crowfoot Village -- Unit 6, 98 Crowfoot Terrace NW

vi.    Market Mall -- 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW

 

 f.      LADIES: For you Buckeroos that want to help your Cowgirl put a stomp on fashion, help is on the way.  Like the previous advice, you can stampede your way and fit in splendidly.  However, most women like a feminine approach that both blends in and stands out.  Yeesh, says the fellas.

 

     i.  CASUAL:   Halter top, T, jean shorts and cowboy boots and hat.

     ii. FEMININE:  Flowered dress with jean jacket, cowboy boots and hat.

                 iii.  ADORN: Put the glitz hats, boots with sequins, studs, lace and feathers to make a personalized statement!

                 iv.  GUYS:  Impress her with a turquoise set of earrings, bangles, necklace or ring (bonus points: ALL)

                   v. MORE IDEAS:  Check out my Stampede 2013 Board on Pinterest for many more style options: http://pinterest.com/optioneerjm/boards/

 Now folks, you are all ready to hoot’n’holler with the best of them there Calgarians -- disguised as cowboys and cowgirls!  http://cs.calgarystampede.com/

"I want to be a Texan 24 hours a day"

~JAMES DEAN