Collection: Ariat

Western Wear is classic. It’s an identifiable look of clothing and footwear that says you are independent, you have strength, and you value your place in the heritage.

For more than 100 years, Western Wear has influenced clothing styles and culture across the world.

Here’s a small sample of western wear influence: the bandanas and neckerchiefs worn by bikers, made famous by Hollywood’s movie The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando? Where did those kerchiefs and bandanas come from? What are the roots of motorcycle movie Easy Rider? Western Wear.

Where did 1970s rock stars borrow the idea to wear a long scarf? Where did the bandana worn by the lead singer for the Guns ‘N’ Roses rock band in the 1990s come from? Western Wear.

The “cowboy look” is known from Australia to Azerbaijan, and from Zurich to Zengzhou. It’s still very popular in the 21^st Century. Wei’s Western wear fulfills customer wishes by sending parts of its legendary selection not only across Canada and the USA, but also to Asia Pacific and Europe.

Want to know why one shirt costs $29 and another shirt costs $89 or more? The difference is likely in the design as well as the quality of the material. The design elements of a Western shirt are influenced by practical considerations such as fit and comfort.  The quality of material needs no mention, you can feel the difference when you come in-store.  If you are shopping online, look for 100% cotton or blends from your favourite brands, including Wrangler, Ariat, Cinch, or more.

Western shirt design features may include snaps instead of buttons – why? Because snaps come off in an instant, with one hand, and won’t get hung up on something at the wrong moment.

When you’re hanging onto a galloping horse, a split second can make a big difference.

Besides practicality, let’s face it, snaps are cool.

Most snaps can be pearly white or black. Some brands such as Scully are known for intricate designs on their snaps. Many of the Scully shirts carried by Wei’s are works of art.

A longer cuff with more snaps or buttons is more stylish and formal.

The more buttons or snaps on a cuff, the more fitted the cuff will be on your wrist and arm. You would not want to fasten and unfasten several buttons on each arm. Snaps would be much easier.

A regular cuff, especially with just one button, is more casual. The number of buttons or snaps also impacts the price.

Whether you’re working on the farm, in the trades, in the field or in a shop, driving a truck, or working in a retail store like Wei’s, denim is the default. Of course if you’re working at home anything goes, so why not go for the easy comfort of Western wear? Keep it simple. 

The core of Western wear is jeans. Denim provides warmth and protection, and styles have pockets for your necessities.the heavier fabric weights are pretty rugged. In fact, Wei’s has your denim needs covered for all 4 seasons with jeans from lightweight 9 oz all the way up to heavyweight 14.25oz, which are pretty rugged. Most fabric weights have optional stretch fabric worn right in to provide ease of movement. Some fabric weaves including twill resist tearing and a ‘rip stop’ weave is made for rugged work. If you’re working in the field and insulation is on your mind, Wei’s has fleece denim styles from Carhartt and Wrangler to keep you toasty while you’re in the elements.   

Even at the office, ’blue jean Fridays” are common and jeans are given the ‘thumbs up’. There are very few workplaces where jeans are not welcome and did you know, most bosses even wear jeans!  So keep your Western pants handy, and get ‘em washed and dried. Don’t even think about ironing or dry-cleaning, because it’s just not needed. If you forgot your Western pants and shirt under a pile and they became more wrinkly than you’d like, let the clothes dryer be your friend. Just throw your clothes in, enjoy your coffee, come back and they’re done, and you’re ready. That’s part of the beauty of Western wear clothing. Keep it simple.

If you need to adhere to a ‘business casual’ rule, you can still bring Western style to your workplace. Wei’s has Western pants and shirts that meet the need for Western wear style. Our Wrangler Wranchers are a dressier poly pant that includes a crease, and come in several different colours. Wranchers look smart and they’re really comfortable, including a little stretch. Wei’s also carries Dickies lighter-weight pants that are great for warehouse or casual office work. Pair any of these with a Western belt and a great shirt, and you’re sticking to what’s true for you.

Have you been to Wei’s stores? When you come looking for a Western shirt, you might just be amazed are our rows and rows of Cinch, Ariat, Wrangler, Roper, Stetson, Panhandle Slim, Scully and more brands, in sizes from Small all the way to 5X in some styles. These brands have held true to their Western heritage and also brought in some modern touches and new clothing technologies. Wei’s stocks shirts in vibrant colours, modern designs and comfort-fitting fabrics while being unmistakably Western. It’s not your Grandpa’s Western wear anymore, unless you want it that way - we do have original fit shirts, traditional designs, and 100% cotton fabrics.

When you’re choosing from hundreds of shirts, you’re going to find some you like in the size you need in our legendary selection. These shirt styles are often seasonal, meaning the manufacturers have limited runs and re-ordering may not be possible. Shirt styles move quickly and ei’s is constantly trying to get new stock on our website, so please check back to see what’s new. We want you to have the shirt you want to show your Western style at work.

Ariat and Wrangler are two brands that have gone the extra mile, making Western fashion part of their Flame-Resistant shirt line-up. If you need FR, you can still have Western wear style. You’ll find these styles on our website, ready to be shipped to wherever you need them, at the camp or at the office.

There are really only two occasions - also known as work and play - and Western Wear suits both occasions. 

It’s not just cowboys who wear western wear. The vast majority of men and women own a pair of jeans (or two, or three) and a well-fitting long-sleeved shirt (or two, or three) that suits your personality. That’s the core of Western wear right there, almost from head to toe!

But it’s the accessories that make the difference, and identify you. What will take you to the cowboy groove is the boots and the hat. Yes - it’s really the footwear and headwear that make the difference! 

First, the feet. Remember, cowboy boots have moved beyond having only pointed styles, since not everyone can wear them. Cowboy boots come in square toed and rounded toed styles. Some boots get closer to ‘biker’ styles and that’s why several bookmakers like Canada West, Boulet, even the venerable Lucchese, make boot styles that are solid, and might be plain except for some metal adornments, and emphasize a square toe. 

At the other end of the spectrum, take a cowboy boot with a rounded toe and make it shorter, just above the ankle. Now you’ve got a ‘Romeo’ style, or the style of Blundstone boot that has been a trendsetter for decades. Yes, they have a few extras, such as a pull tab at the heel and some stretch fabric near to the ankle. These makers of short boots are pretty smart, making their boots easier to get on and get off. But at their core, you cold certainly argue it’s an offshoot of the family of cowboy boots. Bottom line, put on your jeans and shirt, then add your Blundstones or biker boots, and you’re pretty dang close to being a Westerner. 

Now, the top part - the hat. Let’s face it, almost everyone has the need for a hat at some time of the year. The weather kind of demands that we go beyond homie and parka head coverings to something amore substantial and stylish. A hat - you need a hat. The question is do you want to wear something called a beanie, or do you want to wear a hat that fits your head, covers your head? A real hat deserves to be in the sentence ‘from head to toe’ - hey, that’s your hat and boots.

No doubt about it, a traditional Western hat is a working hat. It’s not just the fit, and it’s not just the style, it’s the purpose-made shape of the hat, and the key is the brim. The brim of the hat is what covers your face and neck from the rain and snow and sun. The workers in the fields all over the world have traditionally had wide-brimmed hats, because the hat is a treasure of any person who works with their hands. Good busy working hard to wipe off the sweat or rain? No problem, your hat does that. Riding in he mountains, looking for gold, and your horse is getting thirsty? It’s also known as a bucket hat. Don’t get squeamish on us. 

Sure, the essential Cowboy hat style has been improved by adding a few well-placed holes to let some air circulate up there. And the brim could taper down, or curl up. It could be a 2.5 inch brim, or even a 3.5 inch brim. These are the functional questions anyone will ask (or might just think about).

Then, onto style. The hat can be pounced (shaped) in many ways to suit the personality of the hat wearer. A simple rounded top might suit some, but most hat wearers want a beveled top with one or two peaks, like a Stetson or a Serratelli. Want more of an adventurer look, or even a private eye kind of guy? Wei’s has you covered. Wei’s carries 10 different brands of Western hats, and any of them are good enough for a Cowboy. 

This is why Western-style hats are inherently superior to ball caps. There - we said it. Sure we still like ball caps but western hats are more functional and yep, they are much better-looking. Got a wet neck? You’ve probably been wearing a ball cap.

On a Saturday night when there’s a community dance, and the farm girls come out, it’s time for cowboys to shower and dress up. Clean and shine the boots with mink oil. Put on fresh socks that are tall enough so cowboy boots will not chafe your calves. Wei's has Schaefer boots socks and other brands that are made for the purpose. Some cowboys tuck their pants inside their boots, like a traditional soldier’s attire. Clean jeans, a good-looking belt and a big buckle. A western shirt. Sometimes a cravat, now often called a wild rag, which absorbs sweat at the neck and accentuates your head.