<p>I must confess that DH has relatives in the Southwest who attend rodeos and I have been to a few over the years - never dressed appropriately, I’m afraid. That said, I have a few words of advice:</p>
<p>Boots? Certainly. But they will be hot! Think about what socks you’re going to wear.</p>
<p>Jeans? I wouldn’t. We’re all different but I find jeans very hot in hot weather. I’d go with a skirt or dress - with the boots it could look quite charming.</p>
<p>Mostly, you need to think about the hat - to go for it or not? I’m not a hat kind of gal but do confess to wearing a “cowboy” hat to my last rode because a baseball cap looked out of place and I was tired of being sun burned.</p>
<p>Now, here are just a few suggestions although others on here are light years beyond me with the online shopping –</p>
<p>And gosh, if I were a young gorgeous trophy wife, I’d wear some kind of muted plaid pencil skirt and a white polo with the cowboy boots. If it were Texas. But it’s not and I’m not. So I wouldn’t.</p>
<p>I’d still wear the cowboy boots. They are really good in case of horses stepping on your feet.</p>
<p>sewhappy, I didn’t mean you AT ALL. My deep apologies. I just meant ME. That if I were a trophy wife, which I am totally not, that’s the kind of thing I would like to wear. I always joke that I have dreams of my fashion alter-ego. My alter-ego wears Versace too, something I wouldn’t be caught dead in.</p>
<p>In my real life I’m usually in navy blue. Or shorts. Or pyjamas. Or at most a little black dress. So I was really joking about myself. So sorry that was not communicated. I would never want to be that rude.</p>
<p>OK…so I watched Somethings Gotta Give last night…I know it’s a bit old (2003) but I thought Diane Keaton looked fabulous. I want that black dress she wore out to dinner…after I lose a few pounds of course :)</p>
<p>And why do old fat guys get away with it? Like Jack for example. In the movie, he’s got gorgeous 20-somethings falling over him. Not fair!</p>
<p>End of rant…back to our regularly scheduled programming…</p>
<p>Re: old fat guys getting away with it–
Clothing often works in their favor. Many men have sizeable ‘pots,’ but they’re usually well-hidden under sport coats, suits jackets and blazers. </p>
<p>I used to wear blazers with jeans a lot back in the 80’s when I was young and skinny. May start doing so again now that I am neither. I always liked that look.</p>
<p>And a twist to the older guy/young girl thing–</p>
<p>I just ran into the brother of an old HS classmate who I haven’t seen in years. She was always very attractive, and into yoga and holistic health. Anyway, he said she just recently got married for the first time - at age 49. Her new husband is 26!</p>
<p>I know Alumother was only thinking about those rodeo styles in terms of herself - I don’t think there’s a kinder, more generous poster here on CC. </p>
<p>Sewhappy’s rodeo looks would be absolutely adorable on a petite woman with a funky style, but would not suit the lankier and more tailored among us. I see many fashion looks that I love, but could or would not wear. The first rule of fashion is “know thyself,” a thought still relevant after all these years!</p>
<p>I just got back from out of town - many thanks for all the additional western wear suggestions and advice. Some very cute stuff in the links! </p>
<p>I checked the schedule of events and it looks like the rodeo itself will be in the evening, rather than the heat of the day. Temps are generally high when the sun is out, but drop quickly in the evening, so it should be comfortable. I am convinced that boots are the way to go for footwear. As for the hat, during the day, I could justify as a sunscreen, but that’s less the case at night. We’ll see - a hat would be a fun souvenir, though. </p>
<p>BTW, definitely not a trophy wife, alumother, though I am suspiciously fond of both polo shirts AND plaid (not necessarily limited to that combination, though).</p>
<p>Thanks G-Mom for your kindness here. I’ve been feeling badly about this today. I know I sort of showed back up on the CC scene, after radio silence, so I’m maybe out of practice in forums, or else I just take for granted that people know I like wisecracks and I get a little indulgent, amusing myself. I hope we are all OK and can carry on in the shared hunt for dressing young, each of us in our own styles:). I, personally, have been in pyjamas most of the day, except when I dressed up in capri Nike tights to take a walk…</p>
<p>I see that I must have missed something while I was gone, but want to say that it can sometimes be tough to convey nuance on posts like these, where there is no body language or tone of voice to provide context. So much gets lost or misunderstood. I’ve certainly had that happen. Now back to our regularly scheduled fashion programming!</p>
<p>Yes! Fashion programming! I’m currently craving wedges. Shoes. But I can’t wear them with a heel rise more than 2.5 inches above the ball of the foot. Anyone have any favorites?</p>
<p>Alumother has a fashion blog - well worth checking. Good stuff. it is linked to her CC profile.</p>
<p>I have a parallel life as well. In that life, I’m a Eastern European mail order bride who wears Valentino and easily wins the infamous High Heel Race. IRL, I wear much more practical stuff because (i) I cannot afford Valentino; and (ii) Valentino clothes are not Metro bus friendly… Wait… If I were rich enough to afford Valentino, I would not be riding those nasty Metro buses, LOL!
Alumother, are you craving “dressy” wedges or casual ones? All major department stores are clearing out their designer stuff, and there are some good deals, but the pickings are rather slim because everything sold like hotcakes! Recession? What is that?</p>
<p>If I finally figure out how to post links on this dang phone, I will post a few to some of my dream wedges.</p>
<p>Reporting from the beaches of Oahu: everyone and their mother wear either a cute tankini or a two pice suit! Only people who look clearly over 60 (or competitive swimmer types) wear a one piece suit. So I’m perfectly OK with my Tommy Bahama stuff here on Oahu! However, I saw very few guys in Speedos :D</p>
<p>Bunsen - please tell me you left your 4" heels at the hotel when you were wearing your Tommy Bahama bikini. I know you like to vacuum with them on, but the sand is a no-no.</p>
<p>Another fashion question/challenge… I’m headed off to Las Vegas for business next week. 8-4 I’m in meetings, so I know pretty much what I’ll be wearing. But for my leisure time, how do the tourists dress in L.V.? I’m not planning any particularly fancy outings, but don’t want to stand out like a sore thumb either. Is it more like NYC where you can get by with something black for almost any occasion or more like Florida where pastels/florals are more common?</p>
<p>Just returned from H’s college reunion. Talk about ?? Johnny Appleseed. Do they even have that catalog anymore? Most of the coeds and wives looked like they bought their clothes at the Vermont Country Store. I wore Navy Gap skinny cords (NOT super skinny, just straight, fitted, waisted at the hip) with a tucked in long sleeve Polo. Navy blue driver mocs. I was practically getting glares… Just because I’m 54 doesn’t mean that I have to dress like the party’s over, right?</p>
<p>Hey Ladies (assuming most here on this thread are…), while I have been mostly a “lurker” on this thread, wanted to say all your discussion and input prompted me to purchase my first pair of “skinny” jeans - white jeans - actually they are just above the ankle and can be rolled up, if you prefer to shorter length - but I love the “crop” length. Wearing them right now with a cute peasant neck green top, with a green tank underneath, fun glass necklace and black patent leather sandal flats - gotta say…CUTE!</p>
<p>One thing I’ve been trying to do is to beef up my jewerly collection. The same clothes in your closet can get new life when you have some new accessories!</p>
<p>Re: Vegas. Think tshirt with “I’m with Stupid” and an arrow on the front. Shorts everywhere since hot as hell, but then freeze in the casinos. I’ve had 2 trips there recently. VERY casual except for fanciest restaurants.</p>
<p>abasket - that does sound cute. I tried on some J. Crew chinos, cropped to the ankle, in lavender, they were adorable but not on me. Too long-waisted. Dang.</p>
<p>BB - Thanks for what is now known as the “shout out.”:). I’m thinking casual wedges. Remembering the cork and rope-soled shoes of my youth, I guess.</p>
it is linked to her CC profile.</p>
IRL, I wear much more practical stuff because (i) I cannot afford Valentino; and (ii) Valentino clothes are not Metro bus friendly… Wait… If I were rich enough to afford Valentino, I would not be riding those nasty Metro buses, LOL!