The migration west bring us the iconography of cowboy culture that we associate with that rugged movement. Of course the cowgirl was a part of that time as well, but few of these stories are really popularly well known. However they had a great impact on developing the wild west.

A cowgirl costume is really a generalization of the basic concept of the clothing that was once worn in the southwest and western parts of the United States. It is a stereotypical image that is based on historical pictures. When you see the outfit, you simply know they are a cowgirl. Just like when you see an American Indian, you recognize the iconic image.

The cowgirl costume we readily recognize usually had the typical wide brimmed hat that was used to keep the sun out of their eyes and the rain from hitting their face. Then there is the button up the front shirt with a traditional collar. Sometimes there are fancy darts on the yoke of the shirt. You see this more in the rodeo style outfits.

Of course you have to have the leather chaps that kept the dust off your pant legs but more importantly they kept branches from tearing your leg and clothing, protected you from chafing while being in the saddle all day, and kept the rope from burning your leg when you lassoed a steer and they fought back.

Often you can find cowgirl costumes with the traditional colors of muted browns and dark blacks, but there are those whimsical variations of bright pink or cow print. You can even find some really sexy cowgirl costumes as well.

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The most common accessories you will find with this type of outfit are the lasso and the gun with holster strapped across the hip. Sometimes you can add the sheriff star to the front of your shirt too. This gives you the authority to gun the bad guys down in the standoff like the OK corral.

Available Cowgirl Costume Sizes

If you want to get the most out of your cowgirl costume, or any other Halloween costume, be sure that you order the correct size. You should be extra carful you are trying for the tight sexy look. The child cowgirl costumes range in size from infant, to toddler to teen.

The one size fits all tend to be a little looser fitting and not nearly as tailored to your body type. But if you follow the guidelines on the costume selection, the feedback has been positive about the fit.

Remember to get your accessories like cowboy boots and the revolver and holster. Sometimes the hats and chaps are also sold separately so be sure to read what actually comes with your purchase and what you need to add to your order.

Cowgirl Background information

Cowboys are often the more popular image that you see in the Wild West, however there were plenty of cowgirls doing the same things back in those days. It was a hard life then and even today there are women living the life on ranches, in rodeos, and driving cattle across the West.

The can spend weeks out on the range sleeping on the hard earth while by day they herd and over watch the precious cattle. You cant drive the cattle too fast otherwise they loose weight. And since the cows are valued on how heavy they are at market, well to lose weight is a bad thing.

Here is a Cowgirl Chicks video that I found and it seems to really portray the modern day Cowgirl:

Cowgirl TV Shows and Movies

One of my favorite movies showing the individuality and the strength of the cowgirl (as opposed to the damsel in distress that you find in most western films) is the movie The Quick and the Dead. Where the fabulous Sharon Stone meets up with and competes against other famous actors in their gunslinger costumes. She plays opposite Gene Hackman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe and several others.

Then if you want to go back to the time when westerns were all the rage, you would find the Annie Oakley TV series in the mid 1950s. This was an epic western show about the sharpshooter Annie Oakley whom was born in 1860 and lived until 1926. She is most famous for her participation in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

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Similar costumes

If you plan to go out in a group or just as a couple for Halloween or for a themed party, the cowgirl costume has many companions. Obviously other cowboys are a good match, but you could also do an Indian Brave or maybe an old type saloon bar keep. Even a horse costume would work.

With a gunslinger outfit, every child (or adult) can dream about what it would be like in the times of the Wild West.  Whether you are getting ready for Halloween or are going to a themed party where you need to dress up like a gunslinger, you can find several options of costumes.

You might want to dress up like a villain in all black with the duster jacket and cowboy hat, gun holsters slung over your hips and the handle bar mustache curled up over a villainous sneer.  A pair of cowboy boots some jeans and big belt buckle and you are half way there with the gunslinger outfit.  Just add a few details.

Or maybe you are the hero type with bravado and swagger you can bust through the saloon doors to save the honor of your favorite maiden in her saloon girl costume. In fact this makes a great couples combination.  If you are going to a party together, or just want to dress up with the kids for Halloween, then make it fun for everybody and do a themed dress up.

There are several gunslinger outfit choices for you too.  My favorite is the Wandering Gunman costume that reminds me of Clint Eastwood dressed as a gunslinger.

He seems to be the iconic cowboy for me.  Of course there are others like John Wanye that I liked too. But it doesn’t really matter if you are the good guy or the bad bandit, there are numerous costume selections to help you get the look that you want.

Click Here To Find A Great Gunslinger Outfit.

Just think of the fantasy you and/or your child can build.  Camping out on the open range just you and your horse, perhaps a few of your buddies.  Are you the cowboy herding cattle or maybe a bank bandit on the run.  Walking down the street with your spurs jangling and your hand on your revolver you stand off against your adversary in a quick draw to the death.  Bang, Bang, Bang!  You are the fastest gunslinger in the west, they had no chance!

I loved playing a gunslinger when I was a kid, in fact the westerns are still some of my favorite movies.  Even the more modern films like for instance,  Cowboys & Aliens.  That is a very popular movie this year and You could very easily modify a gunslinger outfit to be like Daniel Craig or Harrison Ford in this movie.