Cowboy and Cowgirl Costumes

Annie Oakley. Wyatt Earp. Jessie James. Calamity Jane.  Who can forget the legendary stars of the big screen?  The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, John Wayne, or the multitudes of others?  Seen as real-life heroes by many.  Considered ruthless, bloodthirsty outlaws by others.  They are all unforgettable.  Some of them were the rebels of a long past era, refusing to conform and sometimes paying for it.  Romanticized, admired, and envied, everybody loves a Cowboy. Why not embrace your inner hero or rebel this Halloween and emulate your favorite?

These icons of history are often a popular Halloween costume for choice for people of all ages. The costumes are easy to pull together with a few essential pieces. The looks can be simple as a pair of cowboy boots, jeans, a plaid shirt, and a hat. They can also be all out authentic, right down to the last detail of the six-shooter snugged at the hip in a holster.  For the Cowboy or Cowgirl costume, the possibilities are endless.

Cowgirl Costume for Women and Girls

The Cowgirl costume is an easy to DIY outfit for your Halloween celebrations. This look will work for girls of all ages. The ladies who want a racier look for their Cowgirl outfit can do so with some modifications and a little sass.

All you need to pull this costume together is already in your home-outside of a few pieces. Start your masterpiece out with your favorite pair of comfortable jeans. Don’t have a pair of jeans you want to use? Slip into a cute denim mini skirt, or a knee length A line number.

Cowgirl Skirt

Next, you’ll need a Western-inspired shirt. This can be denim, flannel, printed, checked, whatever you like. You can add a little extra eye-catching pizazz to your shirt by visiting a craft store. Pick up a length of fringe trim to match your shirt. Most true Western styled shirts will have a v shaped yoke between the shoulders at the back. Glue your swingy fringe to this yoke using a glue gun and some glue sticks. You can also add the same fringe to the front seams right above the breast pockets. If you really want to go all out, you can even run the fringe along the back seat of both sleeves. Embrace the diva in you by including some sparkling rhinestones to your fringes.

Ladies Western Shirt

For accessories for your costume, you’ll need the essential cowboy (or in this case, cowgirl) hat. Add a gigantic buckle to your favorite belt.  Other great props include a pistol or shotgun to carry. If you’ve opted to wear jeans for the evening, a pair of chaps will add an interesting and authentic touch.   Dollar stores and Halloween costume shops will have everything you’ll need. To finish pulling your costume together, don’t forget a pair of western style boots. Add a hobby horse to “ride” around for the course of your celebrations. This will bring a few smiles to the faces of your fellow party goers and friends.

Hobby Horse

 Cowboy Costume for Men and Boys

Pull this Cowboy costume together in a flash with everyday clothing pieces. The guys will love this look because its hassle free and inexpensive. It’s also a costume that will work for toddlers (with some substitutions) right on up to the big boys.

Grab a pair of well-worn denim pants to get this costume started. Next, you will need a simple leather belt with the biggest belt buckle you can get your hands on. Find novelty belt buckles online. Halloween costume shops will also have them.  Another good place to look for these belt buckles will be flea markets or swap meets.

Western Belt Buckle

The shirt for your Cowboy look should have some Western styling. A basic button-down shirt will be fine as well.   Secondhand stores will have a good selection of Western styled shirts to choose from. You can even find some of the color blocked Western styles popular during the 90’s. You might be able to get your hands on a satiny number with the trademark fringe and mother of pearl buttons. Complement your shirt with a leather or leather look vest. A good choice to help take this costume up a notch is to slip into a western style Duster coat. A pair of broken in cowboy boots will round out this part of your outfit.

Duster

Accessories for this Cowboy costume are tons of fun. Of course, you’ll need the cowboy hat, but there are many other pieces to add to this ensemble. Grab a colorful bandana and tie it around your neck in a triangular fashion for a dust mask.  A bandolier style ammunition holder is a must have for the outlaw type Cowboys.  If you’d rather be on the right side of the law, pin a Sheriff badge to your chest. Other accessories include your rifle or pistol and holster, chaps, and jingling spurs. A final great added touch to this costume is some scruff on your face. If you’re clean shaven, this is a look that is easy to achieve. Check out dollar stores for fake whiskers or a moustache-or why not both? Pop a thin unlit cigar or matchstick into the corner of your mouth and you’re all set for the night. Younger cowpokes should forgo the cigar. Chomping on a wad on bubble gum for the night will be a great substitute for some chewing tobacco.

Holster

The Cowboy or Cowgirl outfit is a fantastic and versatile choice.  It is comfortable and classic.  This one will turn heads during any Halloween celebration.  You can go solo and be a loner for the evening, or double up and be a duo like Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Couples can show up as Frank Butler and Annie Oakley, or Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. Get a group going and be the hit of the party as the James gang. Channel your inner range rider and pay homage to th