A Brief Look Into The Legend And The Clothing Of Buffalo Bill Cody

When you think of the clothing of Buffalo Bill Cody, you may conjure up images of elaborate Wild West shows of a bygone era. These shows were very important to many people in that time. The Wild West shows allowed the spectator a chance to live the Old West vicariously through its participants. However, this is only a part of the story of William F Cody.
William entered this world from Iowa in the year 1846. By the time he is 11 years old he was herding cattle and working on a wagon train across the prairies. At the tender age of 13 William traveled to seek his fortune in the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. However, this did not turn out to be lucrative, so within a year he was riding horses on the famous mail delivery system known as the Pony Express.
Riding the Pony Express may seem like an exciting adventure to those with limited knowledge. In reality, it was an extremely hazardous job. One had no idea what kind of hidden danger lurked ahead, especially in the form of hostile Indians.
After a stint in the American Civil War, William took up the task of providing food for the United States army. This was done by hunting and killing the abundant buffalo living in the prairies. He is believed to have killed more than four thousand buffalo during a period of about eighteen months, and this was where he earned the nickname, "Buffalo Bill".
In 1868, William returned to what he did best, and was back to working as an army scout. In fact, he became chief scout. His brave exploits eventually earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. Although the medal was taken back, it was reissued to him, after consideration.
William achieved his notoriety through what was called the "dime novels" of the late Nineteenth Century. These Old Westnovels were gobbled up by people living in the East, as they were full of tales of excitement, adventure, and heroism.However, the authors of these novels often overlooked the fact that many of these adventures existed only within the vivid imaginations of motivated writers. Yet, this did not inhibit their popularity. In fact, they played a major role in enhancingthe romantic image of the Wild West.
By the time William ventured east to join a Ned Buntline Wild West show, he was already famous. Buntline was a well-known dime novel author of this time. This show was known as the "Scouts of the Prairie" and included famouspersonalities like Wild Bill Hickok. The shows traveled about thrilling audiences for an entire decade.
In 1883, William Cody decided to strike out on his own and started an elaborate extravaganza entitled"Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show". This was where the audience witnessed the Wild West coming to life right before their eyes. Williamsigned up Annie Oakley and he also employed one of the mostfamous and powerful Indian chiefs known, Sitting Bull.
Buffalo Bill can be seen with his fringed buckskin and wide brim hat at the Buffalo Bill Museum near Denver, Colorado. William's attire and all of the participants of his Wild West show brought a great deal of entertainment and realism to the people of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Not onlywas their clothing authentic, but so was the act. The audience could witness roping, riding and shooting, that could not be seen anywhere else. There also was an enormous cast featuring hundreds of participants. This was a circus like adventure on an amazingly large scale for this time period, and was seen in other countries also.
The clothing of Buffalo Bill Cody can be described as "ornate" and might beconsidered flashy by standards of years ago. However, it was the perfect addition to the legend. The sets and costumes are mostly responsible for the enormous amount of popularity that he managed to generate during his lifetime.
The clothing of Buffalo Bill Cody and the legend are so intertwined that they cannot be separated. If one is interested in obtaining realistic William Cody attire and becoming part of this legend, there are several online sources to check. Look for Victorian clothing or Old West clothing and you will find some excellent deals on clothes, boots, spurs, and all kinds of accessories.

Hints For Browsing In Western Antique Shops

Shopping with a Western antique seller is an increasingly popular pastime, for several reasons. First the market for western style paraphernalia and antiques has been on the rise for several years. Thus, investing in this type of item can pay off in the long run. Furthermore, this genre of collecting has lots of charm, which makes it ideal for decorating the home. In addition, you can find items in a wide range of price brackets. From vintage spurs and bridals to more expensive artist bronzes, there are items to suit just about every taste and budget.
Research is one of the most important steps if you want to be a successful antiques hunter. It is very worthwhile to educate yourself about the items you would like to buy. This can help you to be able to identify markings, styles and age. Importantly, research will also help you to know what items are worth. It is the best tool to help you with finding a bargain. Furthermore, there are many reproductions which are falsely advertised as old. Some preliminary research will help you to identify authenticity.
There are many different tools which can help you in research. The Internet is one of the most popular ways to collect information about antiques. The benefits are that it is free to use and also provides ample information which can be accessed at your leisure. A quick visit to an Internet auction site can give you a rough idea of current prices. However, you should remember that not all information you find will necessarily be accurate. Therefore, it is important to draw upon as many sources as possible.
There are a number of very popular blogs and websites devoted to collecting and hunting for old collectibles and antiques. These can be a useful place to get tips. Some even include search engines which allow you to find out the general value and background of items you are interested in.
Certainly, one of the main sources of Western style antiques is the area itself. The numerous shops and collector's malls in the area can be a great place to find many items all at once. However, even if you do not live in the area, there are still plenty of options available to you.
Some travelers are so interested in acquiring old Western style collectibles that they organize buying trips to the area. This is not only afunway to see local attractions andsights, it can help you to find items for your home. If planning a trip, do some preliminary research to assess the best spots to find the types of items you are most interested in.
In addition, even if you don't plan to visit the West, there are lots of ways to find collectibles from the region. Over time, lots of antique items have been passed through families to arrive in other parts of the nation. That is why you can find many Western style antiques throughout the country.
In addition, across the country there are a number of stores which specialize in the Western antique market. They are located from New York City to Arizona and have a network of collectors and sellers which trade items. The Internet has made it possible to source treasures from around the country. This is great news for those who are passionate about collecting.
Find a fabulous selection of Western antique apparel and accessories today! You can get the details you will need to choose collectibles and apparel from the Old West at http://www.riverjunction.com/One-of-a-Kind-Antique-and-Collectables_c_201.html now.

Authentic Old West Ranch Coats

To wear the Ranch Coat styles of yesteryear, many men who enjoy the look of cold weather old west coats are turning to historical clothing manufacturers. Many of these sturdy garments are made precisely in the style of their historic inspirations. Whether drawing inspiration from ranchers, business men, lawmen or rich cattle brokers, these period pieces continue to keep their owners protected from damp, rainy and cold days.

The Old West was actually comprised of three main style periods. These were the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian periods, with styles inspired by Europe. Throughout these eras, the styles remained quite similar, with practical lines and materials used to enhance their functions. In the Southwest, the Vaquero clothes worn by Mexican ranchers heavily influenced American ranchers too.

For basic ranch work, most cowhands wore dusters. These were overcoats made of canvas which served to keep the dust and wind off the cowboy. These garments were useful, with long sleeves and collars which kept the arms and face protected on windy and cold days. The back pleat opened for riding on horseback.

A wool frock style was worn for evening wear. It hemmed at just below the knees, keeping gentlemen warm in cold weather. It was so popular that men often wore it during the day as well. Its tailoring included metal buttons on the front to bring a bit of shine for social events.

The Callahan frock was a longtime silhouette for men's apparel. This item of clothing was equally worn out-of-doors on the ranch and in town while socializing. It featured notched lapels and extra stitching on the back. Covered buttons made of matching fabric were used to keep a sleek look. Paired with a shirt, vest, canvas pants, a bow tie and a gambler style hat, this was the classic rich rancher's wear.

Sheriffs and riflemen were known to carry rifles covered up by their classic rifle coats. These were long to completely cover their clothing and their weapons. Many wore these year round as the fabrics were generally light enough to work for different seasons. Extra inner clothes helped the garment to transition through colder days.

With a full set of dress clothes worn underneath, the Coburn Great Coat was the perfect over garment. This wool coat was measured to fall below the knees. It featured a cowl attached at the neck which served as a cold weather cape. Made for keeping warm, these items kept many men warmer throughout the Old West times.

An authentic Ranch Coat is still hugely popular today. The practical fabrics and attractive styling makes these times perfect for menswear. Enjoy dressing in the styles of yesteryear with one of these handsome garments.

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Looking At Post Civil War Ladies Fashions

Looking At Post Civil War Ladies Fashions

During the late 1800s, women took their fashion seriously and for many reasons. For some women, the struggle to get fabrics and other necessities for dressmaking was challenging. For others, being too far from their home country and dress resources made staying in style a difficult task.

Day dresses were common garments in every woman's wardrobe during this time period. The average woman had a couple of day dresses in addition to one they wore out for shopping or visiting. Sunday church dresses were only worn on Sundays. Petticoats and pantalets were undergarments while cover and privacy slips were standard as well. 

Wealthy women during this era were known for splendid ball gowns. Silk and taffeta were popular choices of fabric for formal gowns. Corsets and wide hoop petticoats were fashionable, especially in the South. Dress hoops took five yards of fabric to make and used whalebone as supporting structures. White gloves and dainty lace-up boots were the style with all dress including formal wear.

Dressing for inclement weather was part of making a fashion statement during this era as well. Parasols for keeping sun or drizzling rain away or the ever-fashionable bonnets were used as measures for the weather and as stylish accessories. Jewelry and accessories were lockets and flowers most of the time, especially in the latter year or so of the war. Many women placed a lock of hair from a loved inside their lockets, especially the hair of their soldier sweethearts or family members.

Women’s hairstyles were kept in place with hair pomades and oils, and often times by wearing a snood or bun cover. Women parted their hair on top straight down the middle, where it would fall down over their ears in a smooth, waved, or braided pattern. It was then styled in back by pinning the rolled piece of hair or bun resting low on the back of the neck.
Shoes worn with dresses were in many cases the same for both everyday and formal, especially for women that were not wealthy. However, the war caused this to be so for many wealthy women as well. European style lace-up boots were the greatest fashion, but many women were forced to wear the uncomfortable styles made with coarser materials due to financial strains caused by the war.
Overall, despite the trials and tribulations women during this era went through, they dressed in stylish presentation and were always graceful about taste. Many women today would not have the patience to get dressed in the late-1800 ways with tightening corsets and measuring the number of hoops you would need for a particular dress. Learning more about post Civil War ladies fashions can also allow you to learn more about the persona and strength of the women during and after the Civil War.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860s_in_fashion

Looking At Post Civil War Ladies Fashions


Wealthy women during this era were known for splendid ball gowns. Silk and taffeta were popular choices of fabric for formal gowns. Corsets and hoops were fashionable, especially in the South. Dress hoops took five yards of fabric to make and used whale bone as supporting structures. White gloves and dainty lace up boots were the style with all dress including formal wear.