Jeans

Out west of the hundredth you can tell a lot about a person by his jeans. Some prefer Levis while others wouldn’t be caught dead wearing anything but Wranglers and then there is a scattering of those addicted to Lees. Some poor souls might even cheap out for one of those generic brands that crop up from time to time. Regardless of the brand you can spot a real westerner and maybe even his line of work by the way he wears those jeans.

            Granted that with the growth of urbanization the traditional blue dyed canvas work clothing has morphed into the designer realm. City slickers can be found wearing jeans with all manner of rhinestone embellishments, cut low over the hips to expose the midriff, or just about anything else you could imagine. Out in the heartland though snug fitting jeans with boot cut pant legs are the norm. In that world the George Strait look with a pair of well creased jeans topped by a snow white western style shirt, and polished boots remains the height of fashion.

            Nothing feels better than an old pair of jeans washed so many times that they have turned pale and even at times a bit on the white side. Those are soft to the touch and have developed a fit that conforms to the shape of their owner. Most times they are a bit frayed around the cuffs where they have dragged on the ground over time. Manufacturers have attempted to replicate that look in new clothing but it just doesn’t wash. Only time and long use can make that work.

            Regular folk go about their days work wearing them properly hanging on their hips secured by a sturdy belt usually closed with a large belt buckle. Dudes can be identified as poor uncomfortable devils trying to fit in by wearing clothes totally unsuited to their lifestyle. The “drug store cowboy” types are easily spotted by their new jeans usually belted too high up on the waist and secured by a really big buckle. Then of course there are the horse show types, especially the quarter horse people, who almost always look too spiffy with starched, knife edge creases, big white hats, and enough silver draped on their person to pay off the national debt.

            But when its all said and done there is something comforting about watching a couple of old guys wearing scuffed up boots and faded jeans leaning on the side of a pickup discussing the weather. Or that bevy of young girls in tight fitting jeans doing the Cotton Eyed Joe at the rodeo dance. Or some little guy with a wide smile on his face upon donning his first pair of real jeans. It has the feel of home.