AIBU to go to a hen party but not dress up for the theme?

If you share the theme perhaps people can help with ideas, you can borrow something or look on Vinted. I personally think if you’re choosing to attend an event like a hen, you have to make some effort

Make yourself a hat? https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dLhx-BMMx6U

I'm another one who is shamelessly curious as to what you mean by not being able to order a hat online. Do you have an inordinately small or big head? That wouldn't be accommodated by buying a child's size or a large size?

Vinted? Jeans/denim skirt, shirt tucked in or tied in the middle (extra points for checked), triangle of material around your neck as a bandana scarf type thing, legit any boots....even without a hat that's something! Could you put your hair in braids with ribbons like this?

For more glam, do you have a gingham/plaid dress which you could team with a leather belt - or skirt which you can pair with a pretty top & belt? Forgo the cowboy hat and wear a neckerchief/bandana in your hair instead? Any boots could go with this. Or something like this...Cowgirl costume

Oh just buy a hat and that’s all you need to do. Bonus if you have anything fringed, denim , suede or checked but really just wear something fairly plain with a cheap cowboy hat.

Straight skirt, any colour. If it’s going to be scrapped afterwards fringe the hem with scissors.. t shirt or denim shirt. Some sort of neckerchief scarf — just a square of fabric folded will do though charity shops always have scarves.
Kids cowboy type hat, just wear it hanging by the elastic.
Trainers. Who looks at your feet and you’ll be comfortable.

amzn.eu/d/09RSaoui

Just go on amazon and order cow girl accessories

Neck scarf, hat. Where it round your neck if your head isn't "mainstream "

Jeans, t shirt and flip flops

Your head can't be that unusually small or unusually large can it?

@Janiie

Why must the OP have a pair of denim shorts?

Not trying to be difficult, but I don't own any shorts at all, denim or otherwise. Likewise I don't own any checked shirts as I don't wear shirts either.

I didn't go to a hen party years ago because we were told to wear black only. I don't wear black clothes either, and I couldn't afford to buy a new outfit, never to wear it again.

EBay .. always loads of clothes on there. Plus message out to friends .. you would be suprised at how many people have a fancy dress Stetson

Take a look at Facebook Marketplace. Every time I think I need to buy something that I'm not going to need to use often, I look on there and someone nearby is usually selling something appropriate. Even if it's fast fashion or cheap items, it's better to re-use than buy new.

Post on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group – most are great for this kind of thing. Or download the Olio app. People are always offloading fancy dress, or will happily give it away if you put a request out.

Cowboy is great, you will most likely have something already, just jeans and a top (if you have a white t-shirt and a checked shirt perfect!) with some kind of party hat (party supply shop, home bargains etc.) if it doesn't fit your head just hang it around your neck at the back. I promise, a couple of photos and that will be it, once the drinks start flowing nobody will care at all,

Do you not own a pair of jeans @ncob?

If you don't own a check shirt I would look in the men's section of the charity shops. You might have more luck there.

I'm struggling to understand why you can't find a cowboy hat to fit. I have a small head, so would probably order one for an older child or teenager. Most hats are huge.

I would just wear trainers. I certainly wouldn't be spending £££ on a pair of cowboy boots that I will never wear again.

I'm not a fan of themed parties/hen dos/weddings TBH. And I hate it when people always suggest that it's for the photos. A celebration is not just about the photos, and I'm quite happy not to be in any.

Jeans,
cheap stetson (hang it down your back if it doesn't fit.
If you want more 'sexy' large checked or plain white shirt that opens at the top to show a bit of cleavage open the bottom few buttons and knot them at the waist.
cute little neck bandana

Jesus with Taylor swift concerts vinted and ebay are full of stuff especially now her concerts were at the weekend

Must own a pair of denim shorts?

I may be lucky where I live but if I posted on my local Facebook group, I'm fairly sure people would happily donate an item or two of cowgirl fancy dress.

Shoes are probably the least important item.
If you've got something in tan suede/leather wear those but don't worry about that too much.
Your top half will be more important 🤠

I’m glad you feel okay with exploiting vulnerable people (probably children) in third world countries for their slave labour to make items cheap enough for you to wear once, then throw out into landfill where it will be until well after your children’s grandchildren die.

Others of us feel a sense of responsibility to future generations and acknowledge that we cannot continue to fill finite land space with landfill just to wear a cowboy hat for 3 hours when we don’t even want to.

But OP, as others have said - jeans that you already own, denim shorts or denim skirt if you want to glam it up a bit, hair in bunches or plaits and any shirt tied around your waist (or with a white tee or vest underneath if you don’t want to show your midriff). And a neckerchief if you can fashion one with something you already own.

Even if you fast fashion part of it (given need for next day delivery), then all that should be wearable in a different context or appealing enough it should sell in a charity shop.

Everything is wrong with fast fashion. Nothing is right with it. But there are PLENTY of other options for OP here (Vinted, Marketplace etc will have everything she needs).

I'd make the effort. Buy a hat and get a gingham or checked shirt that you can tie at the midriff (charity shop?) and just use wellies. Decorate them maybe?

There should be loads of people looking to offload cowboy hats after Taylor swift concerts or buy a cheap one. Then I'd just wear denim jeans, long boots and ideally a checked shirt or any shirt if you haven't got one.