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Original poster

Turning cowgirl at 44

149 replies

WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 02:58

Hello there, so I’m 44 and currently on holiday in the US.

I discovered a store called Cavender’s and seem to be in the process of buying everything in it. So far I have bought myself cowboy boots, I’ll add a pic; a saddle bag; Rockin C torn jeans; Wrangler western T shirts…think cowboy hats and rodeo horses on the front in creams and browns; a plaid shirt and I’m seriously debating a small brimmed cowboy hat. Obviously I wouldn’t wear all of this together.

I’m in pretty good shape; size 10 UK, tallish and still keep my hair long and get told I don’t look 44…but…is this going to be acceptable or look a bit odd? Am I going to look like a stylish western country girl…or like I’m having a midlife crisis. Perhaps I should abandon the hat idea?

I have 30 days returns and am here for another 12 days.

Thoughts appreciated!

Turning cowgirl at 44
OP posts:
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11
FluffyWabbit · 10/08/2025 03:00

Very cute in the USA but I'm not sure how it will be received in the UK.

Different culture, more conservative and no organic cowboys/girls who share the Western style, AFAIK.

But, that aside, if you like the stuff, wear it!

Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 03:05

I absolutely love it! Love the look. Love new country. Love riding. If I won the lottery, I’d definitely buy a ranch.

But yep…worried I’ll look insane back in the UK.

OP posts:
FluffyWabbit · 10/08/2025 03:08

WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 03:05

I absolutely love it! Love the look. Love new country. Love riding. If I won the lottery, I’d definitely buy a ranch.

But yep…worried I’ll look insane back in the UK.

There is a certain freedom of expression in the US that is lacking in the UK and you can easily get swept away once you get to experience the thrill.

I think you should be brave! Wear your boots with some nice jeans and a Western shirt. Wear it to the pub in autumn, why not?

Maybe you'll be a trendsetter! 🍻

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Clothing
TwinklyNight · 10/08/2025 03:10

Find a place in the UK for line dancing?

Faineante · 10/08/2025 03:12

Just go with your instincts. Even if some (or all) of the things don’t seem to work for your home wardrobe they’ll be great souvenirs of your trip.

(I remember landing in Denver and being astonished that people were wearing huge cowboy hats, for real, without irony. There was a traditional bootmakers in the nearest town to the ranch I was staying at, and a few of our group bought genuine cowboy boots. I limited myself to turquoise jewellery when we travelled to Montana.)

Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 03:13

Faineante · 10/08/2025 03:12

Just go with your instincts. Even if some (or all) of the things don’t seem to work for your home wardrobe they’ll be great souvenirs of your trip.

(I remember landing in Denver and being astonished that people were wearing huge cowboy hats, for real, without irony. There was a traditional bootmakers in the nearest town to the ranch I was staying at, and a few of our group bought genuine cowboy boots. I limited myself to turquoise jewellery when we travelled to Montana.)

I love the turquoise jewellery! Will probably go back for some…

OP posts:
Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 03:14

TwinklyNight · 10/08/2025 03:10

Find a place in the UK for line dancing?

Haha! Not with my two left feet!

OP posts:
Silvercoconut · 10/08/2025 03:17

Keep the boots and jeans, but the rest......🤣

Hydenseek78 · 10/08/2025 03:30

I've worn country/ranch for years and its not received that well in the uk, people look like I'm crazy, I have hats, boots, the whole lot. I'm in Texas atm and needed to buy 2 extra cases to come home with. You definitely need a thick skin to wear it all in the uk.

Itsatrap5050 · 10/08/2025 03:45

Go for it! Check shirts come in and out of fashion in the UK, jeans are always fine and boots are too, no matter what type. As you say, you wouldn’t wear it all at once, but one or two things and no one will bat an eyelid.

I have a cowboy hat - I love it. I don’t wear it but it sits on a shelf and looks cool. Or you could hang one from a peg on the wall. Yee ha!

Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:14

Itsatrap5050 · 10/08/2025 03:45

Go for it! Check shirts come in and out of fashion in the UK, jeans are always fine and boots are too, no matter what type. As you say, you wouldn’t wear it all at once, but one or two things and no one will bat an eyelid.

I have a cowboy hat - I love it. I don’t wear it but it sits on a shelf and looks cool. Or you could hang one from a peg on the wall. Yee ha!

Edited

That’s a good idea - hanging it from a wall. I will get the hat and pinch that!

OP posts:
wordler · 10/08/2025 04:24

WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:14

That’s a good idea - hanging it from a wall. I will get the hat and pinch that!

Show quote history

I think you'll get away with wearing everything without negative comment in the UK except for the hat.

But get it as a memory of a wonderful trip and wear it / display it at home!

Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:30

wordler · 10/08/2025 04:24

I think you'll get away with wearing everything without negative comment in the UK except for the hat.

But get it as a memory of a wonderful trip and wear it / display it at home!

Show quote history

Yes, definitely want…but won’t be wearing the hat.

If you see anyone in Tesco wearing a cowboy hat, I guarantee it’s not me!

OP posts:
Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:34

How I picture myself styling my new clothes.

Turning cowgirl at 44
Turning cowgirl at 44
Turning cowgirl at 44
OP posts:
RawBloomers · 10/08/2025 04:41

Some people could pull it off, especially if you don't wear it all at once. But it definitely runs the risk of looking mid-life crisis.

You need an honest friend to look you over and tell you the hard truth.

Love the boots, though! Keep those.

3luckystars · 10/08/2025 04:44

I love it and don’t you apologise for wearing what you like! Go for it and do it in style.

enjoy every minute x

Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:49

RawBloomers · 10/08/2025 04:41

Some people could pull it off, especially if you don't wear it all at once. But it definitely runs the risk of looking mid-life crisis.

You need an honest friend to look you over and tell you the hard truth.

Love the boots, though! Keep those.

Definitely will pick a piece to wear and save the rest of the stuff. I don’t want to look as though I’m in fancy dress.

I think the boots were actually my biggest worry. I love them - but need to up my confidence enough to wear them. I did try and look for a more casual style and nothing too showy and I think these were a good balance.

OP posts:
Original poster
WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:49

3luckystars · 10/08/2025 04:44

I love it and don’t you apologise for wearing what you like! Go for it and do it in style.

enjoy every minute x

Thank you for this 🩷

OP posts:
Itsatrap5050 · 10/08/2025 04:51

RawBloomers · 10/08/2025 04:41

Some people could pull it off, especially if you don't wear it all at once. But it definitely runs the risk of looking mid-life crisis.

You need an honest friend to look you over and tell you the hard truth.

Love the boots, though! Keep those.

Midlife crisis? A t-shirt and jeans is hardly that. And cowboy boots are just slightly unusual boots. Better that that the middle-aged floral dress and trainers uniform!

RenaultClio · 10/08/2025 05:15

3luckystars · 10/08/2025 04:44

I love it and don’t you apologise for wearing what you like! Go for it and do it in style.

enjoy every minute x

This! Get it all and enjoy it! I bet you look fabulous and fuck everyone else anyway!

RawBloomers · 10/08/2025 05:18

Itsatrap5050 · 10/08/2025 04:51

Midlife crisis? A t-shirt and jeans is hardly that. And cowboy boots are just slightly unusual boots. Better that that the middle-aged floral dress and trainers uniform!

Show quote history

No, a t-shirt and jeans isn't. Which is why my midlife crisis comment was aimed at the whole shebang described in the OP.

thebigyearahead · 10/08/2025 05:22

I’ve been on holiday in the US this week and found a similar store. The quality of the clothes and footwear is amazing. Thankfully my very sensible DD stopped me spending on stuff I’d probably realistically never wear and spending far too much money. But the temptation was huge. I get it

MsNevermore · 10/08/2025 05:25

Personally, I say go for it!
If it makes you feel good about yourself, then you’re winning.

I currently live in the US, and when we do come back to the U.K., you’ll have to prize my cowboy boots off my cold, dead feet 🤷🏻‍♀️🫠😂
I wear them practically every day - with bootcut jeans, with Daisy Dukes, with a cute, floral sundress - everything

FluffyWabbit · 10/08/2025 05:33

WatermelonGatorJerky · 10/08/2025 04:49

Definitely will pick a piece to wear and save the rest of the stuff. I don’t want to look as though I’m in fancy dress.

I think the boots were actually my biggest worry. I love them - but need to up my confidence enough to wear them. I did try and look for a more casual style and nothing too showy and I think these were a good balance.

Show quote history

Boots are super cute with a midi dress. Shake the UK up a bit. The weather is boring and I'm tired of pretending fashion is different lol

SiameseBlueEyes · 10/08/2025 05:34

Clothes bought on holiday with rare exceptions (eg plain coloured basics) don't translate into wearable clothes on your return. I have a pair of leather trousers bought in the US that are a constant reminder of that hanging in my wardrobe. No, you shouldn't be kitting yourself out in faux cowgirl clothes. It's not an age thing either as far as I'm concerned. A 25 year old Englishwoman wearing this get up would look just as odd.