Do you have to be a wild child to wear a wild rag? Nope! Just a cowboy or a cowgirl, or a wannabe. Since the mid-1800's, wild rags have been a staple of cowboys' and cowgirls' outfits, and that's not for fashion reasons either.
While quite a few wear them as a fashion statement these days, wild rags have a real, honest-to-goodness purpose. In winter time, they should keep your neck warm, wile any other time of the year, they should protect you from sun, wind, dust and dirt. So, how do you choose one that suits you best? Read on to find out.
First, you need to think when you'll be wearing your wild rag. If you are looking for one to wear while working on the ranch, you need something that washes easily, and is big enough to cover your neck, and mouth and nose when needed. On the other hand, if you are wearing it only as a fashion statement, you can do whatever your heart desires.
Wild rags come in different fabrics and sizes, but the most popular ones are made of either silk or polyester. Some people wouldn't consider anything but silk, and I don't blame them. Silk is a natural fiber, soft, silky, strong, and durable. However, there's one downside to silk wild rags: you've got to wash them by hand. Not only that, but no harsh detergents should be used when washing anything made from silk. Instead, use a mild liquid soap designed for washing delicate fabrics. A mild hair shampoo would do in a pinch. Polyester, on the other hand, although made from artificial fibers, can be as smooth, soft and drapey as silk, but it can easily be tossed into a washing machine for a thorough cleaning. So, if you're using your wild rag while you work, I'd say, go with polyester unless you absolutely abhor it.
Wild rags come in different sizes, but most common ones are 22"x22", 36"x36" and 44"x44". The 22 inch wild rags are small and suited for lil' cowboys and cowgirls, or for a quick fashion statement with your fancy outfit, but not as a working wild rag. If you're looking to get one to wear while you work, go with 36 inch or 44 inch size.
Last but not least, consider the colors and patterns. If you're buying a working wild rag, I'd say, choose a color that doesn't show dirt easily. Earthy brown, dark beige, deep green or blues all suit the bill. On the other hand, if you're buying a wild rag as a fashion statement, when choosing the color, consider the outfits you'll be wearing it with. Same goes for the pattern, and it need not be said that, if you dress more traditionally western, you should go for paisley, solid colors, and damask prints. If you are a fashion-forward kind of person, there are plenty of other patterns out there on the market to choose from, starting with bold florals, animal prints, stripes, checks, and even novelty prints.
With so much choice out there, I hope you won't do what some cowboys of yore did when they couldn't afford a cotton wild rag. Then again, wearing a flour sack in place of a fancy wild rag might become a new fashion statement thanks to you.
Want some cowgirl chic jewelry to go with that wild rag? Check out the latest selection in Buckaroo Bling shop.
Dreamer Earrings by Buckaroo Bling