http://www.sassnet.com/Downloads/ShootersHandbook/SHBv110.pdfIt's all in the handbook. SASS costuming is not just based on history it is also based on B Western. You don't have to be historically accurate in any way at any match. You just have to be cowboy.
CLOTHING and ACCOUTERMENTS
Cowboy Action Shooting™ is a combination of
historical re-enactment and Saturday morning at
the matinee. Participants may choose the style
of costume they wish to wear, but all clothing
must be typical of the late 19th century, a Bwestern
movie, or Western television series.
SASS puts a great deal of emphasis on costuming
because it adds so much to the uniqueness of
our game and helps create a festive, informal
atmosphere that supports the friendly, fraternal
feeling we encourage in our competitors.
All shooters must be in costume, and we encourage
invited guests and family also to be costumed.
Shooters must remain in costume at
all match events: dinners, award ceremonies,
dances, etcetera.
The best way to develop a costume is to first
decide on a character or profession you wish to
portray. (This is also a good way to decide on
your shooting alias.) SASS members have
adopted the personas of bankers, blacksmiths,
lawmen, gunslingers, railroad engineers, saloon
girls, schoolmarms, East Indian British cavalry,
U.S. Army cavalry, mountain men, trail cowboys,
prairie women, American Indians, and
silver screen heroes ... you name it!
Once you have adopted your character, do a little
research. Go to the library and look at historical
photographs depicting your character.
Determine the clothing items you need, and
begin your search.
There are many commercial suppliers of traditional
western clothing and accouterments who
advertise in The Cowboy Chronicle.
The other way to go is on your own. Visit your
neighborhood thrift stores. Look for lightweight
wool slacks with plaid or vertical stripe patterns
or old formals, for example. Men, remove thebelt loops from the slacks, add suspender buttons,
and presto, you have a pair of Old West
trousers. Ladies, take the old satin, silk, or
whatever formal, add a little lace, change a hem
line, add a feather boa, and a hair comb ... voila,
you're a saloon girl.
Another possibility exists with the commercial
costume rental companies. Many of these firms
offer a good selection of authentic western
wardrobes.
Don't want to get that involved in developing
your costume? Well, okay.
Denims of the Wrangler, Levi, and Lee variety
are acceptable. Designer jeans (the ones with
the colored piping and name embroidered on the
pocket) are not allowed.
Contemporary cowboy shirts with snap fronts
are okay, but not even very B-western.
Inexpensive cotton work shirts with button
fronts are available at Sears, Wal-Mart, K-Mart,
and J.C. Penney stores. These are much more
SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005
Eleventh Edition
Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 48
representative of the type of shirt worn in the
late 1800's.
If you know a good seamstress or tailor, many
patterns for Old West clothing are available.
Any large fabric shop will carry cotton goods
adaptable to great western wardrobes.
Visit with the other shooters at your local club.
They have great ideas about how to assemble a
Cowboy Action Shooting™ wardrobe.
OUTLAWED
• Modern shooting gloves
• Short sleeve shirts
• Modern feathered cowboy hats (Shady
Bradys). Straw hats of traditional design
(e.g., Stetson, Bailey, sombreros,) are
acceptable.
• Designer jeans
• Ball caps
• All types of athletic shoes or combat boots
no matter the material from which they are
constructed.
SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005
Eleventh Edition
Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 49
• Clothing displaying manufacturer’s or
sponsor’s logos.
• Nylon, plastic, or Velcro accouterments
Mainly, SASS wants our participants to be safe,
have fun, develop their competitive shooting
skills, and enjoy the rich traditions of the Old
West. We ask you join us in the friendly spirit
of competition and preservation of our heritage