Tucked in, or not tucked in? That is the question

[The Arapaho Kid]

I have a question.  I see many pictures of CAS Shooters with their pants tucked in their boots, and many who don't have them tucked in.  I wear Cavalry Boots and I have no choice.  My pants are tucked in.  So...what's the standard on that?  Tucked in, or not tucked in?     And....what is the logic for tucking them in?

[Terry]

It's that whole, "on a horse thing".....spend alot of your time on horseback riding where there are no trails and see how long your pant legs last around alot of brush.  I use the typical rule of thumb...if in town, you can leave them out, if out of town, tuck them in....Cavalry has their regulations.....always tucked in....exceptions with non-field uniforms in some cases.

[Scattered Thumbs]

agree with Terry

[The Arapaho Kid]

Thanks guys!  The boots I have are authentic Cav Boots, square toe and those knee protectors and they are large enough in diameter that pants won't go down over them very well...so my pants get tucked in.  I got them from some boot company down in Texas and they were "seconds" with some flaw in them.  I can't find the flaw!  They were 145 bucks out the door.  Their regular ones are 175 out the door.  They also carry a number of descent Cowboy Boots....but...I can't remember the name of the company.  Lemme do some research and I'll post their website here.

[The Arapaho Kid]

I found the website where I got my Cav Boots.  Go have a look at what they have: http://caboots.zoovy.com/

[Delmonico]

I'm gonna throw a monkey wrench in here, I always thought the same thing, but now extensive study of the Solomon Butcher collection has got me thinkin' region has more to do with it.  The cowboys in Newbrasskey seem to have almost never tucked in, and many wore a lace up boot.

But they would have to in most cases in the 1880's had to ride out of their way to get in anything that would resemble brush.  However the minute they stepped of the horse they were in danger of gettin. sand burrs and the fingers of brittle cactus in the tops of their boots.  Lace up boots and pants on the outside prevent this. 

Also from the early days the ranches out their did more hayin' than any other part of the country, hay in the tops of yer boots is also not pleasant. 

I also have the unique oppertunity to talk to many of the present day "Real Cowboys" from this region on an almost daily basis.  I have discussed this with many of them when they are up buyin' their silk banndans from me and listenin' to my "Western Music" I have on.  (This keeps them from havin' to hang round with the wife or girlfriend and listenin' to Top 40 "Country")

Well out there they have rattlesnakes, not big Western Diamondbacks but littler 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 foot long prairie rattlers with short fangs.  Well the often strike and get hung up on the loose cloth of pants instead of puttin' a fang into a boot.  And even they can sometimes put a fang deep enough it a boot to get you once in a while.

One can take this for what it is worth, but it just convices me more and more that much of what we read in even books written by so called experts needs to be treated like flour with weevils in it.  "Sift well before usin'."

[Micheal Fortune]

Military aside, they have there own set of rules.

When I was growing up I was told if you on a horse or any time that you can, leave your pants out,  only time you tuck them is when you are wandering around the ranch, farm and you are likely to step in "it"

If you are a pig farmer you just leave you pant legs tucked in all the time.

And we all know what "it" is,, like the "it's" going to hit the fan,  and so on.....

[The Arapaho Kid]

I was told that pants were to be left out when on the range.  This keeps "things" from getting in your boots.  Burrs, scorpions, gravel...whatever?  And it also added another layer of thinkness in case a rattler wanted to put the bite on ya.  I have to wear my pants trucked in because the tops of my Cav Boots are a little too bug to allow the pants to be over them. Sop....I guess either way, tucked in, or not tucked in...you'd be period correct?

[Delmonico]

Yup, either is proper, just depends on the situation.   I get that question a lot when workin' with a new cowboy shooter or ren-actor.  Another common question is "whats the proper way to wear and tie a banndana?"  The proper answer is "any way you want."  There were no set rules on how to dress and there were no fashion police, one developed a stye you liked.  This is even true with the milatary out on the frontier.  Soldiers on campagin did not look like they did in all the movies, in fact with the calvary the best way to tell was a lot of trapdoor carbines and McClellan saddles, often little else was issue.

[Doc Shapiro]

For me it depends on the boots I'm wearin.  I have a pair that I just can't get my pants over, so when I wear those, tucked.  Otherwise, untucked.

[Tricky Trina]

Do what feels good....
                Trina

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks guys!  The boots I have are authentic Cav Boots, square toe and those knee protectors and they are large enough in diameter that pants won't go down over them very well...so my pants get tucked in.  I got them from some boot company down in Texas and they were "seconds" with some flaw in them.  I can't find the flaw!  They were 145 bucks out the door.  Their regular ones are 175 out the door.

Didn't ya wonder why one is brown and the other one black?

[Tensleep]

Thanks guys!  The boots I have are authentic Cav Boots, square toe and those knee protectors and they are large enough in diameter that pants won't go down over them very well...so my pants get tucked in.  I got them from some boot company down in Texas and they were "seconds" with some flaw in them.  I can't find the flaw!  They were 145 bucks out the door.  Their regular ones are 175 out the door.

Didn't ya wonder why one is brown and the other one black?

LOL!!!

[The Arapaho Kid]

Thanks guys!  The boots I have are authentic Cav Boots, square toe and those knee protectors and they are large enough in diameter that pants won't go down over them very well...so my pants get tucked in.  I got them from some boot company down in Texas and they were "seconds" with some flaw in them.  I can't find the flaw!  They were 145 bucks out the door.  Their regular ones are 175 out the door.

Didn't ya wonder why one is brown and the other one black?

Well...it took a while for that one to sink in!  But....the were both black and I really couldn't find anything wrong with them. 

[Tensleep]

Thanks guys!  The boots I have are authentic Cav Boots, square toe and those knee protectors and they are large enough in diameter that pants won't go down over them very well...so my pants get tucked in.  I got them from some boot company down in Texas and they were "seconds" with some flaw in them.  I can't find the flaw!  They were 145 bucks out the door.  Their regular ones are 175 out the door.

Didn't ya wonder why one is brown and the other one black?

Well...it took a while for that one to sink in!  But....the were both black and I really couldn't find anything wrong with them. 

The two lefts don't make you walk in circles? 

[Arcey]

Heck...........  If I did what felt good, I'd be in jail...................

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Yup, either is proper, just depends on the situation. I get that question a lot when workin' with a new cowboy shooter or ren-actor. Another common question is "whats the proper way to wear and tie a banndana?" The proper answer is "any way you want." There were no set rules on how to dress and there were no fashion police, one developed a stye you liked. This is even true with the milatary out on the frontier. Soldiers on campagin did not look like they did in all the movies, in fact with the calvary the best way to tell was a lot of trapdoor carbines and McClellan saddles, often little else was issue.

Here's an interesting thing..
On the walls of my dad's barn office there are several photos from West Texas ranches at the turn of the century (not this most recent one.. the real turn, the one we care about )  There is a group of pictures from one particular ranch.

The foreman was a distinguished man and caught the photographer's eye (or even commissioned the series?) and in different situations, the foreman is shown with his pants tucked into his boots or over them.  He is also shown with and without a vest and even wearing a wool sweater.  So there you go..
Merry Christmas Y'all!

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Nice seeing your heading there, Hext :)Been busy? Haven't seen too many from you.........Buck

[The Arapaho Kid]

So then there is no hard, fast rule on this?  Pants tucked in, or out is an individual thing and no one is going to jump on anyone for having them in, or out?  I've heard a few horror stories about some people at the shoots making issues out of something that isn't "period correct".  I have seen a few things that aren't period correct too.  Bungy cords, people wearing regular and also carpenter jeans, people wearing lace up shoes...I've seen a couple of straw hats, neckerchiefs with Boy Scout slides.  So I may presume that the "Period correct cops" is just a myth?

[Micheal Fortune]

The SASS rule book is fairly specific on what you can and can't wear.  Around here people are told, yes you have to wear boots, hat, long pants and long sleeved shirt, no plastic or velcro allowed.

Remember that not all cowboys are rich and can do as much in the wardrobe department as other can and in my case all the accoutrement's aren't available in my size, and I ain't handy with sewing machine.


We all do the best we can and many of our locals have done an outstanding job in the wardrobe department.

I'm personally not there yet, but it will come in time, you know many in the sport are in the same boat, lots of money for guns, gun cart, reloading, and the list goes on and on.  Now I have only dropped about $500 in to wardrobe so far, but like I said, as time goes on it will get better.

I would frown is someone showed up in shorts, tennis shoes and a hat that was also a drink holder, you know the kind with the straw hanging down........but as long as someone is doing their best  and they fall withing the rules, leave them alone and let them shoot!