July 2016 - Sheplers Stampede

Country Lifestyle

What Are Cowboy Spurs?

July 31, 2016

by Sheplers

There’s just something about the slow jingling sound of a cowboy boot hitting the ground that is synonymous with western culture. While you may know what cowboy spurs sound like and what they look like, do you know what exactly they are for?

Traditionally, western spurs were a cowboy’s most prized possession; a well-made pair of cowboy spurs provided a certain level of prestige for those who wore them. But before they evolved into a status symbol, cowboy spurs were used to increase performance and improve communication between the horse and rider. For horses that needed a little bit more motivation to go faster, western spurs were a cowboy’s best friend.

Seen at bull riders at rodeos, on cowboys in films, and as decorations in western-styled homes, over time cowboy spurs evolved into a true signature of the American West. Add a bit of classic western culture to your life with these cowboy spurs from Sheplers:

For the kids:

Kids’ Little Outlaw Toy Spurs

Little Outlaw Girls’ Pink Spurs

For her:

Silver Legends Women’s Turquoise Coral Boot Spur Necklace

Montana Silversmiths Sparkly Spur Earrings

For him:

Small Spur Key Ring

Montana Silversmiths Spur Rowel Heritage Attitude Belt Buckle

For your home:

Spur Salt & Pepper Holder Set

Western Moments Basketweave Spur Rowel Photo Frame

Jeans - Men's Clothing - Shirts - Tops - Women's - Women's Clothing

How to Shrink a Denim Shirt

July 28, 2016

by Sheplers

Denim shirts are the backbone of western cowboy clothing style. So if your denim shirt has seen its better days and it’s now stretched out, you’re likely wondering how to shrink denim. Can you shrink denim? How do you shrink clothes by hand? Don’t worry, our cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle experts at Sheplers Western Wear know a thing or two about shrinkin’ denim. Here are our tips on how to shrink a denim shirt.

How to Shrink a Denim Shirt Half a Size or Less

If you’re shrinking your denim by a half size or less, you’re in luck! You can shrink your denim by hand if you’re bringing it down just a little in size. Here’s how to shrink your denim by hand:

Fill your sink with water. Keep in mind that the hotter the water, the more the shirt will shrink. So if you’re looking to shrink a denim shirt by a lot, use the hottest water you can.
Soak your denim shirt in the water for at least five minutes.
Remove the denim shirt and wring it out. Be careful not to pull at the edges, that could make the shirt stretch instead of shrink.
Lay the shirt on a drying rack until it’s completely dry. One the first side of the shirt is dry, flip it over and dry the other side.

How to Shrink a Denim Shirt a Full Size or More

Whether you’re looking to shrink a men’s dress shirt or a women’s denim shirt, if you want to shrink it a whole size or more, you’ll have to get your washing machine involved. You’ll have more luck shrinking these shirts not by hand, but with the help of your washer. Here’s how to shrink denim one full size or more:

Put your denim shirt in the washing machine. Make sure it’s on the “whites” setting so that hot water is used. Let the shirt run for a full cycle in the washer.
Place your denim shirt in the dryer on the “gentle dry” or “delicates” setting. If you want your shirt to dry as fast as possible, put on the “permanent press” cycle. The dryer will help shrink the shirt.

Men’s Denim Shirts | Women’s Long Sleeve Shirts | Men’s Ariat Shirt | Women’s Johnny Was Tops

Country Lifestyle

Three Cowboy Movies You Must See

July 21, 2016

by Sheplers

Looking to kick off your cowboy boots and unwind for the night? Then let Sheplers help that dream become a reality.

Make some popcorn, grab the remote, and settle in for a relaxing night with one of these cowboy movie recommendations from Sheplers.

City Slickers. In the midst of a mid-life crisis, Mitch (Billy Crystal) and his friends spontaneously decide to go on a Wild West cattle drive. Consider this one of the only cowboy movies that can make you laugh, reflect, and feel inspired all at the same time.

The Cowboys. If you are looking for classic cowboy movies, then The Cowboys featuring John Wayne has your name written all over it. A favorite film here at Sheplers, this coming-of-age story features one of Wayne’s best performances.

Open Range. Think that there are no new cowboy movies reminiscent of classic western films? Think again. Featuring Kevin Costner as the Charley Waite, Open Range proves that the characters in new cowboy movies have the same old-fashioned values, and aren’t afraid to act on them.

Men's - Men's Boots - Women's - Women's Boots

Best Cowboy Recipes

July 13, 2016

by Sheplers

Looking for a way to spice up your traditional country meal? Then look no further; the next time you want to give a nod to the wild west culture, try one of these cowboy recipes from Sheplers.

Cowboy Coffee. Back in the day, coffee was a must-have for cowboys. And after sleeping on the hard desert ground all night, who can blame them? Even though a cowboy had to pack light and didn’t exactly have the best coffee maker around, they found a way to make the best of their situation. One of the most traditional Southern cowboy recipes for making coffee is:

Bring water to a boil over your campfire.
Put your coffee grounds into the water.
Stir the coffee over the fire for a minute or two.
Remove the pot from the fire and let the coffee sit for a minute, or until the grounds settle at the bottom of the pot.
Pour the coffee into your tin cup so that the grounds stay in the pot.

Cowboy Beans. Chances are, whenever you watched a movie about the old west, you would see them making cowboy recipes that consisted mainly of beans. Because this was one of the easiest ways to get protein while you were on the road in unfavorable conditions, it’s no surprise why this was such a popular choice amongst those in the wild west. In order to make cowboy beans, you need:

2 pounds of pinto beans
2 pounds of ham hock
2 onions chopped
4 tablespoons sugar
2 green chilies
1 can of tomato paste

First, wash the beans and soak them overnight. After draining them, place the beans in a Dutch oven and cover the water. Once that is done, add the rest of the ingredients and allow it to simmer until the beans are tender.

Men's - Men's Boots - Women's - Women's Boots

Five Handy Cowboy Boot Care Tips

July 9, 2016

by Sheplers

When it comes to cowboy boot care, you can never have enough tips. Considering that most cowboys consider their boots to be an extension of themselves, who can blame them?

With generations of experience in providing some of the highest quality boots around, you could say that here at Sheplers, we know a thing or two about making sure your boots get the best possible care. Don’t believe us? Then try these five handy cowboy boot care tips and see for yourself.

Cowboy Boot Storage. Store your cowboy boots with a cedar boot tree inside them; this will allow them to breathe while the cedar shoe trees absorb any moisture and retain the boot’s original shape.
Cowboy Boot Soles. Are the soles of your boots scuffed or discolored? For optimal cowboy boot care, use edge dressing to re-stain the sole of each boot. Before you know it, your boots will look as good as new!
Damp Cowboy Boots. There are few things worse in life other than damp cowboy boots. A rule of thumb for cowboy boot care is to let your boots dry naturally if they get wet. While it may be tempting to dry them with a heat source – don’t. Trust us, you can thank us later!

Men's - Men's Boots - Women's - Women's Boots

Five Handy Cowboy Boot Care Tips

July 9, 2016

by Sheplers

When it comes to cowboy boot care, you can never have enough tips. Considering that most cowboys consider their boots to be an extension of themselves, who can blame them?

Cowboy Boot Storage. Store your cowboy boots with a cedar boot tree inside them; this will allow them to breathe while the cedar shoe trees absorb any moisture and retain the boot’s original shape.
Cowboy Boot Soles. Are the soles of your boots scuffed or discolored? For optimal cowboy boot care, use edge dressing to re-stain the sole of each boot. Before you know it, your boots will look as good as new!
Damp Cowboy Boots. There are few things worse in life other than damp cowboy boots. A rule of thumb for cowboy boot care is to let your boots dry naturally if they get wet. While it may be tempting to dry them with a heat source – don’t. Trust us, you can thank us later!

Kids' - Kids' Boots - Men's - Men's Boots - Women's - Women's Boots

Guide to American Cowboy Boots

July 5, 2016

by Sheplers

Here at Sheplers, you could say we know a thing or two about American cowboy boots. Having been in the business of selling cowboy boots for more years than we can count, we can safely say that there’s a reason why so many actors, musicians, and even Presidents have opted to make American cowboy boots their shoe of choice.

If you are looking to branch out with your style and try on a pair of western boots for size, then check out this guide to why you should choose American cowboy boots.

Uniqueness. Have you ever seen a pair of American cowboy boots that the owner didn’t take pride in? We didn’t think so. Especially if you are wear your new pair of boots anywhere outside of the South, you can bet that you will stand out from the rest.

Height. Wish that you had a couple more inches to your overall height? Then American cowboy boots can help you out; heels on these boots add anywhere from a half-inch to almost two inches of height. If you find yourself on the shorter side, then opt for full “cowboy heels.”

Shape. How many times have you looked at a pair of shoes, only to recognize it from another friend that has exactly the same pair? Give your feet a unique look by choosing American cowboy boots that have a square toe, traditional toe, snip toe, or rounded toe.

Country Lifestyle - Men's - Men's Boots - Women's - Women's Boots

How to Care for Cowboy Boots in the Summer

July 1, 2016

by Sheplers

Let’s face it – the summertime can be hard on your cowboy boots. It does not matter how durable they are, sometimes you just can’t beat the summer heat.

However, here at Sheplers we have discovered that what you can do is protect your boots as much as possible. Ensure that your cowboy boots have a long life with this guide from Sheplers on how to care for cowboy boots.

Step 1: Clean Your Cowboy Boots. Using a slightly damp cloth, brush off any dirt or dust. If there is a particularly stubborn spot that you are having trouble getting clean, then use a toothbrush to carefully dust it off of your cowboy boots, or use cowboy boot cleaner from Sheplers.

Step 2: Condition Your Cowboy Boots. When it comes to how to care for cowboy boots in the summer, conditioning them is one of the most important steps. This is because it will prevent your boots from getting too dry in the summer heat, and thus keep them from cracking. We recommend using a cowboy boot conditioner such as the Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner from Sheplers.

Step 3: Polish Your Cowboy Boots. If you already have some scuffs and scratches on your cowboy boots, then apply a matching leather polish. Put the cowboy boot polish on in light layers, buffing between until you reach the color desired.

With the above tips on how to care for cowboy boots, your boots will make it through many more summers to come.