But Judy Moses has come to draw another conclusion about the folks that spend their free time tempting fate at the rodeo. As a general rule, they're a pretty clean-cut group of young men and women. That attitude and demeanor is what Judy calls the most rewarding part of her role. And while cowboys may be clean-cut and wholesome in their actions, their appearance is usually more individualist and distinctive. Two cowboys caught with the same hat or pair of boots might react similarly to a pair of homecoming queen candidates showing up in the same dress.
Hats gain even more personality with each cowhand's garnish of hat bands, feathers, beaded tassels.
Cowboys seem to treat them like rappers treat gold chains - the bigger the better. Another theory says the size of the buckle is directly proportionate to their distance from the coast. Thus, land-locked Westerns should have the biggest and brashest. But like most fashions, rodeo attire is best left to the real McCoys. Spectators trying to blend into the atmosphere via Western wardrobe often stand out like a Resistol hat on a Manhattan subway.