Historybounding Buckaroo Look-Book
When I first got into the HB subculture scene it was through classic vintage creators and a few Edwardian styled fashion historians. I loved it, vintage silhouettes tend to flatter my shape more than modern ones and a bit of eyeliner makes me feel fancy. The main caveat for me being that, these looks were based on city life or country life in the UK which is vastly different from my lifestyle and climate. I live in the foot steps of my husband’s plains ancestors, mountain men, cowboys, and the “rugged individualist” dream. The climate here is rough, being in one of the largest wind created indentations in the world.
What I didn’t realize it how much demand there was for this content. It still baffles me sharing posts to the Facebook group and having so many people gas me up. It was like I finally found my niche, after years of trying to pander my content to people who didn’t truly vibe with me but had a similar aesthetic, I am free to be myself! In theory, I’d love to do a few YouTube videos of this but my phone is my only camera and I’m not super confident in my video skills. Though I guess the best option is to just keep trying.
Being a novice at sewing, despite having once had formal training, I tend to thrift all of my clothes. It’s easier to find things that I can style vintage/historic and it’s also way more affordable. I work professionally as a line cook and as anyone who has ever been in the industry can attest, we don’t make much money. So as much as I would love to buy from small reproduction and bespoke designers it’s just not feasible and that’s ok. Fast Fashion is big because the working class’ wages are low and we need clothes too.
Without much further ado these are some of my every day looks that I love, I’m not sponsored by any brand that I mention I just so happen to like their stuff and like styling it in a way that might not be what people are used to seeing. Photos are a bit grainy I’m saving up for a new camera.
We’ll start out with one of my favorites! I bought this skirt for $3 when I used to work at a thrift store, at first I was skeptical about the length and the fact that the back is elastic. But if 2020 taught me anything it’s that functional clothing that can conform to weight fluctuations is worth it’s weight in gold! Plus it had pockets! My shirt is the first article of Carhartt that I’ve bought that wasn’t a shell layer, here I have it rolled up with the sleeves secured by button loops. Easily one my most flattering shirts, plus it stands up to years of barn chores and hauling firewood but still looks good enough for date night! Boots are also thrifted vintage lace ups that I still swear by and my hat is my trusty summer Sun Bonnet, had it for about 5 years now and nothing beats that amount of UV protection.
Did I mention I love this shirt? Seriously though, here I am hiking in it…. while trying to take a good pic but being awkward with my husband. I was breaking in some new pants I had quarantine purchased from Historical Emporium, they’re from Frontier Classic and that name isn’t *chef kiss* then I don’t know what is. While canvas isn’t terribly insulating it is durable! And they made great July hiking pants, ignore the bad fit I quarantine gained my way into another size between buying and receiving this babies. My trusty wool Shaeffer vest, as always for pockets and to take the chill off my core in the mountains.
Proof that you can style anything to look good with a little Pinterest imagination. The top is from Target, it’s actually a dress from their first run on Little House on the Prairie-esque clothes about 6 years ago. Skirt is a ’90s era Walmart skirt that I think I saw every body’s grandma in back in the day. I do have plans to one day update the buttons. A couple steampunk accessories I bought at the Anime Central convention in Chicago back in ’07 and my new Honcho boots designed for a western shop up in Casper, WY.
Here’s that same skirt and belt styled with a vintage H Bar C western pearl snap I got from my husband. That company being one of the first to produce pearl snaps, giving cowboys the ability to dramatically tear their shirts away like you see in westerns.
Same combo sans belt but, with my grandmother’s scarf as a wild rag and my favorite true vintage beaver felt hat.
And last but not least my most style look that is definitely not “bounding” but was the tipping point in my wardrobe going full Red Dead Redemption. It was all down hill from here folks and I can’t wait to show you more of what I’ve been doing! Just call me Arthur Morgan!