It’s not July 4th but we here at Cacties believe that our great country’s independence should be celebrated every day. On that note we bring you this video of a brilliantly designed bottle rocket launching device that uses the finest of redneck engineering and skill.

If you are going to be in the Denver area the weekend of September 5, then be sure and check out The Denver International Western/English Apparel and Equipment Market, put on by the Western and English Sales Association. According to their site, The Denver Market is “distinguished as the Industry’s leading trade show for Western apparel and accessories, tack, leather goods, animal health products, English apparel and equipment, and equestrian-related home décor, gifts and jewerly.” Cacties will be in booth MB312, so pop on over and check us out!

A true cowboy is a gentleman who warns his enemy first. If the enemy fails to respect that warning then…well good luck to them.

This small business owner offers a clear warning to anyone interested in breaking into his establishment.

The world of western clothing suffered a huge loss this month with the death of Jack Weil. Mr. Weil, who passed away at the age of 107, is credited with inventing the snaps to the front of western shirts in the 1940’s. He is also known as being the originator of the infamous bolo tie.

Photo credit: Barry Gutierrez - Associated Press

The LA Times profiled the life of the man who changed western wear as we know it:

Considered the Henry Ford of the western shirt and a major force behind a notably American fashion, he was also said to be America’s oldest chief executive.

A visionary and a classic innovator, Weil conceived the idea more than 60 years ago that "Westerners needed their own fashion identity," according to grandson Steve Weil.

Aiming to give western wear a look as distinctive as the region’s topography and lifestyle, his grandson said, Weil created a slim-fitting shirt with a cut, cuffs, pocketing and fastenings that would make it immediately recognizable.

"Every design element was given a flourish," his grandson said. Distinctive in their dash and flair, the shirts featured a special yoke and elaborate hand embroidery.

Other designers, of course, helped create the western look, but Weil was there at the beginning and was considered "the father of the snap western shirt."

Where would the world of western clothing be without Jack Weil? I’m pretty sure those long sleeved western shirts you love so much wouldn’t be quite so, well, snappy.

Sure, the idea of being a cowboy is romantic. However, a cowboy’s idea of recreation can be down right painful and sometimes dangerous. No guts, no glory, no fun. Go big or go home.

Are western neckties back in? According to William C Reynolds, editor of Living Cowboy Ethics magazine published by the Paragon Foundation, they certainly are. Mr. Reynolds writes in the latest edition of Cowboys and Indians about how the western tie is back in grand style. According to the article, entitled “Ride and Tie”, the popular thought that cowboys at the turn of the century did not care about their appearance is just a myth.

Pride in one’s appearance and one’s work was not alien to the working cowboy - then or now. For the serious, it has always been prideful work. And as the 20th century wore on, along with the evolution of the necktie and its design came the advent of  unique accoutrements and accessories to help hold the tie down and keep it from flapping - an advantage for those working horseback and throwing loops.

These days, the western necktie is seeing quite the resurgence after being lost from popular culture sometime in the 1960’s. Once the popularity of the western television shows died out, so did a lot of cowboy culture. And now?

Today, there is a renaissance of sorts occurring in may aspects of the Western horsemanship world - a return of respect, if you will, for some of the old ways in working and training fine bridle and using horses. Along with that has come an increased interest in ranch ropings and classic vaquero-style roping techniques. It is only natural, then, that an interest in certain aspects of classic Western dress would follow. Re-enter the necktie. Today, at may ranch ropings and competitions - from the Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Contest held every April in Bed Bluff, California, to the Jordon Valley Big Loop Rodeo each spring in Jordon Valley, Oregon, among many others - “Western gentlemen” can be seen roping in neckties. Is it a fashion trend that will catch on, or will it remain a style for only the purist? Time will tell. One thing’s for sure, it’s a style that is “tied” to the West.

If western ties are your thing, be sure and check out our vast collection of ties. With 21 different styles, you are sure to find one that suits you perfectly.

One universal Truth: Men are horrible at the process of giving gifts. If we even remember to purchase a gift we are faced with the daunting challenge of wrapping the gift. No, newspaper is not acceptable gift wrap and that christmas pattern will not work for your anniversary.

Inevitably there is one person in the family that shows up to a gift giving holiday or event and makes everyone else’s gift look like it was picked out that day from the neighbor’s garbage. That person in my family is my sister in law Susie. Susie is a master gifter and wrapper. When I receive a gift from her it is so elegantly wrapped that it breaks my tough country heart to open.

If poor gifting is inherent in the male genetic fabric then what is a guy to do? Well let me tell you a little secret I just discovered. Pegasus Paper Products.

Pegasus Paper Products has some boot stompin’ cowboy friendly options to enhance your gift’s presentation. They have everything you need to get into the gift presentation game including; gift bags, gift wrap, heavyweight tissue, and ribbons.

The Embossed Leather Gift Wrap comes in black, brown, and red. My personal favorite is brown.

Pegasus Paper Products also has some truly unique tooled leather gift bags that are bound to make a bold statement.

Alright gentleman. If there is one thing that we are good at it is competition. So go out there and put Susie’s master gift presentation to shame.

Back in April we released a selection of Cowboy Friendly badges for you to display on your western themed website or blog. As a small gesture of thanks we are sending out wallet clips to those who are displaying a Cowboy Friendly badge.

In order to claim your wallet clip, please send us your mailing address with a link to your website where your badge is being displayed.

If you aren’t currently displaying a Cowboy Friendly badge on your website but would like a wallet clip, go to our Cowboy Friendly badges page, choose a badge that you like, add it to your site and email us.

Independence Day is one of the most celebrated holidays in U.S
history, and for good reason - it is the only holiday that celebrates
the United States. A cowboy is hard working and proud, just like his
country, and stands for the three things that make up the red, white
and blue of the American flag. George Washington proclaimed:

“We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother
country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have
separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity
representing Liberty.”

If you’re confined to the office during the month of July, why not
celebrate your own independent spirit by showing up dressed in Cacties western wear.

Celebrate the red, white and blue in the month of July by wearing:

• The ‘Red River’ colored Buffalo Necktie
• The classic ‘Snow Cap’ colored traditional Western shirt
• The ‘Cactus Blue’ Woven Stallion western themed boxer short.

Cacties will have a small booth at the Music Country Grand Prix this Sunday, June 8th in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Grand Prix will benefit the organization ‘Saddle Up!‘ and is a premier equestrian show jumping competition featuring top rides and horses from across the nation.

To look the part, we recommend visiting the Cacties booth to get yourself some western style clothing.