Why Do Cowboys Wear Skinny Jeans? (7 Reasons)

The legs of the cowboys play the most vital role while riding on their animals. Superficially you can see the hands doing all the work like reining their animals in order to guide the direction but in reality every movement is controlled by their legs.

The legs of the cowboys move continuously while riding on the back of the animals and the movements are quite strong and there needs to be something to provide support and protection to their legs so that they remain tight and experience less movements.

Skinny jeans act as an exoskeleton for the cowboys. They help them maintain their postures and offer structural support in order to feel lesser movements. But the skinny fit does not mean tight fitting, instead they are sung fit and stretchable.

Why Do Cowboys Wear Skinny Jeans

And the material jeans are the most durable one when it comes to riding because the legs have to endure strong movements and continuous rubbing by the skin of the animals.

Beside that there are several other factors as well that make the cowboys wear tight skinny jeans.

Let’s have a look at them in the sections below:

Reasons why cowboys wear skinny jeans

The work of a cowboy involves rigorous body movement especially of the legs and hands. In such a situation they need to wear snug fitting apparels instead of baggy ones and there’s several reasons behind that:

1. Skinny jeans just go really well in giving them the formal look of a cowboy

The very first reason that needs the mention is the stylish look that the tight jeans offer to the overall presentation of the cowboys. They are just in completing the so-called “cowboy” look.

2. The durable nature of the fabric jeans just make them the perfect fit for the strenuous cowboy activity

The next mention needs to be of the material jeans that are considered the toughest of fabric and can withstand rough and tough blows from the wearer.

This material will never get any wear and tear while riding up and down the horses and also while the legs get rubbed on the body and the straps of the horses.

3. Cowboys need pants that are breathable and moisture wicking

Another factor behind choosing the material jeans is that jeans are made of cotton threads and cotton is a breathable material.

The pores in the cotton (jeans) allow air flow in the legs of the cowboys that is much needed while riding because riding makes them sweat a lot. So, the jeans besides keeping their legs airy also soaks in moisture easily.

4. Cowboys need pants that prevent slipping, rubbing and chaffing

Jeans are also slip resistant and it is very necessary for the material of the pants of the cowboys to be slip resistant while they climb up and down the horses or when their feet are in the saddles or else they can encounter instances of slipping off and hence an accident.

5. Cowboys just cannot wear baggy or loose pants

Jeans being too baggy

The reason behind this is loose and baggy pants will rub against the skin of their legs while they are in motion on their horses. The constant rubbing will pull off the upper layer of the skin and cause redness and pain. 

6. Skinny snug fit jeans allows free movement of the cowboy’s legs

Wearing snug fit jeans that hug their legs allows them to move their legs freely along with preventing that constant rubbing of the fabric against the skin of the legs.

7. Cowboys wear skinny jeans as they need to tuck their pants inside the boots

Yes, this is also a very valid reason for the cowboys wearing skinny jeans! They need to tuck their pants inside the boots in order to avoid the pants being stuck to an object while riding.

While climbing or descending, if the pants catch off to an object (considering there are a number of belts, saddles, ropes hung around the body of the horses) they will make the cowboys fall off their animals and hurt themselves.

See also: How Can Guys Wear Skinny Jeans Without a Bulge?

Do cowboys really wear tight jeans? Myth busted!

This is actually a myth that cowboys wear tight jeans!

Instead…..

What they really wear are snug fitting skinny jeans that give the impression to the viewer as tight jeans. Instead the skinny jeans are made of stretchable fabric that hugs their legs snugly and does not feel tight at all.

Wearing tight jeans will restrict the free movement of their legs while they have to throw their legs around the body of the horses or even while climbing and descending the saddles. 

Tight jeans will also create more heat and warmth inside the legs and that would generate a lot of heat and chafing within the pants thus making the riding uncomfortable for them.

See also: Why Are Cowboy Jeans So Thick?

And it’s a wrap!

So, in a nutshell the entire debate around the fact that cowboys wear tight fit skinny jeans can be wrapped up with the conclusion that this is a half myth because they wear skinny jeans but not tight fitting ones!

Instead what they wear are skinny jeans that are actually snug fit and have a boot cut in them. This is to allow them to throw their legs with ease around the horses and also prevent chafing caused by constant rubbing of the skin with the fabric.

If you enjoyed reading the article, do hang on to us for more informative pieces.

Until next, take care and have a wonderful day!

Stephen Luettgen
I have 12+ years of experience in construction, inspections, handy work, and currently working as a Construction Site Manager. In today’s day we spent a significant part of our time at workplace and a right work gear can have significant impact not only on your safety but also work quality.

Related Posts: