Western Vests

Western Vests

A good leather vest earns its place in a western wardrobe: it adds warmth to your core, holds its shape over a snap shirt, and looks as right at a rodeo as at a dinner. Chaps Fit western vests come in smooth leather and suede, with fringe, beadwork, side lacing and snap pockets, in sizes XXS to 5XL for men and women.

Three Kinds of Western Vest

Classic Western and Ranch Vests

Plain or lightly detailed vests with practical snap pockets, made for daily wear over flannel and denim. The Traditional Vintage Leather Vest with Snap Pockets and the Men's Vintage Black Cowhide Vest fall in this group.

Fringe, Beaded and Show Vests

Suede vests made to be seen, with fringe that moves when you do and beadwork that catches the light. Try the Suede Leather Western Vest with Beaded Fringe, the Western Suede Leather Vest with Beaded Tassels, the Vintage Rodeo Suede Fringe Leather Vest or the Red Leather Western Vest with Fringe.

Riding Vests

Built for the saddle or the motorcycle, with more pockets and a closer fit. See the Multi Pocket Black Leather Vest for Riders and the Timeless Hook Closure Leather Riding Vest.

Suede or Smooth Leather?

• Suede is soft and has a matte texture that suits fringe and beadwork, which is why most show vests are suede. It marks and darkens when wet, so it's a better fit for dry days and events.
• Smooth leather sheds light rain, wipes clean and takes rough wear better. It's the practical choice for riding, work and year-round wear.

How a Western Vest Should Fit

• Length: the vest should end at or just above your belt. On horseback, a vest that's too long bunches against the saddle horn. On a motorcycle, a long vest rides up at the back.
• Chest: the vest should close without pulling across your chest when it's worn over the shirt you'll usually layer under it. If you wear it over a thick flannel or thermal, size for that.
• Armholes: they should be deep enough to reach forward and rope, rein or reach for handlebars without the vest lifting.
• Side laces: vests like the Western Black Suede Vest with Side Laces let you take in or let out the waist, which is useful between summer shirts and winter layers.

Wearing a Vest with Chaps and Western Gear

A vest that ends at your belt line leaves your chap belt and buckle visible, which is the traditional western silhouette. Pair smooth leather vests with western chaps, fringed suede vests with fringed chaps for the arena, and finish the outfit with a western belt and cowboy hat.

Caring for Leather and Suede Vests

• Smooth leather: wipe it with a damp cloth and condition it when it starts to feel dry.
• Suede: brush it with a suede brush to lift the nap, and use a suede eraser on marks. Never scrub suede with water.
• Fringe: hang the vest so the fringe falls freely. If it tangles, comb it out gently with your fingers rather than pulling on it.
• Beadwork: check the threads now and then and have loose beads re-stitched before a whole strand comes off.
• Storage: hang it on a wide, shaped hanger, since a narrow wire hanger leaves dents in the shoulders.