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That one's a real work of art, Cuz...one of the best I've seen from RRL. I'm always impressed by the quality of Ralph's stuff. Congrats on the find.Long been a fan of the fancy western shirt, more as an observer than a wearer. Always knew the colorful embroidered shirts would be closet dwellers for me. I have over twenty five pearl snap westerns and only four are anything other than a solid color.
I have spent some time looking for earlier shirts, pre snap that is. Pearl snaps didn’t come along until 1946 and prior to that, western shirts were often a wool or rayon gabardine with simple, subtle stitching or none at all. Some used Bakelite or carved wood buttons. I’ve bought a couple of those shirts over the years but they all had issues. Usually the cotton thread they were sewn together with.
RRL has put out several limited edition embroidered westerns over the years done up in wool gabardine with some beautiful embroidery. A navy blue one and a green one come to mind. Images can be found. Both of those were very pricey and continue to climb when seen on the secondary market. Thought a couple of times about throwing all sensibility aside and buying one. View attachment 447548 View attachment 447549 View attachment 447550 View attachment 447551
I did decide to buy something a little more subtle. This blk on blk is made from a heavy cotton that drapes like gabardine and the blk on blk ‘embroidery make it a little to easier wear. Wood buttons.
That bowling shirt is a prime piece as well. Classic!
I've got quite a collection of fancy western duds hanging in my closet, too, but my lack of wearing 'em these days stems mostly from too much beer and Mexican food in my diet. I gotta find me some bigger stuff.