Men:
I started with the costume on left, but you don't need to go that far at first.

Put on something vaguely cowboy like and show up. Hopefully you have some cowboy boots of some sort and some blue jeans which don't have a designer label, a long sleeved shirt, and a cowboy hat. There is no costume police (except on the SASS WIRE). You will not be shown the door or harassed. If you like the sport, make an effort to come up with a complete cowboy costume. But there's a name shooter locally who dresses just like he does the rest of the time. Fortunately his normal dress is boots, blue jeans, and a long sleeved shirt.

At some local matches and at all big matches are vendors selling more authentic 19th century wear. Pants should have button fly and use suspenders if you're buying something new for the sport.

If you want to go beyond that to chaps, spurs, vest, or even military uniform, etc., knock yourself out. It's fun, not a requirement.

Some comments on boots for CAS:
These are what most men start with, historically accurate, high tops, cathedral stitched one piece fronts, high Cuban heel, square toes. The spurs look accurate and make a lot of noise when you walk. But there are two problems here. Cowboys rode horses wearing these. They're great for that. CAS shooters walk and run in their boots. Wear these, and you'll be a candidate for podiatric care. They will seriously hurt your feet wearing them on a 3 or 4 day CAS match.

Do note that in one of the exhibits a the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City are a pair of 19th century boots which look just like Ropers. So if your feet are only comfortable in Ropers, or if you can't afford new $200 boots for a sport, wear your Ropers. No problem. If your feet are damaged, wear what you can. The other shooters will understand. If you're competitive for first overall in a major match, you should wear something appropriate for the character, not Tennie Lamas or boots with basketball treads.

These are Civil War issue boots (from C & C Sutlery), with correct Civil War spurs and spur straps. They aren't as fancy as the cowboy boots, but you can walk in them due to a 1" walking heel (leather heel replaced with rubber for safety on wood floors). They are deliberately unpolished. They show scars from the spurs. These spurs are much more practical than the big ones. The big ones will trip you when running, and you have to take them off to drive, etc. These, you don't. Since they were Civil War issue, no one can say they're not accurate. Copies of them were made for a long time. The 1876 pattern US cavalry boot is only slightly different. Similar boots could be expected to be available to civilians at the sutlers at Army posts. So they're correct with any Ranger costume and many cowboy costumes.

I see a lot of guys, usually big guys, with lace-up boots. Their feet are shot, and that's what they can wear. No one ever says anything about it. If you can't wear cowboy boots, do what you can. Remember, NO COSTUME POLICE.

SASS Classic Cowboy and SASS Classic Cowgirl Costuming Requirements:
Must choose at least three of the requirements listed below. All clothing items must be worn for the duration of the entire match, including awards ceremonies. Chaps, spurs, cuffs, scarf worn loosely around the neck or with scarf slide, tie, vest, pocket watch with full length chain, jacket, no straw hats allowed. ·In addition to the above items, ladies may choose from the items listed below in order to compete within this category: Period watch, split riding skirt, bustle, hoops, corset, Victorian style hat (straw allowed), period jewelry, period hair ornaments (e.g. feathers), snood, Reticule (period handbag), period lace up shoes, camisole, bloomers, fishnet stockings,

No Buscadero or drop loop holster rigs allowed. All boots must be of traditional design (i.e., leather or smooth rubber) with non-grip en-hancing soles. Hats must be worn for the entire match. (Source, Shooter's Handbook online, April 2003)

This is the "Big Bore/Uberti/Costume Vendors Benefit Category." I've asked the obvious questions: Can you wear a tie and a scarf and satisfy 2 of the 3 clothing items requirement? Apparently so. What's a full length watch chain? At least 11 feet, just kidding. Answer given: Not a watch fob. But you can stuff the whole chain in your vest or shirt or pants pocket. Can a woman compete wearing only the snood, hat, and jewelry? Depends on the club. Some are rather puritanistic, but it sounds good to me. Can you take the hat off when you sleep at night? No, when they say the entire match, they mean it. Shower in your hat if you must, but don't take it off. (Just kidding, I think.)

Now to women clothing.