Cowgirls everywhere are digging their boots out, dusting their hats off, and shopping at the best local boutiques, to prepare for Greeley’s biggest rodeo event of the year.
The Greeley Stampede is known for bringing people and communities together in many ways with western fashion being one of them. In honor of this year’s event, Tina Martinez, Senior Marketing Executive, Brand Partnerships for iHeartMedia/BIG 97.9, organized a collaboration between the Greeley Lifestyle and Windsor City Lifestyle magazines and the best local boutiques to style models and showcase this year's Greeley Stampede fashion trends. "The Greeley Stampede is the place to be seen each summer." Martinez said.
To help highlight this year’s Stampede fashion, Martinez partnered with Tara Rasmuson, owner and publisher of the Greeley Lifestyle magazine and Misty Dockins, owner and publisher of the Windsor City Lifestyle magazine to help bring this year’s project to life. “We wanted to pick a couple of boutiques from around the area, and highlight rodeo and concert fashion."
The photoshoot for the Stampede fashion collaboration was hosted at Greeley Hat Works, which is another staple to the Greeley community. "Anyone wearing a hat at the Stampede is wearing Greeley Hat Works,” Martinez said. “Greeley Hat Works is a staple partner in everything at the Greeley Stampede.” Boutiques and models for the shoot were selected by each project lead: iHeartMedia, Greeley Lifestyle, Windsor City Lifestyle and Greeley Hat Works.
Emilie Casseday, owner of Blush Boutique, modeled a linen dress with a classic jean jacket perfect for attending the rodeo or concerts. She styled Ashley Joy Lamar in a short gold sequin tiered dress, to wear to a Stampede concert. She also styled Tara Rasmuson in a lightweight black dress with a bralette for a classic rodeo look that could double for a concert outfit or a Stampede dinner function. “That’s what makes the rodeo so fun, you can wear a classic piece and it’s always going to be in style,” Casseday said.
Linda Winter, owner of Accessories with a Flair… and Hair!, opted for a western print poncho paired with black gauchos. She styled Teresa Stephens and Elizabeth Leos, Stampede Committee wives in versatile outfits for any Stampede event. Stephens wore a short black dress, accented with southwest print on the bottom and sleeve cuffs, while Leos wore a black studded fringe mini-skirt paired with a black fringe suede jacket. Winter chose a traditional western outfit for model Deanna K Swetzig, who wore fringe leggings with a green lace tunic. “Any outfit can look western with the right accessories,” Winter said. “We have hundreds of pieces to make you look western chic for the Stampede.”
Megan Sitzman, owner of Country Glitz Boutique modeled classic flare jeans with a black lace bodysuit, accessorized with chunky jewelry and a belt. She styled Misty Dockins in a short long-sleeve denim dress, accessorized with a turquoise belt. Sitzman opted for a bolder look styling Lidia Varela, internal marketing and events coordinator for High Country Beverage, in a burnt orange long-sleeve minidress and a more traditional look for Christina Koder with RE/MAX Alliance, Windsor, in a white lace sundress accented by a bralette. “I am loving the high waisted shorts or bell bottom jeans this year,” Sitzman said. “Even though I’m a mom, I still really encourage people to go out there and try the crop tops—you can always dress it up with a tie or belt.”
Kaeleen Lane, owner of Coast-to-Coast Styles, styled Tina Martinez in bold snake print flare jeans with a fringe black jacket and long red earrings. She also styled Jasmyn Walker, Stampede Committee wife, in a chic floral print ruched dress with a high slit. Lane modeled a classic rodeo look pairing two-toned flare jeans with a white lace top accessorized with turquoise jewelry. “A good flare jean and a classic concert tee are staples in rodeo fashion,” Lane said. “But you have to accessorize with a hat.”
A hat is the finishing touch to any rodeo outfit that really brings the outfit together. “The hat is an extension of your personality,” Trent Johnson, owner of Greeley Hat Works said. “Everybody looks good in a hat, but you have to find the right hat.” The hat in terms of the Greeley stampede represents the western way of life that is deeply rooted in Greeley culture. “It’s a sense of pride, heritage, and appreciation for the American west and Greeley is the mecca of the west,” Johnson said.
The Stampede is hosting their 101st season celebrating western heritage and northern Colorado communities. “It’s fun and it’s all about tradition and bringing all of the communities together,” Martinez said. What started as just a small rodeo over a century ago, has evolved into an annual tradition for community, family, fun, and of course fashion.
Linda Winter
Owner of Accessories with a Flair... and Hair!, Greeley
"When dressing for the rodeo, glitz and bling is always good. I have been a sponsor of Miss Rodeo Colorado for 21 years… They wear my extensions because it’s all about the big hair."
Emilie Casseday
Owner of Blush Boutique, Greeley
"For the carnival, I wear something that's okay to get a little dirty running around with my kids. I like to wear jumpsuits that have a little country flair, so I’ll put my hair in pigtails, accessorize with cute jewelry, and wear some tennis shoes."
Megan Sitzman
Owner of Country Glitz Boutique, Windsor
"To dress for a concert, the cut tops are really in. Bling it up with chunky jewelry, and pair it with a great hat...I started at the Stampede nine years ago with a little booth, now growing into two stores has been amazing.”
Kaeleen Lane
Owner of Coast-to-Coast Styles, Windsor
“For this year's trends, fringe and concert vintage tees are coming back. Booties were all the rage and now it’s all about the knee-high boots. Turquoise will never go out of style—it adds flair.”
Trent Johnson
Owner of Greeley Hat Works, Greeley
“What people don’t realize is there is a difference between a cowboy hat and a western hat. A western hat is inspired by the west—Americana. The thing about a cowboy hat, think “what would a cowboy wear?” that’s a cowboy hat.”
