Florida heat and cultural appropriation

[Mezcal Charlie]

I moved to Florida from cooler climes recently and have the idea of dressing like the peasant farmers in the Magnificent Seven. You know basically cotton scrubs and Huarache sandals and sombrero. Any opinions?

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I've seen peasant outfits before.  They looked comfy.

[La Sombra]

Trust me they are! Instead of huaraches I wear Birkenstocks. They are already broken in to my feet. Be aware some clubs require closed toed shoes.

[Whitey James]

I'm giving up on "Classic Cowboy" in the summers here in Tennessee. I just can't handle the heat and humidity while wearing all that stuff. 

In the summertime I will shoot the same guns but just shoot in my age category wearing the coolest clothes possible.

[La Sombra]

Oh yeah. Check that your boxers do not show through. I had to go with the classic tightie whities for my summer wear. (Discovered before I went to the range.)

 

[Mezcal Charlie]

On 10/28/2025 at 1:08 PM, Whitey James said:

I'm giving up on "Classic Cowboy" in the summers here in Tennessee. I just can't handle the heat and humidity while wearing all that stuff. 

In the summertime I will shoot the same guns but just shoot in my age category wearing the coolest clothes possible.

Wouldn’t the peasant look of Mag 7 be an accurate old west look? 

[John Kloehr]

42 minutes ago, Mezcal Charlie said:

Wouldn’t the peasant look of Mag 7 be an accurate old west look? 

Accuracy is only one possible way to meet costuming requirements, I do not consider Hollywood a source of historical truth.

 

IMO, as long as no other rule is violated, the only possible argument would be if Magnificent 7 fits one of the listed qualifying examples. Some consider Magnificent 7 an "A" Western yet I can not see it would not have been shown on Saturday morning at the matinee. I also remember watching M7 on TV many times. Assuming you could not find a similar match in either real history or a lower-budget movie, we can turn to the rules. Separate from specific costume categories, the handbook has these relevant paragraphs (with my BOLD):

 

"

 

CLOTHING & ACCOUTREMENTS

Cowboy Action Shooting™ is a combination of historical reenactment and Saturday morning
at the matinee. Participants may choose the style of costume they wish to wear, but all
clothing must be typical of the late 19th century, a B-Western movie, or Western television
series.

...
All clothing and equipment must be worn appropriately and how it was intended, or how it
would have been in the Old West or as seen on B-Western movies and television.

 

"

 

Shortly before these paragraphs, there is also:

 

"

 

SELECTING A SASS ALIAS

Your SASS Alias is exclusively yours. Every SASS member is required to select an alias that
closely represents a character or profession from the Old West or western film genre.

 

"

 

So how might Mexcal Charlie dress? Is this character a peasant? Seems he could be. Barring official disagreement, I see no problem.

 

On edit: The historical John Kloehr is in my avatar. I have a common cowboy hat and dress nicer than he did. I'm going by the legend and not the history, how Hollywood might have defined his look for a movie. Comfort is important, no way I am going to choose a heavy jacket like he wore in the picture, not with 90 degree days with 90% humidity.

Edited October 29 by John Kloehr
Otto

[Mezcal Charlie]

15 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

Accuracy is only one possible way to meet costuming requirements, I do not consider Hollywood a source of historical truth.

 

IMO, as long as no other rule is violated, the only possible argument would be if Magnificent 7 fits one of the listed qualifying examples. Some consider Magnificent 7 an "A" Western yet I can not see it would not have been shown on Saturday morning at the matinee. I also remember watching M7 on TV many times. Assuming you could not find a similar match in either real history or a lower-budget movie, we can turn to the rules. Separate from specific costume categories, the handbook has these relevant paragraphs (with my BOLD):

 

"

 

CLOTHING & ACCOUTREMENTS

Cowboy Action Shooting™ is a combination of historical reenactment and Saturday morning
at the matinee. Participants may choose the style of costume they wish to wear, but all
clothing must be typical of the late 19th century, a B-Western movie, or Western television
series.

...
All clothing and equipment must be worn appropriately and how it was intended, or how it
would have been in the Old West or as seen on B-Western movies and television.

 

"

 

Shortly before these paragraphs, there is also:

 

"

 

SELECTING A SASS ALIAS

Your SASS Alias is exclusively yours. Every SASS member is required to select an alias that
closely represents a character or profession from the Old West or western film genre.

 

"

 

So how might Mexcal Charlie dress? Is this character a peasant? Seems he could be. Barring official disagreement, I see no problem.

 

On edit: The historical John Kloehr is in my avatar. I have a common cowboy hat and dress nicer than he did. I'm going by the legend and not the history, how Hollywood might have defined his look for a movie. Comfort is important, no way I am going to choose a heavy jacket like he wore in the picture, not with 90 degree days with 90% humidity.

I get your point and mine was unclear. The peasants portrayal was cliche but the garments were, in my opinion, accurate. I taught history and an MAT grad degree in teaching history from Clemson and Masters from Nebraska at Kearny in American History with a focus on the American west. 
I’m not one to study the rule book looking for violations because, in the end, we’re all just reenacting some time in history: just for most it’s their pre teen youth with cap guns and TV westerns. 
That said, many costumes I see are very good examples of how people dressed. With one exception: where are the poor folk? The rummies and losers wearing rags? 
in this frame of mind I think peasant whites held up with rope and leather sandals plus a gun belt and sombrero would meet the true definition.  JMHO

[John Kloehr]

3 hours ago, Mezcal Charlie said:

That said, many costumes I see are very good examples of how people dressed. With one exception: where are the poor folk? The rummies and losers wearing rags? 
in this frame of mind I think peasant whites held up with rope and leather sandals plus a gun belt and sombrero would meet the true definition.  JMHO

Agree, just no drinking until after the match. I'll be surprised if someone has a valid reason for your proposed costume not being within the rules. Not that I would argue with a certain someone who speaks with the authority of God. I shall not say his name.

Edited October 30 by John Kloehr
I "propose" Otto must die, in "repose" would be fine and his choice in this post

[Mezcal Charlie]

1 hour ago, John Kloehr said:

Agree, just no drinking until after the match. I'll be surprised if someone has a valid reason for your reposed costume not being within the rules. Not that I would argue with a certain someone who speaks with the authority of God. I shall not say his name.

Mezcal Charlie is, in reality, Arnold Palmer Charlie. Mezcal disappeared somewhere in Bush’s second term. 

[John Kloehr]

50 minutes ago, Mezcal Charlie said:

... Mezcal disappeared somewhere in Bush’s second term. 

It is available today, but with a 25% tariff. I prefer Tequila, partial to Don Julio Silver (Blanco). Same tariff. Off topic, but the reason for the worm in Mezcal is to "prove" strength and quality; if watered down, the worm would mold and rot.

[Mezcal Charlie]

37 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

It is available today, but with a 25% tariff. I prefer Tequila, partial to Don Julio Silver (Blanco). Same tariff. Off topic, but the reason for the worm in Mezcal is to "prove" strength and quality; if watered down, the worm would mold and rot.

I meant Mezcal Charlie disappeared. But yes Mezcal is very good. I like Hornitos when I can get it. 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

John, I think those rulebook items you quoted have been there pretty much from the beginning, but for some time now they seem to be merely "suggestions" rather than guidelines.  B-Western in particular, but other categories as well, some very blingy, many quite original, you see a lot of looks that are pretty far removed from anything seen in movies, TV, or period photos.   Some people like to be different, just part of the variety, and is pretty much totally accepted.  You may have heard of this guy, Gunzilla... 

[La Sombra]

Since y’all are talking about Tequila, here is my winning 1st Place costume for Best Dressed Gentleman at 2024 Hell on the Border. I was an agave harvester, a jimador.  Trim the leaves back exposing the “pineapple” and then digging it up to be baked. I recently used the same base costume to do an impression of a Cuban Guerrilla supporting US forces in the Spanish American War. Won 3rd Place Best Dressed Gentleman with it at Comancheria Days 2025.

So it is a versatile costume. Wore it at Land Run this year just to shoot in one day.

 

My buddy misspelled my alias in this photo.

[Mezcal Charlie]

10 hours ago, La Sombra said:

Since y’all are talking about Tequila, here is my winning 1st Place costume for Best Dressed Gentleman at 2024 Hell on the Border. I was an agave harvester, a jimador.  Trim the leaves back exposing the “pineapple” and then digging it up to be baked. I recently used the same base costume to do an impression of a Cuban Guerrilla supporting US forces in the Spanish American War. Won 3rd Place Best Dressed Gentleman with it at Comancheria Days 2025.

So it is a versatile costume. Wore it at Land Run this year just to shoot in one day.

 

My buddy misspelled my alias in this photo.

That’s exactly what I’m looking to do! Good job!

[John Kloehr]

12 hours ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

John, I think those rulebook items you quoted have been there pretty much from the beginning, but for some time now they seem to be merely "suggestions" rather than guidelines.

Other than a few specific items like prohibiting sports shoes and requiring long sleeves, and not going into the costume categories, just looking at the general guidance... It seems to read as more inclusive than exclusive. More open to acceptance than restrictive to a limited range.