Halloween Cowgirl Costumes

Everyone loves that hot cowgirl fresh off the farm, and this Halloween you can use that to your advantage. With pretty and sexy adult or teenage cowgirl costumes, you can surely awe everyone in the party. There's really a lot of styles to choose from when you want to dress out as a cowgirl on Halloween.

A cowgirl costume allows for many more accessories, but you can keep it as simple as you like. You'll need to buy the cowboy hat, boots and holster, but you can get away with a child's holster as long as it will fit on your waist. A denim skirt, especially a full knee-length skirt, gives you that perfect cowgirl air. Top your outfit with a plaid shirt, or with a white boy-cut shirt with a bandanna tied around your neck.

You don't have to wear a vest, but it really helps bring the cowgirl costume to life. You can't get away with the felt-vest dodge used in the little girl cowgirl costume, so you'll have to find a fringed leather, faux leather or denim vest that looks good with the rest of your costume. If you like, add a length of rope to the belt for a lasso. Go easy on the makeup; a wholesome, clean-cut look is better for this costume.

If you have the boots and the hat, it's simple to come up with a little girl cowgirl costume. Start with a plaid shirt and denim skirt, top with a leather fringed vest, and add a toy gun belt. For children over the age of 5, you can also cut the handles off a jump rope and coil that around the gun belt for a lasso.

If you can't come up with a fringed vest, it's simple to make one. Using a sleeveless shirt that fits loosely on your little girl as the pattern, cut the back and two sides of a vest from a piece of felt, allowing about 1 inch at the top and both sides under the arm for a seam. Allow about 4 inches extra at the bottom for fringe. Stitch the shoulder and two sides together, fitting it to your little girl when finished. When you're happy with the fit, cut fringe by snipping 1/2-inch wide strips from the bottom of the vest. Add a stick horse to the costume if you wish.

For Infants

The simplest way to make an infant cowgirl costume is to start with a basic brown or denim skirt. If you can't find cowboy boots in your baby's size, use brown knee-high socks. Follow this with a little plaid shirt, a vest matching the skirt, and a toy cowboy hat. Use brown denim or faux leather cloth to make a little belt, and stitch the belt onto the shirt or skirt. Do NOT leave the belt loose, as it can be a choking hazard. Instead of accessorizing with a gun or rope, give your little one a stuffed baby-safe plush horse to chew on.

You don't have to spend a ton of money rounding up a decent cowgirl get-up. With a little ingenuity you can design a cute cowgirl outfit for your little ranch hand without breaking the bank. Here are some tips:

* Purchase inexpensive vinyl boots and accessorize them with metallic gold tassels.

* Instead of purchasing an expensive custom-made Western shirt, buy a traditional button-down plaid shirt and tie the ends. Then, pair it with an existing vest or layer it over a white tank top.

* Embellish worn-out denim jeans with rhinestones, faux suede fringes or use fabric paint to add a Western-themed pattern.

* Add fringes to a denim skirt or dye your girl's skirt to match her boots.

* Look for used equestrian chaps at consignment stores, and then tailor them to fit your little cowgirl.

* Look around your house for leather belts with big metal buckles, and then alter them to fit your young wrangler.

* Pick up an affordable cowboy hat from a thrift store or discount retailer, then decorate it with string braids or jewels.

* Find an inexpensive denim jacket and personalize it with a Western design using fabric paint or colorful thread.

* Make a lasso out of a child's jump rope.

* Style your daughter's hair like a cowgirl's. Weave leather strips into her braids or simply make pigtails that fit securely under her cowgirl hat or a bandana.

* Accessorize with an inexpensive toy gun that you can buy at the Dollar Store.