Cowboy culture has its roots in the Spanish settlements in Mexico, but nowadays we associate it with the south and southwest of America. Globally, cowboys are incredibly recognizable and have been seen in the media, often portrayed as cool outdoorsy types with a hardline attitude.
Clint Eastwood and John Wayne aren’t the only images that should spring to mind when we think of all the ways that cowboys have gotten into modern culture and the entertainment industries, and in this guide, we’re delving into some of the other places you can see the impact of cowboy culture.
Casino Games
Casino gaming is more popular than ever, and there are a few different ways in which cowboy culture has impacted casino games both in-person and online.
A look at a selection of casino games online will show that cowboy culture has crept into a few different areas, such as slot games, where the South of America and cowboys have become the theme of some of the games. Slot games may have cowboy boots, hats, and other elements that are used as the imagery, and even mini-games with a focus on the Western theme.
Another way that players who are playing online casino games for real money will notice cowboy culture creeping in is within some of the table games such as poker. In poker, the term cowboys is used to refer to pocket Kings in Hold’em variations of the game, so some of the slang of the game even refers to cowboy culture.
Fashion
The iconic look of the cowboy is something that is known all over the world, and this means it has had a huge impact on fashion, with certain looks inspired by the unique outfits of cowboys and cowgirls making their way to Rome, Paris, and beyond. Cowboy hats are the most famous out of the looks, but let’s not forget the boots, checked button-down shirts, and big belt buckles.
Cowboys have a distinctive look that never goes out of style on the western ranches, but around the world, we’ve seen it be the height of fashion at certain times, and current celebs like Gigi Hadid and Lady Gaga have helped to keep the fashion of cowboys in the news and the magazines.
“Western Wear” is a term that is used to describe fashion that is derived from the 19th century in the Wild West, often worn by cowboys, and though some of the clothes we see in this type of fashion are traditional, some come from the over-the-top looks of film and TV and depictions that were a little cartoonish at times.
Movies
Western movies are an unstoppable genre, and whenever it feels like we’ve seen the last Western, they tend to come back, with a new twist on the genre. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘The Hateful Eight’ are two examples of recent movies that fit the genre and have some cowboy vibes within.
Cowboys are just one element of Westerns of course, but cowboy culture has definitely influenced the look and feel of the Western. Think of this type of film or television show and you’ll think of things like gunslinging cowboys, saloon-style bars, and rural American locations.
Westerns even expanded into some subgenres and different takes, such as the Spaghetti Western, films made in Europe in the genre, which surprisingly accounts for some of the best films made in the eras of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and have influenced directors such as Quentin Tarantino.
Video Games
Say the name ‘Red Dead Redemption’ to any gamer and they’ll probably know exactly what you’re talking about, as this game is one of the most famous of recent decades and was hugely critically acclaimed.
Red Dead Redemption is a game set in the year 1911 and follows protagonist John Marston in the search for justice for his family. Brutal at times, the game (and its sequel) has become known for pushing the boundaries of open-world games, and as with a lot of Western-themed games, it features a whole lot of cowboys.
Other games have delved into cowboys and Western themes before though, and while RDR might be the best franchise, gamers may remember other attempts such as Call of Juarez and Gun, games made in the 2000s that feature cowboys. Westerns are normally in the first-person shooter genre of video games but there are exceptions to that too.
Conclusion
Cowboys are one of the iconic images of America, and people all over the globe know exactly how a cowboy looks, with lots of films, video games, and more forms of entertainment looking to embrace cowboy culture. People from America sometimes love these depictions, and sometimes they fall short, but there’s no denying that the idea of cowboys has captured the global imagination and become a huge part of life far beyond the Southwest of the United States.
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