Working Ranch April/May 2025

Poncho Western Shirts

line of shirts inspired by her ranch ing roots and the many women she knew who were wearing men’s shirts because what was marketed to women was missing the mark. I already loved Ely Cattleman shirts and Jenna Paulette is the real deal when it comes to her music and her ranching. So, when they reached out to see if they could send me some shirts to try, I immediately jumped at the chance to snag a couple before they launched to the public and told them to send me a size medium. Medium because old habits die hard, and even as a fairly small woman, that’s what I’ve had to wear in wom en’s shirts if I want the shoulders to be broad enough and the tails and sleeves to be long enough. Turns out, these shirts are so legit and so made with actual women in mind that I can actu ally wear a size small as a small woman. The Cowboygirl collection addresses the need for “functionality in the saddle, designed to offer all the same benefits that men need working cattle, but with a style that is vintage and feminine.” The Cowboygirl shirts, now available through BootBarn, fea ture broader shoulders for more com fortable roping, longer tails for easier tucking, and a pen hole in the breast pockets that are big enough to hold a notebook. I smiled so big typing that! I can personally attest that the Cowboygirl collection is rangewear for girls who get the job done! Visit www.bootbarn.com and search “Cowboygirl” to check out the collection, which includes shirts for young cowboygirls as well. Reader’s Choice As I do for every issue, I went to the readers and asked for their recom mendations. This time around, the readers came in with one well-known brand and one fresh brand. Wrangler Two Wrangler classics kept com ing up - the Men’s Wrangler® Classic Denim Western Snap Shirt and the Cowboy Cut® Firm Finish Long Sleeve

PONCHO OUTDOORS

Western Snap Work Shirt in Chambray. The Classic Denim Snap Shirt is just that - classic. Made from 100% cotton denim, it’s durable enough for ranch work but comfortable enough for everyday wear. The snap closures make for easy on and off, and the front and back yokes give it that time less Western look. It’s a little heavier and nice on those mornings that start out crisp, and it holds up to the wear and tear of ranching. For those who prefer something lighter but just as tough, the Cowboy Cut Chambray Work Shirt delivers. The firm-finish cotton has enough structure to hold its shape, and with every wash, it softens into a shirt that feels like an old favorite. The pencil slot in the pocket is a useful detail, and the chambray fabric offers a breathable option for those hot, dusty days when staying cool matters. www.wrangler.com Poncho If you love the look of a classic Western shirt but wouldn’t mind a little extra function, Poncho Western Shirts might be right up your alley. They take everything we love in a

good ranch shirt - pearl snaps, west ern yokes, and a solid fit - and mix in a few modern upgrades that make sense for a long day’s work. The lightweight, quick-drying fab ric and vented back help keep things breathable and cool, and the UPF 50+ protection is a nice bonus on those bright, bright sunshiny (couldn’t resist using that song lyric). And then there are the little details - a hidden zippered pocket, built-in lens cloth, snaps to keep your collar in place - features you don’t necessar ily think about until you’ve got them. “Trav loves Poncho Ultra-Lite and Western shirts. He loves their shirts for work and for dressing up. They get greasy, dirty, trashed and still wash up nicely,” said Marissa Hake of Black Label Farms, on the Poncho shirts she bought for her husband. Be sure to follow @workingranchmag azine and me (@terryn.drieling) on Instagram to watch me try on, test out, and work in the ranchwear we feature here, let us know what works for you, and tell us what you’d like us to try before you buy. APRIL / MAY 2025 I 17