Every year at the Calgary Stampede, people show up in droves wearing their western-themed best. This year, despite the heat, people still brought their A-game. While cowboy boots, hats and denim are staples year after year, many outfits also feature special items with their own interesting stories.
Here are some of the cool looks we saw this year at the 2024 Calgary Stampede.
Wei Tu
This was Wei Tu’s first time at the Calgary Stampede. Tu wore a vintage, red button-down shirt with black accents that was brought over from Tu’s partner’s aunt’s vintage shop in Eastern Canada.
Bren Little Light
Most of Bren Little Light’s outfit was thrifted, with some key exceptions: The hat is from Calgary company Smithbilt Hats, while the jewellery, which includes earrings and a matching necklace, was handmade by a talented Stoney Nakoda artist named Melinda Bearspaw.
Marek Pilniak
After a great first Stampede experience, Marek Pilniak, who moved from Poland and now resides in Dublin, is back visiting extended family in Calgary for his second Stampede visit. Pilniak shared that he was given this western-wear shirt as a birthday gift for his second trip.
Laura (left) and Cameron Todd
Laura and Cameron Todd pose inside the BMO Centre in their western-wear fits. The Todds were the first couple to be married in the rodeo arena and started a western-wear resale business six years ago. In past years, these Stampede enthusiasts have used the proceeds from their business to bring neighbours and friends, including newcomer Ukrainian neighbours, to their first Stampede.
Connie DeSousa
Connie DeSousa is a local Calgary chef behind spots like Charcut and Charbar. This year, DeSousa wore a Smithbilt hat, which was customized with dried wildflowers from Wild About Flowers for her wedding three days before, with a dress from Cody & Sioux and pink boots from 27 Boutique.