The Rodeo

Product Information: Cowboy Boots – Macy’s, Horse Earrings – FarFetch, Horse Scarf – Asos, Equestrian Clutch – Asos, Horseshoe Necklace – Marc Jacobs.

Living in a small Midwestern town in the ’60s, Ponyboy’s surroundings and social relations revolve, in some respects, around the rodeo. His older brother Sodapop loves horses, and once trained his own horse, Mickey Mouse, at a stable where he used to work. Two young ladies that Ponyboy meets at the movies, Cherry Valance and her friend Marcia, are both involved with the rodeo, and recognize Ponyboy from the time he and his brothers spent there. The rodeo isn’t just something to which the boys aspire, but it is also something that all classes — both Soc and greaser — can share in.

Draw a little inspiration from the rodeo by integrating a bit of the equestrian into your everyday look. Cowboy boots lend a bit of the beaten and worn, while the gold horse-embellished clutch, pony-shaped earrings, and printed scarf elevate the status of the rodeo with clean silhouettes and clear lines. An upside-down horseshoe is supposed to be bad luck, and this necklace alludes to the bad things to come in the novel, as the boys face adversity in their own hometown.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever read The Outsiders? Were you assigned it for a middle or high school English class? What do you think of the novel, and its depictions of warring youth? Have you seen the movie? What did you think of the outfits and styling tips? Let me know, in the comments below!