The Enduring Wild Rag -
A Legend Born from Necessity
Can a small square of cloth really be anything more than woven fabric? We think it can when it represents the very spirit for which its existence can be credited. Tool, garment and so much more, the wild rag has transcended its utilitarian beginnings and reemerged as a fashion and Americana icon.
Drive forward, persist, see what is over the next hill and explore the unfamiliar… this is the spirit of the wild rag… this is the spirit of Texas.
unassuming, versatile and ever-enduring, there is perhaps no greater embodiment of the Texan spirit, than the humble wild rag.
The Wild Rag
Past & Present
From its humble beginnings as a trail tool to protect from dust, sun and the occasional lawman; the common cotton cloth (often originally made from cut flour sacks on the trail) gave way to softer and more durable silk. Colors and patterns gave cowboy’s a way to showcase their individuality, and has helped transcend the wild rag into the fashion and Americana icon it is today.
We try to honor and embody that humble, yet bold spirit in every bottle we make, and are proud to do our small part to help continue the legacy of the wild rag.
Wild Rag FAQ's
Trail cowboys first began using cut squares of cloth (often from flour sacks when cotton was too costly or hard to come by) back as early as the mid-1800’s to filter trail dust and branding smoke, provide shade or warmth and serve a multitude or other functions (tourniquet, splint, hot pot holder, etc).
The wild rag can be seen being proudly worn in modern Cowboy culture, American Western fashion, and with the recent reemergence of cowboy and ranching lifestyle on mainstream television, you can even see it worn on shows like the popular TV series Yellowstone.
Ordinarily a wild rag is larger, and while there’s no hard rules on size standards for such a universal garment, a wild rag will typically measure 35″-42″. A bandana, or kerchief is typically smaller and sized for a pocket.
Early wild rags began using cotton, but the superior moisture wicking, warmth and feel soon had cowboys preferring silk. I mean, what flush cowboy back from a drive with a little coin jingling in his pockets would rather go into town with a flour sack around his neck, rather than soft, colorful silk?