Tell Me About Those Corsets

With women accounting for 30% of the shooters at this year’s Winter Range, it’s no surprise that a good chunk of vendors cater specifically to women. And when you consider that women can spend upwards for $5,000 on a single gown, it’s probably a good business to be in. We stopped in to visit with Pamela Atkinson of Katie’s Millinery out of Hemet, Calif. to learn more about outfitting today’s cowgirl.

Pamela  explained that it is common for women in Cowboy Action Shooting to own several gowns and build out a wardrobe in excess of $10,000. Her own outfit, the one you see her wearing in the photos, would cost a woman approximately $1,200 head-to-toe.

What I didn’t expect was that many women will buy from just one vendor instead of shopping from several.

“It’s not uncommon for women in the sport to buy only from one person,” explained Pamela.

And when you consider the relative complexity of ladies clothing of the period, the multiple layers and accoutrement, that can add up. Pamela carries everything a woman would need to dress the part in SASS, from full wigs and hair pieces, hats, corsets, dresses and gowns.

Of course, being men we didn’t hear much after the word ‘corsets’ and asked her for a little more information…for historical purposes only, of course.

Pamela told us about the differing styles as well as the various historical ‘protocols’ for wearing the garments that would identify a woman’s ‘line of work.’  Apparently, these weren’t simply suggestions but rules set forth by the town within which the women worked, with each town setting it’s own rules.

Like everybody we met along vendor’s row at Winter Range, Pamela was a real pleasure to visit with and incredibly informative, and not just on the topic of corsets.