Rodeo season in Houston is about more than concerts and carnival rides. For many families, it is also about the outfit.
Boots, hats, denim, belts and accessories are part of the tradition. But depending on brand and material, a single pair of boots or a premium felt hat can cost several hundred dollars. Add in jeans and a shirt, and the total can climb quickly.
This year, some shoppers say they are approaching rodeo fashion differently.
KPRC 2 visited Patron Western Wear, a family-owned shop near Fountain View and Highway 59, to see how customers are navigating those costs and what strategies are helping them save.
A 40-year Houston business built on family
Patron Western Wear has been in the Houston market for about four decades.
“So we’ve been in the Houston market for about 40 years now. It is family-owned and operated,” said Eric Munrreal.
Munrreal said his parents started the business small, and it grew over time.
“So yeah, so they started actually very, very small and then from there they started growing and then they just got larger and larger,” he said.
Over the years, the store adjusted to economic changes and customer demand. Munrreal said it once carried everything from children’s apparel to women’s clothing, but later downsized and focused more heavily on men’s apparel, boots and hats.
“So before, we actually used to be a larger scale store. We used to carry everything from children’s all the way to women’s apparel. Throughout the years, obviously adjusting with the economy and also what the customer needs, what they want it. We went downsizing,” he said.
Today, the store displays roughly 900 hats year-round, in different colors and styles. It carries national brands and in-house labels, and even manufactures custom boots.
“So we do manufacture our own custom boots as well,” Munrreal said. “So you’re always gonna find something for you.”
He said one thing that sets the store apart is its one-on-one approach with customers.
“We definitely want to give the clients a one-on-one kind of experience,” he said. “We kind of take them through like, tell them, hey, it’s like your closet… we get them different options. They come in, we dress them up and we want to make sure they leave happy and come back.”
Shoppers are spending differently this rodeo season
While the merchandise has remained wide-ranging, Munrreal said spending habits have shifted.
“Well, I think right now people are also very focused on budgets right now. So people feel like they’re still spending the same, but they’re just more conscious of how they’re spending it,” he said.
He described a noticeable change from past years.
“Before we used to have customers come in and they’re like, ‘Hey, I have $500, I want just some boots.’ Now they still have $500. But now we’re creating the entire outfit.”
Instead of putting their entire budget into one high-ticket item, customers are spreading their spending across boots, denim, shirts and accessories.
Know the price range before you shop
Western wear spans a wide range of price points.
At Patron Western Wear:
• Kids’ hats start at $19.99
• Women’s hats start at $29 and up
• Standard leather boots start at $99
• Shirts can be found under $50
• Denim pricing varies by brand
More premium felt hats can reach several hundred dollars. Exotic leather boots made from ostrich, caiman or python can cost significantly more depending on craftsmanship.
Munrreal said understanding that range helps customers stay in control of their spending.
Start with one priority item
One strategy he recommends is identifying a must-have piece first.
“What’s your for sure item? If your for sure item is a hat or some boots, we want to be sure we start there and then build your outfit from there. Obviously keeping in mind your budget,” he said.
By anchoring the outfit around one item, shoppers can adjust the rest without exceeding their spending limit.
Shop before heading to NRG
Timing can also affect how much shoppers pay.
“Well, remember, you are at the rodeo, so it’s just like a carnival. Everything’s going to be expensive,” Munrreal said. “If you want to save a little bit of money, start shopping now.”
Buying on the rodeo grounds often comes with event pricing and impulse purchases. Shopping ahead of time gives customers more options and more control.
Putting the budget strategy to the test
Muñoz and Ninfa applied that approach by building full rodeo outfits while keeping cost in mind.
Muñoz focused on staples.
“Okay, so shirts under 50 bucks, jeans under 100,” Muñoz said. “Boots are under $100. And I went with a premium hat, but they do start off at $59.99.”
Ninfa balanced statement pieces with lower-cost alternatives.
“The necklace is under $30, the boots under $80,” she said. “I gave you a second option that’s just as cute and it’s under $60.”
Their experience reflected what Munrreal says he is seeing more often: shoppers mixing price tiers, planning ahead and building complete outfits instead of splurging on just one item.
Rodeo fashion remains a major part of Houston’s culture. But as families manage rising costs in other areas, many are approaching western wear with more intention.
Setting a spending limit, choosing a priority item first and shopping ahead of rodeo events are strategies that can help stretch dollars further.
Patron Western Wear is located near Fountain View and Highway 59 and has served Houston shoppers for about 40 years.