Big Bend Saddlery in Alpine, TX, is the real deal. Perched at the eastern edge of town, its history dates to 1905. Competing saddle makers had set up separate shops in Alpine and nearby Marfa, back when the Wild Wild West was actually wild. The frenemies eventually merged businesses in the 1970s and opened this store, which is legend in the area for its fine selection of saddles, ropes, reigns, stirrups, whips, bits, bridles, chaps, spurs, and holsters.

No ranch to call your own? No problem. The shop also sells beautifully tooled leather wallets and journals, horsehair keychains, buck-stitch belts, bolo ties, denim work shirts, cowhide rugs, Pendleton blankets, locally made hot sauces, and Western-themed kids books (our favorite: Goodnight, Texas, a horsey parody of Goodnight, Moon). If nothing else, there’s an excellent selection of straw and palm leaf hats, which the friendly workers will pinch, shape, and custom-fit to your fat noggin. Horsehair hat bands and stampede strings come in dozens of colors and patterns; wear one on your new hat or let it do double duty as an unexpected statement necklace.

2701 US-90, Alpine, TX; 432-837-5551.