Pitch perfect
Erling Haaland walks into a cowboy store.
World Cup fever is well and truly upon us. While I proudly support France — and have been teaching my two-year-old to shout Allez les Bleus! for the past few weeks — I have to admit that there’s one player who has completely stolen my attention this tournament: Erling Haaland. Forgive me, Mbappé, for I have sinned!
When the Norwegian striker isn’t smashing goals into the back of the net, he’s either serving up Snapchat gold or cementing his status as a bona fide style icon. And I’m not just talking about his Birkin collection.
Forget the football pitch. This week’s masterclass took place at Wild Bill’s Western Store, a Downtown Dallas institution that’s been outfitting cowboys and curious tourists alike for more than four decades. Inside the family-run hotspot, you’ll find handpicked cowboy hats in all shapes and sizes, leather cowboy boots from brands like Old Gringo and Lucchese, and just about every Western staple imaginable.
The piece that broke the internet with more than 3.5 million likes? A “Y’all Can Kiss My Dallas™” tee that the store describes as a blend of “hometown pride with unmistakable Texas swagger.” Since Haaland’s visit, Wild Bill’s has struggled to keep it in stock. There's something wonderfully unpretentious about the whole thing. No luxury boutique. No private showroom. Just a footballer wandering into a proper Western store and buying the sort of T-shirt anyone could take home.
I need to go, I thought.
But until my outdoor-loving toddler develops the patience for a 10-hour flight to Texas, making a wish list online will have to do. Consider this my summer transfer window: the Wild Bill’s pieces I'd happily sign for my wardrobe.
👢 Golden Boot Winners
You can trust me when I say that you’ll never regret investing in a seriously good pair of cowboy boots. As long as you care for them well, they’ll age beautifully and last for years to come. Wild Bill’s has so many gorgeous options, but my top three picks are the Tecovas The Annie Boots in a versatile café-brown, Circle G’s pretty floral pair and Dan Post’s high-heeled black ‘Maria’ style.
✨ The Buckle That Means Business
I declared myself a buckle bunny in my very first Substack post, and the cinching accessory is still one of my heroes for the season ahead. I’ve been searching for an authentic oval buckle ever since I spotted Paris Wycherley wearing one with checked pants, and this Star Links design reminds me of Ella Langley’s earworm Choosin’ Texas. I also love the nostalgia of this Brighton Fandango Concho belt, and would wrap it around everything from denim jumpsuits to chic blazers. The ostrich print on Tony Lama’s belt is cool, too.
🤠 The Hat Trick
If you’re looking for a cowboy hat for summer, Charlie 1 Horse needs to be on your radar — especially its collaborative collection with Lainey Wilson. Available at Wild Bill’s, the Mexico Shore hat in Bangora straw is a beachy style with a pinch-front crown that also works in the city. Speaking of Wilson, I’ve been searching for a red cowboy hat ever since I spotted the Phone, Keys, Wallet singer wearing one with a biscuit-hued Western shirt in her Netflix documentary, Keepin’ Country Cool. If I had to choose just one hat, the distinctive venting pattern on Bailey’s Vaughn style is really special.
🐴 For the Little Buckaroo
Currently, my little boy has two favourite songs to dance to: Vindaloo and Brunette by Tucker Wetmore. It’s very cute when he demands to hear “Tucker!” before bouncing along on his hoppy-horse. Considering his love of country music and horses right now, I would surprise him with this JT Love Texas toy, and replace the Nashville cowboy boots he’s grown out of with this Smoky Mountain Denver pair. Anything with wheels is also sure to be hit, making this Big Rig truck a must.
