2022-08-30 11:23:29
The desert-chic aesthetic may be enjoying its moment in the sun— splashed across current fashion pages and Pinterest boards in all its sun-bleached glory—but the iconic staples of the Southwest have a longstanding legacy, holding a well-earned place in both history books and local culture. Pick up a few staple pieces and learn their past along the way. The first stop on your shopping adventure? Make it to Paul Bond Boot Company, a family-owned business in Nogales that has been handcrafting custom cowboy boots since 1946. You’ll find everything from fancy footwear with showstopping stitching to sturdy boots made for a day’s hard work. Next up? A fashionable hat from Watson’s Hat Shop in Cave Creek. Cowboy hats—with their high crowns and wide brims—were originally designed to withstand long days of horseback riding and working in the sun, but today this accessory is made in all kinds of styles, fabrics and trims. Pick up a ready-to-wear piece or see what master hatter Eric Watson can create for you. Another must-have accessory is the bolo tie—also known as “the official state neckwear of Arizona.” Silversmith Victor Cedarstaff of Wickenburg claims to have invented this ornamental necktie in the late 1940s, and he later patented his signature yoke-style slide design to prove it. At Alltribes boutique in Gilbert, browse all manner of bolo ties, from simple sterling silver varieties to intricate Zuni pieces inlaid with turquoise and shimmering shell. Another signature fixture of the Southwest is artfully crafted turquoise jewelry, from delicate rings to statement squash blossom necklaces. Numerous American Indian tribes—including Navajo, Hopi and Zuni—revere turquoise for its natural beauty and mystical properties, as this precious stone carries a long legacy of cultural lore. Peruse the pieces at Native Jewelry Gallery in Williams, which sources its goods from local makers such as Navajo artists Calvin Begay and Jimmy Calabaza. Or stop by the daily Native Art Market in Old Town Scottsdale to browse the stalls of more than 300 small businesses under one roof. To bring the authentic Southwestern aesthetic into your home décor, pick up an heirloom-quality textile such as a rug or blanket. The Navajo people have long been esteemed for their mastery of weaving—a skill believed to have been taught to them by the deity Spider Woman—and the Historic Cameron Trading Post has been featuring these fine woven works since 1916. Or discover one-of-a-kind handwoven baskets from Second Mesa’s Iskasokpu Gallery, part of the Hopi Arts Trail. Iva— Hopi name Honwynum, which means Female Bear Walking—Honyestewa created the pootsaya basket during her artist residency at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, and it’s the first of its kind in the world. Your Arizona finds are sure to bring one-of-a-kind flair to your home and personal style. RANCH RETREAT Escape to the backcountry with a stay at one of the state’s many guest ranches, where the creak of your saddle and the crackle of your campfire nod to a slower pace of life. Hidden away on 590 acres in Sasabe, it’s easy to imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago when you stay at historical Rancho de la Osa. Fill your days with horseback riding, sport shooting, mountain biking, hiking, birdwatching or simply taking in the desert views. Want even more of a Wild West escape? Tombstone Monument Ranch sits just outside the most famous Western town of all: Tombstone. Saddle up and ride to town to see the famous O.K. Corral. At the all-inclusive Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch in Yucca, hone your Wild West skill set, such as barrel racing, target shooting, archery and billiards, and rest up in oversized rooms filled with Western décor. Or go for glam at the luxurious Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, where rooms are scattered about the grounds in lovely casitas, and the ranch features daily horseback rides, a full-service spa, trap and skeet range, tennis courts, swimming pool and an 18-hole golf course. Short on time? Venture just east of Phoenix to Apache Junction for horseback riding through the Sonoran Desert foothills on an easy half-hour excursion with O.K. Corral Stables. The spectacular scenery will satisfy your craving for a Southwestern escape.
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