The world of western clothing suffered a huge loss this month with the death of Jack Weil. Mr. Weil, who passed away at the age of 107, is credited with inventing the snaps to the front of western shirts in the 1940’s. He is also known as being the originator of the infamous bolo tie.

Photo credit: Barry Gutierrez - Associated Press

The LA Times profiled the life of the man who changed western wear as we know it:

Considered the Henry Ford of the western shirt and a major force behind a notably American fashion, he was also said to be America’s oldest chief executive.

A visionary and a classic innovator, Weil conceived the idea more than 60 years ago that “Westerners needed their own fashion identity,” according to grandson Steve Weil.

Aiming to give western wear a look as distinctive as the region’s topography and lifestyle, his grandson said, Weil created a slim-fitting shirt with a cut, cuffs, pocketing and fastenings that would make it immediately recognizable.

“Every design element was given a flourish,” his grandson said. Distinctive in their dash and flair, the shirts featured a special yoke and elaborate hand embroidery.

Other designers, of course, helped create the western look, but Weil was there at the beginning and was considered “the father of the snap western shirt.”

Where would the world of western clothing be without Jack Weil? I’m pretty sure those long sleeved western shirts you love so much wouldn’t be quite so, well, snappy.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 1:44 pm and is filed under Country Western Style, Western Clothing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.