The cowboy hat is probably the most emblematic part of the cowboy's outfit. To make a homemade cowboy hat, look at a few typical cowboy hat designs online or in a Western-themed book. Use spare cardboard boxes to craft the hat's brim. Leave a hole in the center to fit the cap portion. For the cap, use an existing hat--even a basic beanie will do the trick. Cover the cap and brim portion with black or white construction paper. Put the cap on first, followed by the brim. Add feathers and other decorations as you see fit.
In addition to a hat, a typical cowboy wears other gear such as boots, chaps, riding aprons and cuffs. To simulate a cowboy boot with a regular shoe or boot, use spare fabric or paper to serve as the upper part of the boot. Tape the upper part of the boot to your pants and the lower section to your shoes. Other ways to attach the boots include a rubber band wrapped around the top of the boot, glue, safety pins or, if you use fabric, needle and thread. Decorate the boot with a metallic pen or glitter.
For chaps and riding aprons, the often-fringed leather or wool garments that cover a cowboy's legs, cut up an old shirt or pair of pants into the shape of chaps or riding aprons. To get a fringed effect on the chaps, make several small cuts on the left and right sides of the chaps. Separate cuts by approximately 1/8 of an inch. Your fringes should look thin and even. Attach chaps over the top of long pants with fabric glue, safety pins or thread.
To create a riding apron, cut off the lower half of your chaps (or cut the paper to only go down half as far as the chaps). Attach the apron in the same manner that you attach your chaps. Another option is to poke holes in the top of the apron/chaps with an awl or scissors, loop string through the holes, and tie the string to your belt loops. Use fabric paint, if desired.
Wear your boots and chaps along with your hat, a pair of blue jeans and a blue button-down denim shirt. If you have a black vest, throw that on as well. Remember to walk carefully once you have your costume on--paper boots will not hold up as well as the genuine article.
Any good cowboy has a slew of accessories. Outlaw cowboys may carry guns, while ranchers stick with lassos, ropes and quirts (a short leather whip).
If you want to dress up as an outlaw cowboy, carry a plastic gun grab a couple of sticks and fashion a simple wooden gun. Spray-paint the wood so it looks more like a real gun.
For ropes and lassos, look in your garage or storage closet for old ropes or string. Alternatively, you can purchase rope fairly cheaply at your local hardware or home improvement shop. For a more creative lasso, use the mess of electric wires and cables that many people have stashed around the house. Combine extension cords, telephone cords, video game controller cables or old power adapters to put together an impressive array of cowboy ropes.