Dallas - February 01, 2006

Western Union

Western Wear Exchange

Yankees are good at many things: tea parties (thanks, Boston), subways (we heart New York), and frozen precipitation (let it snow, let it snow).

But when it comes to dressing like a Texan, we leave that to the experts.

Like those over at Fort Worth’s Western Wear Exchange. The consignment store-cum-resale emporium sells only preowned country-savvy clothing. You can drop off your own goods (as long as they’re in pristine condition) or shop items like vintage pearl-snap shirts, authentic Lucchese boots, and swanky cowboy hats.

They take 50 percent of the asking price, which gets reduced by 25 percent after 60 days. So bring in only what you think will sell quickly. No plastic belt buckles or frilly bell-bottom chaps — things you probably wouldn’t have anyway.

Unless, of course, you were planning on dressing up as a Texan Doodle Dandy.

Western Wear Exchange, 2809 Alta Mere Drive, Fort Worth (817-738-4048 or westernwearexchange.com).