From the Saddle to Austin: My Ariat Full-Circle Moment
If you grew up around horses, you know one thing: certain brands stay with you forever.
For me, one of those brands has always been Ariat.
Long before Gal Off Duty — before boutiques, travels, and creating content — there was a younger version of me who spent most of her days at the barn. Riding, training, and living in riding boots and breeches.
And Ariat was always part of that world.
I had Ariat riding pants that I wore constantly and a pair of equestrian boots that seemed to last forever. They weren’t just clothes — they were part of the lifestyle.
So walking into the new Ariat store in Austin this week felt like a full-circle moment.
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The Boot That Made It Personal
Of course I couldn’t leave without a pair of boots.
But not just any boots.
One of the coolest things about the Austin store is that they offer custom branding in store, which instantly turns a piece into something personal.
So naturally we added:
GFD — for Gal Off Duty and a horse (because obviously 🐎).
Watching them brand the leather was mesmerizing. The heat press, the careful placement, the smell of the leather — it felt like a mix of craftsmanship and western tradition.
Now the boots feel like a little piece of my story.
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Why Ariat Is Named After a Racehorse
A detail I loved seeing in the store:
Ariat is actually named after Secretariat, one of the greatest racehorses of all time.
The founders chose the name because they wanted the brand to represent the same qualities he was known for:
• Power
• Performance
• Determination
Which honestly makes perfect sense for a brand built around riding and western culture.
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Western Style Is Having a Moment
Spending a few days in Austin also reminded me how much western style is having a moment right now.
Boots are no longer just for the barn or the rodeo.
They’re everywhere — styled with dresses, denim, tailoring, even city looks.
The pair I found might be my new favorite:
brown leather with gold floral detailing — classic but with a little personality.
Exactly how I like my pieces.
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Gal Off Duty Style Note
One of my favorite ways to style western boots right now:
• with relaxed denim
• a tailored blazer
• or a feminine dress
That mix of structured + western always works.
Austin definitely understands that vibe.
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A Little Reminder of Where It All Started
Moments like this always remind me how much our early passions shape everything we do later in life.
My love for horses, riding, and the equestrian world is still very much part of who I am today.
It shows up in unexpected ways — like standing in a boot store in Austin, branding a pair with GFD and a horse, and realizing that somehow all those worlds are now connected.
Fashion. Travel. Horses.
And the little details that make it personal.
And honestly, that’s what Gal Off Duty has always been about.
Cheers & martinis,
Frances
@GalOffDuty
