Fancy Duds

April 20, 2007

HUDSON BLACK, 56, is a retired CTA bus operator and security officer who now works for a private company patrolling O’Hare’s parking lots on horseback. He is a member of the Rockin’ Horse Social Club, a private club in East Chicago that has line dancing on Friday nights.

Tell me about your outfit.

The bone coat has a stingray accent on the yoke and a pocket. Stingray—it’s part of the fish family. The belt buckle was given to me by a boot company. It was an affair we were at; it was a prize for best dressed. The belt buckle has an R on it—it was sharp, so we had the idea that everyone, all our members and our dancers should have it. That’s the official belt for the Rockin’ Horse Social Club.

How would you describe your style?

Western, that’s all. It’s upscale dress for western. These are my fancy duds.

How long have you been dressing like this?

Since I was a teenager. I been into horses since eight years old. Western dress can get expensive, but once I was financially able, I could start dressing western— probably since 19 years old. I love to line dance, and in western dancing that’s how we dress. I teach the dancing too.

What do you wear when you’re not dressing western?

I dress that way every day. Every day. I have other clothes, some nice Armani suits, but I don’t go anywhere to wear them. I do what I do. —Jessica Hopper