WILD RAGS:

Creating durability and style

it with a candle before sewing over it again. This makes the edge durable and smooth.

From start to finish, one wild rag takes approximately one hour to make. However, Smith makes them in batches. He threads his sewing machine with a particular color and chooses several patterns of fabric that will go with it. Then he cuts multiple scarves out at a time before moving on to sewing them.

Not only are the wild rags stylish, but they’re durable as well. When he first started making them, he tried putting a maker’s stamp on the back to easily identify his product. After a few tries, he decided the stamp was too hard to see on most prints and his edge was distinct enough to be recognized anyway. Smith ran into a friend recently that was wearing a wild rag with his edge. The friend explained that it had been traded between several cowboys before landing in his hands. Smith examined it closer and realized it had his stamp on it, meaning it was one of the first ones he made and was easily ten years old. Although it had a few tears and some cigarette burns, the edge was still holding strong.

Wild rags are a seasonal product, typically only worn in the cold months, so Smith has a peak season of sales during the year. Starting in October, he makes the majority of his sales leading up to Christmas. After the first of the year, his sales drop again. When he first started Z-Rags, he was making around 50 per year. Now he makes upward of 300 in a year.

Smith has taken his wild rag booth to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo for the past several years. The majority of his sales have been made at that booth, but he was unable to attend in 2022. Instead, Smith took Z-Rags to Christmas Around Callaway and was impressed with the local business. “It was great because I didn’t have the expense of driving anywhere and there were a lot of people that came through,” Smith stated. He saw a lot of value in the local show this year and plans to attend more local events in the future.

Z-Rags also has an online presence that draws business outside of his vendor booth. Smith advertises his wild rags on Facebook and has a website z-rags.myshopify. com for anyone looking to order online.

Smith has been making wild rags for ten years now. He explained that part of his success comes from being a good salesman. “The ladies love it when I model the wild rags for them,” Smith said. “They’re always surprised when I show them the different ways you can wear them.” He explained that wild rags are well known in the agricultural community, but can be worn by more than just cowboys. Tying the ends together allows it to be worn like an infinity scarf. Or with a little creativity and some safety pins, it would make a very stylish skirt. The possibilities are endless!

The wild rag business has been an important aspect in Smith’s life. “It allows me to justify staying inside when the weather is bad because I’m still getting paid,” Smith said. He also works in a high risk industry where he could easily get hurt and lose his job. Z-Rags would help support him and pay his bills if he was hurt.

Although it may not be a full-time business, the extra income has provided Smith with opportunities to build and expand his other ventures, take vacations or simply save it for a rainy day. What started as a way to make some extra cash in college has turned into a successful business keeping Nebraskans warm and stylish!

Meghan G’Schwind Meghan G’Schwind Pictured above are some of the wild rags that Z-Rags has available. From paisley to geometric, there is a color and pattern for every style. Each wild rag is a 45 inch square and is machine washable. Shown above is a popular way to tie a wild rag around your neck. This knot is often referred to as a buckeroo knot but goes by several other names as well. The finished knot forms a square that is stylish and secure. At right is another sample of patterns that Zane Smith makes into wild rags.