Big Tex is sporting a fresh look for the 2026 State Fair of Texas, with a new shirt design that blends classic Western style with a distinctly Texas story. The State Fair of Texas partnered with Cavender’s Boot City to develop the style, color palette, and overall direction for Big Tex’s new shirt. The collaboration brings together the Fair’s iconic 55-foot cowboy and Cavender’s expertise in authentic Western wear.
“Nothing says Texas more than Big Tex and Cavender’s. Pair that with his pearl snap shirt, how can it be any more Texas than that! Big Tex’s shirt is featuring our signature Rafter C angled pearl snap pocket. It’s a match made in heaven! We are proud to be a part of such a great tradition,” says Clay Cavender.
Together, the State Fair of Texas and Cavender’s are introducing a new annual design tradition for Big Tex. Rather than replacing his entire shirt every three years, key elements of the design will evolve each year, keeping his iconic look fresh while giving each Fair its own visual story. The blue shirt panels will serve as the annual storytelling element, providing a canvas that can be refreshed to honor commemorative artwork, celebrate significant Fair milestones, or mark important moments in Texas and American history.
“We’re proud to partner with Cavender’s to bring together two Texas institutions that share a deep appreciation for the heritage and traditions of the Lone Star State,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas President. “Together, we’re establishing a new annual tradition for Big Tex that keeps his iconic Western style fresh while giving us a new story to tell each year.”
For 2026, the inaugural panel design celebrates 250 years of America, Texas style. The design offers a subtle nod to the milestone while staying true to Big Tex’s classic Western aesthetic. The result is a look that is distinctly Big Tex: iconic, authentic, and unmistakably Texas.