# Big Tex gets a western makeover for 2026

> Dallas's iconic 55-foot cowboy returns to Fair Park with a brand new outfit designed by local companies.
- Title: Big Tex gets a western makeover for 2026 · Dallas Express
- Summary: Dallas's iconic 55-foot cowboy returns to Fair Park with a brand new outfit designed by local companies. Big Tex's new wardrobe marks a shift from 50+ years…
- Keywords: big tex, state fair of texas, fair park, dallas, cavender's boot city, resistol, levi's, aaliyah mcneal, dickies, lucchese boots, new wardrobe, news
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/city/big-tex-returns-to-fair-park-with-new-look-for-2026-state-fair
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-19T15:00:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: big tex, state fair of texas, fair park, dallas, cavender's boot city, resistol, levi's, aaliyah mcneal, dickies, lucchese boots, new wardrobe, news
## Big Tex returns to Fair Park
The 55-foot-tall cowboy was hoisted into place Friday morning, one week before the State Fair of Texas opens for its 140th year.
## New shirt and hat debut
Cavender's Boot City designed a red pearl-snap shirt with navy and white accents. Resistol, a Dallas-founded company, created a new 95-gallon cowboy hat.
## Custom jeans weigh 100 pounds
Levi's supplied new 501 jeans in size 434 by 240, requiring about 100 yards of denim and weighing roughly 100 pounds.
## Dallas designer wins boot contest
Aaliyah McNeal, a 31-year-old Dallas native, designed Big Tex's new size-96 Lucchese boots after winning the State Fair's boot design contest.
## Fair opens September 25
The 2026 State Fair runs for 24 days with the theme 'Stars, Stripes, and Howdies.' New attractions include a drone show, stunt comedy, and nearly 100 musical acts.
## Key takeaway

Big Tex's new wardrobe marks a shift from 50+ years with Dickies to partnerships with Cavender's, Resistol, Levi's, and a local boot designer.