POWELL -- Nicole Michaels, dressed to the nines in a silky ankle-length skirt, frilly blouse topped with a feminine fedora-like hat, may resemble someone from yesterday, but it was only a few days ago when she donned her fetching apparel to represent her club, Chaps and Chapeaus.

Michaels, of Powell, favors Edwardian-era dresses of the early 1900s -- long flowing gowns with lots of frills and lace and fancy chapeaus (French for hats) trimmed with flowers.

Chaps and Chapeaus is a riding club, a group of women with a penchant for yesterday's dress and a love of equines.

The 20 Chaps and Chapeaus gals sport turn-of-the-20th-Century garments or togs from the 1800s, but don't fret too much over the old threads.

"We're not stuck by clothing requirements, for sure," Michaels said.

Nor are interpretations of period clothing strict.

Heck no, it's not about clothes. Well, not entirely. The club's passion is horses.

"The one thing we have in common is the love of the horse," Michaels said.

"It's a tribute to horses and Western heritage," she said.

The ladies have paraded on Labor Day in Meeteetse and will grace more parades in the future upon their exquisite horses and in their finery to promote the value of horses, Michaels said. It's a combination of dress-up for ladies and the fellowship they share, and it's family oriented too, Michaels said.

Michaels is breaking herself and her horse on a side saddle, and another member uses one as well. But an aside rather than astride saddle is not mandatory, she said.

Though the club is about loving horses, she said, having a mount is not a necessity. "But we would love to have some history buffs join us," Michaels said.

Hombres need not feel left out.

"We're certainly open to male members," Michaels said.

Michaels said most of the ladies are from the Powell area, but that doesn't hinder folks from beyond Powell joining.

Getting all gussied up may sound pricey, but that's not necessarily the case. Old-fangled raiment can be found at thrift and antique stores or on e-Bay, and vintage apparel may be hanging out in someone's attic, Michaels said.

In an arena north of Powell, Michaels works with Sage, 7. Sage, a beautiful brown and white paint, was rescued by Reaching Hands Ranch before Michaels got her.

Michaels is decked out once again in a long baby blue dress with a ruffled blouse and flowered hat. A shiny belt that would make Annie Oakley's eyes turn green with envy is looped about her waist. Michaels' shoulder-length hair is held in place with a decorative golden barrette resembling an heirloom passed from mother to daughter for generations.

Sage waits patiently while Michaels works with her other horse, Spring, 4. Michaels is sacking Spring, getting Spring used to a dress, before riding her. Like a curtain caught in a breath of wind, Michaels skims the skirt over Spring's shoulders and flanks.

In this way, Spring will become accustomed to the skirt that may flap a bit in the wind. Michaels said it behooves any rider to sack a horse with their slicker so they don't become agitated when the real thing may brush against them.

If Spring or Sage are comfortable with Michaels' skirt, they'll be better prepared for a variety of situations at a bustling parade, she said.

Michaels' cowboy beau, Albert Kukuchka, watches his sweetheart. With a thick mustache, battered cowboy hat and dusty vest, he could be a hand riding in from the range yesterday or yesteryear.

He said women enjoy riding, but not alone. Chaps and Chapeaus affords those ladies an opportunity to ride together.

Chaps and Chapeaus has no club dues.

"The membership due right now is good humor," Michaels said.