Obviously in movies clothing looks better than it likely did in daily life, which during the “old west” time period would be typically dirty, highlighted with more dirt.
Folks were lucky who had two sets of clothes- most folks had one set and that would include most hired cow hands. Some top men may have two. Three would mean you are very well off.
Sometimes having clothes is better than not in dry heat, as it will protect your skin from the direct sun, and sweat will still evaporate to cool you.
Having a rag or bandana to breathe through when dust/sand is kicked up by livestock translates a bit into the western wear theme as well.
Humidity is different, but the West is usually dry.
Plus it wasn’t quite as hot as it is now.
Men died more back then from everything, so it’s reasonable to believe that many did die from heatstroke, especially in areas where water is in short supply.
But it’s also true that humans are highly adaptable and most of these men were working and living outside, day after day, week after week. They had never felt air conditioning so were likely not in as much discomfort as a soft American would be.
These men often did not lead long lives, and often only did ranch hand work until they could make enough to start their own homestead or business or family. Some were criminals, some just started out poor - think of it as the factory job of that time period. Anyone could learn it- a few were good at it and moved up or started their own ranches.
They aren’t bootlicking, they’re telling you the fucking truth and you are too thick skulled and poorly educated to understand it… proving their point.
US citizens elected Trump. They believed the blatant lies despite being told the truth.
That’s all there is to it.
We are genuinely so fucking stupid as a society that we (not me- citizens in general) voted to give up all our rights and enable a Hitler wanna be.
And we are too stupid to understand that all it would take is a couple hundred thousand of us marching into DC and guillotining every member of government that allowed this, then allowing the military to conduct new elections with stricter rules. This process is literally in our constitution. Second amendment.
Prevent public officials from lying by law, stop lobbying, stop allowing money to matter in politics (no candidate may spend money on advertising of any kind.)
Each candidate gets one hour on free, live television/streaming to present their campaign. If they lie at any point, they are immediately disqualified. Then there is one debate. Lies are immediately disqualifying from public office here, too.
That’s it. Simple as can be.
But US citizens are too stupid.