Yeehaw! The country girl style is back. But was ever really gone? With its rich exposure throughput pop culture over the last century the trend has reappeared every now and then. But judging by the moment, the trend seems to go for a strong return for the next season. So let’s go through it all. Let’s see how the latest runway shows, music launches, series and more, have slowly building up to the hype of western style fashion.
Are you feeling nostalgic already? Throughout the last year, western style fashion was slowly but surely making its way n the runways, into music, and film once again. We’ve seen it across Fashionweeks, in Beyonce’s newest release Texas Hold’em, or in shows like Yellowstone. Luckily this is not my first rodeo when it comes to the trend as it has frequently been in and out of style again and again over the last decades. So I want to through it in detail, take a look at our closets, to see what we can bring back ourselves, and see how the trend presents itself this time around. And we’re also back to complete outfit ideas in classic, elegant, casual, and playful.
As seen in fashion lately
With pinched waists, heavy outerwear, long flowy skirts, fringes, tassels, and even Stetson style hats, the runways have been presenting quiet to homage to the western style for over a year and across genders.
Curious to fully catch up on the runways? Check the blog posts below.
Ralph Lauren
SS 2024
Louis Vuitton Men FW 2024
Elie Saab
FW 2024
A walk down memory lane
Of course flannels, hats, and jeans have always been a part of the country music genre, but even outside southern pop culture, the look has always made a statement. Madonna even dedicated a whole artistic era to the cow girl look. And the most popular clothing items of all times – the jeans – goes back to the Wild West. So it’s no surprise that the style has always inspired artist across all genres.
Lefts to right: Madonna on her album cover ‘Music’ 2000, Jessica Simpson in ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ in 2005, Chloe Sevigny in ‘Big Love’ in 2006, Evan Rachel Woods and Jeffrey Wright in Westworld in 2016.
The new and the old
So we’ve established the presence of the western style across the last decades and across most genres. We are also aware on how it was presented recently on the runways. It’s a little more shiny this time around, a little more mixed up with other trends, but eventually it still comes down to the most recognizable and unique items of the trend. And good news are, we most likely can already find the in our wardrobes.
This list provides you with what to look for to make the most of your beloved purchased from the past:
- Anything denim: vests, pants, skirts – anything goes pretty much. Just stay away from too preppy or skinny styles
- Boots: This comes to no surprise. Make sure the boots you choose aren’t to dainty but rather go for a more ruff style with a thicker heel
- Maxi skirts: Go for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, denim, or even leather. And this time around wear them with something loose on top.
- Belts: A western style buckle but be the obvious choice, but there’s room to play with big buckles, metallic or exotic leather
- Saddle bags: Saddle bags have never been out of style but they’ll be come in especially handy this season
And here are a few tipps on how to avoid a costume character for western style fashion:
- Mixing to many colors: the outfit is bold and has a specific character already, so you can fully rely on that without adding more effects
- Fully thrifted looks: thrifting is generally a blast and comes with plenty of benefits. However for a retro trend I would recommend mixing in a few basics or modern pieces to give it a modern styling
- Combining too many pieces of one trend: try to find your it-piece and style the outfit around it. Not only will you find more styles to wear it, you will also feel fashionable but yet representative of your own style.
Classic western style
Here’s a classic for a classic. An American tuxedo with western details. Start with flared jeans and a white blouse. To break the look but remain its classic appearance, style it with a chain necklace and an Isabel Marant bag and boots. To cover up style it with some leather, like a trench coat from The Frankie Shop.
Ganni
Levi’s
Rabanne
Style with
Elegant western style
For the base of an elegant western fit combine a leather button down with a denim skirt and some knee-high boots. Then play with metallics, like a Rabanne sequin scarf, a Valentino bag, and a Khaite belt. Unbutton the shirt a little and wear your hair up so the jewelry can really stand out.
Maje
Isabel Marant
Paris Texas
Style with
Casual western style
For a casual style start with a pair of loose jeans, a flannel shirt, and a tank top. To keep it modern pair it with ballet flats from Maje. Since western fashion is generally casual it goes really well with more casual jewelry like the Tiffany’s ‘Return to Tiffany’-necklace. For the spring time through on a cozy vest like this dream from Marni.
Agolde
H&M
Maje
Style with
Playful western style
Make your cow girl boots really pop by wearing them with shorts. For the modern Daisy duke look update them by going for loose Bermudas and pair them with high cowgirl bots by Ganni. Add a dramatic blouse and a denim west to it. Then finish the outfit with a Bottega Veneta bag and a single Blumarine earring.
Agolde
Nina Ricci
Agolde
Style with
Weekly inspiration
This post comes out shortly after the Oscars 2024. And since the last years have been somewhat turbulent in the film industry with the raise of streaming platforms and series, misbehavior from attendees, and the writer’s strike, this year’s came with plenty of built up. The event however was entertaining and exciting. So rewatch the season’s highlights, get inspired to watch movies you might have missed – and make sure to recap the red carpet looks on Vogue.
My favorite was Versace, dressing Margot Robbie and Ferrera who attended for Barbie.
One response to “Western style: the return of cow girl fashion”
Hey There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. This is a really well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your helpful information.
Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.