Cowboy style’s so in right now, with top stars, fashion icons, and the man on the street embracing down-home country-style wherever they go.
Recently, Lil Nas’s Old Town Road became the longest-running No1 Billboard hit in history. Artists like Cardi B, Mac De Marco, and Kacey Musgraves have also hopped on board the cowboy bandwagon.
From the catwalks of New York to the red carpet of Cannes, cowboy style is all the rage when it comes to fashion.
Here’s how you, too, can master the modern cowboy look.
Doing Denim the Right Way
Double denim can work with cowboy style as long as you choose items that aren’t the same color. A slight variation in the wash will do just fine.
There are a few exceptions, though. A denim jacket and a denim shirt are a no-no, regardless of the shade of each item.
Rather opt for a plaid or Western-style shirt if you want to wear a denim jacket. A white T-shirt with a plaid shirt and denim jacket can add an element of city-chic to your cowboy getup.
Authentic cowboys usually stick to workmanlike brands such as Wrangler or Levi.
Urban cowboys can get away with any brand they like, although you want to ensure they’re wide enough to fit over your boots.
No cowboy ever wore their jeans tucked into their boots.
Buy the Right Boots
A great pair of cowboy boots is the cornerstone of an authentic Western look.
The two main styles of boots are roper boots and Western boots. The former is slightly shorter than classic cowboy boots and usually has a rounded toe.
More conventional cowboy boots reach up to mid-calf with a pointed toe and a higher heel.
Neutral colors like black or brown are best, although people have been stepping out in boldly colored boots lately too.
Choose the highest quality leather you can afford and always choose a boot that reaches just below your knees.
You can opt for boots with fringes or patterns imprinted on them, as well as colored leather, like snakeskin.
There is also a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to heel height and toe styles.
A pointed toe’s best for a more formal look, while a round or square toe suits a casual cowboy style.
Cool Cowboy Hats
After boots, a cowboy hat’s the next essential wardrobe item for a Western look.
Like boots, you’ll find yourself with a huge variety to choose from. Pick one that you feel comfortable in.
Some of the different varieties of cowboy hats include:
- Stetson
- Ten gallon
- Cattleman
- Biggs
- Brick
The main difference between these is the crease style.
Always check out your look in a mirror when buying a cowboy hat since the crease will affect how well a hat suits your face shape.
Buckle-Up in Style
Buckles are trophy items among rodeo stars who win them thanks to their prowess with bucking broncs and bulls. So, if you can find an authentic second-hand belt buckle, you’ll tick both the retro and the cowboy fashion boxes.
These items are highly and often handed down from father to son, so if you can’t find a real one, an imitation will do.
Cowboy belts are always brown leather, but buckles should be as ornate as possible. Bigger is always better when it comes to a cowboy belt buckle.
The Best Western Shirts
When we think of Western-style shirts, plaid or denim are usually the first things that spring to mind.
You do have other options when you’re trying to achieve a cowboy look for men or women.
Any simple cotton shirt will do as long as it’s long-sleeved, buttoned-down, and has a collar. If you do decide to go with a plaid shirt, red or blue designs are best for creating a country feel.
Women can get away with tying their shirt at the waist, but if you don’t have the abs for that, tucking your shirt into your jeans is just fine.
More Cowgirl Style for Ladies
There are plenty of dresses that look good with cowboy boots if you don’t want to embrace the denim jeans trend.
Almost any type of short dress goes well with western style. A denim skirt looks just as good as a more formal little black dress or loose-fitting gingham frock.
Avoid tight dresses as they aren’t a top hit on the Western frontier. Cowgirl style is all about simple, comfortable fashion.
Some of the coolest cowboy accessories include fringed bags, oversized scarfs, woven ponchos, buckled booties, and bandannas.
Of course, you’ll also find a huge array of cowboy-themed earrings, necklaces, bolo ties, and bracelets. Turquoise is one of the hottest colors for your cowboy bling.
Don’t Overdo the Cowboy Look
Unless you’re going to a real-life rodeo, avoid dressing in top-to-toe cowboy attire.
Donning steel-toe boots, a cowboy hat, double-denim, chaps, spurs, and a bandanna’s overkill, and it’ll make you look like you’re off to round up the steers.
Rather opt for a few pieces when you’re going for the cool cowboy look.
A plaid shirt, jeans, and boots with a few accessories are enough. Keep the cowboy elements to less than 50%.
Low-key touches like a leather phone holster, some cowboy-themed earrings, or a Western belt work best.
Find Your Unique Style
The best part about cowboy style is that’s it’s easy to make it your own. There are no hard-and-fast rules with this fashion trend.
If the cowboy look isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other ways to stand out in the crowd.
Keep reading our blog for more of the best fashion and beauty hacks.
