Western wear: The best cowboy fashion finds
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is bringing cowboycore to the forefront. But was the Western fashion trend ever really missing from our wardrobes?
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Every summer, the cowboys seem to come out to play. Last year, Barbie and Ken strutted around in fuchsia cowboy hats in Greta Gerwig’s cinema phenomenon. This year, Queen Bey has given the trend her seal of approval with a new country album, Cowboy Carter, and countless corresponding rodeo-ready outfits. Once limited to country music aficionados, Halloween costumes, and Ralph Lauren catalogues, cowboy fashion has leapt right into the mainstream for SS24.
While Beyoncé’s album spurred the rise of all things Western, the trend has always been around. “It’s not that it’s been rising in popularity of late, it’s one of those aesthetics that has long been around,” says Fiona Harkin, director of foresight at strategic foresight consultancy The Future Laboratory. “Look at Ralph Lauren’s long standing inspiration taken from the American West, or see Tom Ford’s (a Texan) early creations for Gucci.”
This season, however, the runways overflowed with modern takes on cowboy fashion. Pharell Williams kicked off Paris men’s fashion week in January with a line-up of pieces for Louis Vuitton that borrowed heavily from the American West design vocabulary. Models walked across a desert-inspired runway decked out in shearling, denim on denim, Western shirts, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats.
Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2024
Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2024
The trend’s origins might be rooted in blue collar workwear and early country music singers but the trend as it’s seen today is a patchwork of influences from across the decades. While the classic boot and hat silhouette persists, social media trends have adapted cowboy fashion into a movement that transcends fads. As Harkin puts it, “It’s got horsepower (pardon the pun).”
“It has formed its own genre that stands apart from fashion trends as we know them – to the point that it has become ripe for reinterpretation and appropriation,” Harkin elaborates. “It can go from macho rodeo culture to Lil Nas X via Brokeback Mountain and Bella Hadid’s current ‘cowboy girlfriend’ era.”
Beyond cosplay
As with numerous modern trends, cowboycore runs the risk of morphing into cosplay. In many of its iterations, however, the trend is subverting the cliché by focusing on the cultural aspect at its core. Emily Rhodes, creative foresight analyst at The Future Laboratory, highlights this shifting interpretation of cowboy culture with cowboy Ken’s famed quote from Barbie: ‘To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn’t about horses I lost interest’. “Ken was in it for the horses after all, not the cosplay machismo,” she says. She points out this endearing authenticity also sits at the heart of Beyoncé’s album, which draws on the singer’s heritage and calls on the talents of established country singers rather than leaning on aesthetics alone, ushering the trend into 2024 with an enduring cultural significance.
When it comes to working cowboy fashion into your own wardrobe, where Ganni and Paris Texas’ cowboy boots have been favoured by the style set for years, other Western elements, such as fringing, suede, studded jackets, and bolo ties, are growing in popularity, but often incorporated subtly. Chrysoline de Gastines, co-founder of eco-conscious clothing brand Balzac Paris believes the trend’s lasting power comes from its adaptability, “Considering that at Balzac Paris we have been working with fringe for several seasons, I believe it can endure in our wardrobes in subtle ways in the long term - like perhaps on a jacket or bag.”
Alexis Maugey, co-founder of Parisian shoe brand Bobbies believes modern design touches are key to making the Western fashion trend appealing. “We have added our own personal touch to all the cowboy styles in our collection while paying homage to the trend, including a bevelled heel, and topstitching,” he says.
Whether you’re channelling your inner Bella Hadid and dressing head to toe in cowboy fashion, mixing it up with the nautical-themed coastal cowgirl trend, or peppering a fringed skirt or suede studded vest into your look, we’ve done the hard work and rounded up the best cowboy fashion finds. Giddyup!
The best Western fashion for women
Loewe + Paula's Ibiza denim bustier top
The modern cut and dual denim washes make this Loewe bustier, made in collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza, the ideal piece for a denim-on-denim that doesn’t go full cowgirl. Wear with teeny denim shorts and kitten heels for your European summer holiday.
With Nothing Underneath The Classic denim shirt
Perfect for embracing the Canadian Tuxedo, With Nothing Underneath’s classic denim shirt is crafted for a relaxed fit. Whether you wear it on its own or layered over a tank top, this’ll be your summer uniform for seasons to come.
Maison Margiela distressed straight-leg jeans
Maison Margiela’s straight-leg jeans offer the illusion of wearing chaps without committing to the real deal. Featuring cuts at the thighs, the distressed pair works well with a denim jacket.
Y/Project cowboy straight-leg jeans
Young, fun and Western-themed, Y/Project’s straight-leg jeans feature ruffle details and Western motifs at the thigh. Crafted in organic cotton denim, wear with a sleek ribbed tank top and sunglasses for an easy-breezy look.
Stella McCartney denim mini dress
Borrow from the cowboys and opt for Stella McCartney’s denim midi dress with exaggerated sleeves and a deep cut lace-up neckline. Grab those knee-high cowboy boots and you’re ready for the rodeo.
Hayley Menzies acid wash denim jacket
Elevate your basics with Hayley Menzies’ acid wash denim jacket. The lived-in look is accentuated with silver and brass studs while the spread collar adds to the Western-theme. Pair with the matching jeans for a statement look.
Balzac Paris Marceau chestnut jacket
You can’t talk about cowgirl fashion without bringing up the iconic fringed brown jacket. This grainy brown wool iteration hits all the right notes.
Paris Texas Texas Star leather cowboy boots
It-girl favourite Paris Texas renders its cowboy boots in look-at-me silver. Embroidered and debossed with stars in a nod to the Lone Star State, these stacked Cuban heeled boots make for comfortable party shoes.
Bobbies Gemma boots
Modelled after quintessential cowboy boots. Bobbies’ Gemma boots are handcrafted in Portugal from buttery suede. The mid-calf boots feature a wood-effect leather-covered heel and are great for adding a touch of Western fashion to any outfit.
Lack of Colour raffia cowboy hat
Unsure where you’d wear a traditional cowboy hat? Trade it in for this raffia version perfect for summer beach holidays.
Vivienne Westwood bolo tie
Part bolo tie, part necklace, this Vivienne Westwood piece features the house’s logo in pavé crystal detailing set on a platinum-plated tie embellished with crystal tips. Wear with deep V-necks or ruffled collars to lean into the aesthetic.
The nest Western fashion for men
Celine Homme denim Western shirt
Celine Homme’s lightly faded shirt is crafted in Japan from hard-wearing denim and features an angular yoke. Wear with black jeans and cowboy boots for a chic off-duty Western look.
Versace bootcut jeans
Stonewashed and bleached, Versace’s bootcut jeans are cut for a relaxed elongated fit. Wear with a checked shirt and beanie for autumn or a graphic white tee for the ultimate summer outfit.
Y/Project evergreen cowboy jeans
Y/Project nails the chap illusion cowboy jeans again. This charcoal grey pair features detachable embroidered panels, making them a great multitasking addition to your wardrobe.
Louis Vuitton Damier denim classic jacket
If Pharrell Williams deems it cool, you know it’s cool. This denim jacket, fresh off the Louis Vuitton SS24 runway, is crafted in 3D Damier jacquard featuring the house’s iconic ‘Marque L. Vuitton déposée’ motif. Pair with the matching trousers if you’re brave enough.
Mr P. shearling chore jacket
Durable and versatile, this hardworking piece from Mr P. is cut from leather and lined with soft shearling. Wear it over shirts and T-shirts alike for seasons to come – a true investment piece.
Toga Virilis black embroidered boots
Toga Virilis’ signature fusion of Western style with traditional Japanese design is evident in these square-toe leather cowboy boots featuring embroidered detailing, silver-toned hardware and a pin-buckle harness.
Off-White cowboy ankle boots
Crafted from 100 per cent suede with a leather lining, Off-White’s cowboy boots feature a slanted heel for a slight lift. Wear with bootcut jeans and a loose-fit shirt for a relaxed look.
Lack of Colour The Ridge cowboy hat
Lean into machismo with Lack of Colour’s black wool cowboy hat embellished with a detachable braided leather strap. Straw in your mouth optional.
Prada Saffiano triangle necklace
Add undeniable cool factor to your look with Prada’s bolo tie made with the brand’s signature Saffiano calf leather. The thin adjustable straps feature a triangular metal logo plaque and will look great with a tailored white shirt and black trousers.
Read more: Isn’t it time we did away with age-appropriate dressing?
