My Guide For Western Outfits I Wish I Knew Sooner (Yeehaw!)

My Guide For Western Outfits I Wish I Knew Sooner (Yeehaw!)

Why Are Western Outfits So Trendy Right Now?

Is it because Beyoncé won a Grammy for best country album? A lot of people want to contest that. What do you think – should Beyoncé have won a Grammy for best country album? I can neither say here nor there, but what I CAN say here or there on is Western fashion for women.

Today we’re going to look at seven key elements that all make up what we’re going to come to know as Western wear for women. We’re going to specifically look at silhouettes, materials, and specific pieces that create those iconic Western outfits.

Element 1: Denim (The Foundation of Western Wear)

You see denim a lot in Western wear, and it comes from a practical standpoint historically speaking. While all the Western outfits I’m going to show you today are certainly romanticized versions of Western wear, Western wear has its roots in pilgrimage really, and working, and getting out there in the wild wild west and literally staking your claim. Like, building a fence around some land that you’ve decided, “Yeah, this is going to be mine.”

Denim was really something people wore because it’s tough. I don’t think I’m going to really be working in my outfits unless you count making content as working – then yeah, baby, I’m working!

Not only is the material of denim important, but the silhouette is something that’s really important to nail if you’re wanting to wear Western wear. In modern Western wear, I see a lot of extreme bell bottoms, and then of course we have the more tried and true bootcut pant. I’ve yet to thrift the perfect bootcut pant, but I do have pants that are slightly in between a bootcut and a flare or bell bottom – riding that fine line.

Element 2: Lace (The Feminine Touch)

Back in the day when I was still living in Wyoming in, oh gosh, I don’t know, 2012, lace was all the rage in Western wear. And I think it still holds its place even in today’s Western wear. That’s why I decided to include lace in this guide.

You can pretty much pair any element of lace with denim, add a pop of color in a hat and maybe a silk ascot, and that’s an outfit formula you can wear for a Western wear look. It’s that simple.

Element 3: Vests (The Statement Maker)

So far we’ve talked about denim and lace, which are materials, but I want to talk about a specific item of clothing that is really Western: vests.

You can wear a vest as a layering piece, or you can make the vest the whole outfit. Think about pairing a silk vest with some ornate adornments with a full maxi A-line skirt. That’s it. That’s something I think you could thrift yourself if you wanted to get into wearing Western wear. And then of course – say it with me – a hat. You have to have a hat.

Element 4: Cowgirl Boots (The Non-Negotiable)

Listen, denim is something that’s for the working human, and I feel like cowgirl boots are as well. If you get a good pair of cowgirl boots that fits you comfortably, then you can keep them forever. I mean, you can’t wear leather outside in the snow and rain and expect it to last forever, but that’s a whole other conversation.

I watched a video of this guy one time, and his job was literally to design cowgirl boots. There’s a lot of rich history behind the designs, the materials, and the patterns that they put on cowgirl boots. I don’t know all the history behind it, but if that’s something you’re interested in, go look it up. It’s a really fun watch.

My cowgirl boots are simple – a nice light brown with some ornate white stitching, and they pretty much, in my not-so-humble opinion, go with everything.

Element 5: Fringe and Leather (The Showstopper)

I see leather a lot in Western wear, and it is just so tasty I could eat it up like a chocolate cake. I don’t own a fringe jacket, but oh my goodness, aren’t they beautiful?

You know what? I’m kind of kicking myself because I was at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago and I found this really beautiful electric blue fringe Western jacket. And I didn’t get it because, honestly, I didn’t need it. So I hope whoever found that fringe ewealectric blue Western jacket just loves it with all of their heart because I’m still thinking about it. But you know what? That’s okay. That’s how thrifting is.

What I do have is a leather jacket that I wear with so many different looks, including Western looks. It doesn’t have fringe, but the color of this leather is perfect for a Western look. When you pair dark leather with suede elements or beaded leather necklaces, you get that perfect Western aesthetic.

Element 6: Patterns (The Cultural Connection)

There are so many fun patterns in Western wear! I think a lot of elements in Western wear have a use that ties back to something else historically. Patterns specifically tie back to lots of things historically – they hold a lot of symbolism, and a lot of patterns are cherished in many specific different types of cultures.

When it comes to patterns, I see a lot of stripes in Western wear. Not just stripes, but specific colorways of stripes. There are different branches of Western wear, right? We have work wear – like, I’m literally going to go work in this Western wear. Then we have Wyoming Western wear, like yeehaw Western wear. But there’s a third type I’m thinking about, and that’s Southwestern wear.

Think about Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona geographically. I see a lot more terracotta colors in that style, a lot more patterns. Think of that red desert color, suns, cactus – patterns bring us to a place of almost like heritage, and they remind us of different places geographically and different places in life.

Element 7: Western Skirts (Bringing It All Together)

I see a lot of skirts in Western wear, and honestly, you can create Western outfits that tie every single element together into one look. Think denim skirts (or dresses styled as skirts – don’t tell), cream cardigans that are an ode to lace, patterned purse straps, leather necklaces, and of course, a Western hat.

Because no women’s Western outfit would be complete without a Western hat, would it? Honestly, I think this whole guide was another excuse for me to show you my hat collection because I have a lot of hats.

Incorporating Western Outfits Into Your Style

Today we talked about denim, lace, leather, boots, skirts, hats, and vests. It makes me so excited to share these outfits with you when it’s something that I’ve had in my life for years and years. It feels like an extra special show and tell.

What do you think? Would you wear Western wear? I think it’s a super fun aspect of fashion, and I’m really excited that Western outfits for women are trending because it’s another thing I can show you that is something I’ve been cultivating for years. Honestly, for years.

This is not just fashion for me – this is something I have lived personally and closely. And you know what? You probably already have more Western pieces in your closet than you realize. A denim skirt, a leather jacket, some boots, a hat – boom, you’ve got the makings of a Western outfit.

So go raid your closet, channel your inner cowgirl, and see what Western outfits for women you can create. Yeehaw, baby!