7+ The Trendiest Ways to Wear Western Boots This Year

Hello lovelies! I am SO excited to share this article topic – I’ve been wanting to cover it for a while! Everywhere I look lately, we’re seeing more and more people wearing western boots. French women are wearing them, women in Milan, movie stars, CEOs, the girl next door – everybody seems to be wearing these boots!

If I could encourage you to take ONE shoe risk this season, it would be to add a western pair to your closet. It will give your whole wardrobe the most incredible facelift without buying anything different! It’ll incorporate a new vibe and dimension, especially if you keep everything else the same. The juxtaposition styling is a really easy way to change up your look quickly and look very chic!

I have been wearing western boots forever – I’m from Texas! I’ve had western boots since I was in second grade. My first pair was white with a slightly heel (probably controversial for a second grader!) with a big white bow. I wore them to the ground! Since then, I’ve always had western boots as part of my wardrobe without really labeling it as “cowgirl style.” It’s just a very organic choice of footwear that I’ve seamlessly integrated into casual style, Paris Fashion Week street style looks, and New York Fashion Week!

1. Denim and Blazer

Let’s start with the most innocuous outfit I can think of – a basic, classic outfit that you and I can probably create from our closets already: jeans and a blazer! This is EXACTLY how to start your western boot journey.

Having this very simple outfit and adding a pair of western boots is a really easy, great way to get started! You can try a cropped denim that has a midi western boot sticking out, or even a full-length straight-leg jean with the western boot peeking out. It’s not fully showing the whole extent of the boot, but having that little hint at the end shows “my shoe is a little bit different!”

You can also take bigger risks by bringing in a knee-high western boot over the jeans – this would require a skinny jean or more snug straight-leg jean. But keeping that outfit constant, you can see how this automatically makes it more interesting! We’re used to seeing this silhouette with slingback heels, ballet flats, or loafers, but having that western element adds fun and a hint of boho-chic vibe!

2. Slip Dress

One easy way to style western boots is wearing them with a slinky slip dress – particularly a mini dress! What makes this work is that you have an unexpected shoe with something you’d usually see with a stiletto or a Mary Jane shoe. This is a way to add a little bit of edge!

I love completing this look with an oversized black blazer or a moto jacket – very chic but effortless!

3. Shorts

I don’t wear a ton of shorts, but one way I DO love wearing them is with my western boots because I feel like they’re very elongating on the legs if you find the right length of boot!

Whether you go for a preppy look with a vest and faux leather shorts, or smaller denim shorts for a music festival vibe, western boots are a really great change of pace from sneakers! Heading into spring, western boots are perfect because they’re not amazing winter boots (they don’t do great in snow), but in warmer weather, they’re ideal!

4. Maxi Skirts and Dresses

I think maxi dresses and maxi skirts with western boots look SO romantic and very Ralph Lauren! Having that beautiful flowiness and then putting it together with western boots just works perfectly.

Ralph Lauren once said something that really inspired me – he doesn’t stick to one aesthetic or style. He just chooses things that make his heart race! I thought, “Oh my gosh, this is how I love to get dressed too!” I love picking things that make my heart race, and sometimes it comes from mixing different aesthetics and time periods. Having this maxi dress with western boots? So romantic and comfortable – a great spring to summer look!

5. Mini Skirts and Dresses

Another fantastic way to wear western boots is with a mini skirt or mini dress! This is a great way to balance out a mini because many times when I wear something like a loafer or ballet flat with a mini, the shoe seems too small to balance the overall look.

Adding a little bit more volume at the calves and ankles helps make your body look more proportionate! I love this with an oversized blazer and a t-shirt – it’s such a casual outfit. You can go romantic with a frilly, flowy mini skirt (very boho-chic), or keep it minimalist with a pencil skirt, t-shirt, and blazer for Parisian chic vibes!

6. Denim on Denim

I have been ALL about the denim-on-denim look, and it’s a big trend for spring/summer 2025! It’s a great way to finalize your look with a statement belt, an interesting jacket, and finishing it off with western boots. It’s classic!

You can choose to go all out by wearing your boots over your jeans to really highlight the western vibe, or tuck them underneath depending on the types of jeans you’re wearing. This is just a really easy look!

7. Athleisure

This might sound insane, but I’ve actually been wearing leggings a lot lately with knee-high boots – so why not swap them out for western boots?! Western boots with a hoodie or an oversized t-shirt and a moto jacket is such a comfortable look, and it’s a great way to dress up leggings easily with that unexpected footwear!

How to Style the Western Aesthetic Without Looking Costumey

As with most aesthetics, you want to be careful not to include too many elements of the same aesthetic to avoid looking costumey. With the western vibe, the boots are a great starting element, but if you’re ready to add more, here are some easy ways:

Fringe: Very trendy for spring/summer 2025! Add fringe in bags or jackets. I personally prefer fringe in outerwear and bags rather than on clothes.

Accessories: Silver and turquoise! Silver has made a big comeback, and chunkier bold pieces can really help build your western aesthetic subtly. Leather necklaces with pendants add a nice pop of color too!

Western Belt: A western buckle belt or metallic statement buckle can really bring that western aesthetic to life, even if the rest of your outfit is very classic!

Denim Jacket: Most of us have one in our closet! It automatically gives a western vibe and is easy to style with almost anything. You can add western boots and still not feel like you’re overdoing it.

Scarf Around the Neck: Especially paisley or plaid prints – this is a great way to add that little bit of western vibe.