7+ The Trendiest Ways to Wear Western Boots This Year

Western boots look easy to style until you put them on and everything feels slightly wrong. The shaft hits your leg at an odd spot, the toe shape changes the vibe, and the rest of your outfit suddenly looks too basic or too costume-like. You might also feel stuck in one formula, like jeans and a tee, even though you know the boots can do more.

Wearing western boots well doesn’t mean you need a full western outfit. You don’t need fringe, a cowboy hat, or a themed look. You just need smart proportions and one or two supporting details that make the boots feel intentional.

In this article, you’ll get the trendiest ways to wear western boots right now, with clear outfit ideas you can actually recreate. You’ll learn how to pair them with dresses, skirts, tailored pieces, and different jean cuts without fighting your silhouette. You’ll also get quick tips on sock height, hem length, and outerwear choices so your boots look styled, not accidental.

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:

Trendy Ways to Wear Western Boots Without Looking Like a Theme

Western boots look modern when you use them to sharpen an outfit, not when you match them with every Western detail you own.

Outfit formulas that always work:

• Boots + midi skirt + simple top: You get movement and contrast, and the boots feel intentional.

• Boots + straight jeans + great jacket: Let the boot shaft peek out, then keep everything else clean.

• Boots + mini dress + oversized layer: The loose top layer makes the look feel city, not costume.

Common mistakes you should avoid:

• You add fringe, a hat, heavy turquoise, and a big belt at once. Pick one Western reference only.

• You choose a boot with a super contrast stitch and pair it with loud prints. Your eye won’t know where to land.

• You wear boots that hit the widest part of your calf with a tight skirt. You can look cut off. Try a longer hem or a looser shaft.

If you want the most current vibe for 2026, style cowboy boots with modern silhouettes like long skirts, wide-leg trousers, and minimal layers.