The latest western fashion collection from Marie Claire. Photo from Marie Claire.

But, although shades of coral stone and cowboy hats are seen on the models (and the horses), the collection of western fashion from Vogue appears to be a bit of a compromise. First off, much of the western fashion on the models isn’t necessarily cowgirl chic but, instead, horse-riding chic with some western embellishments. Many of these looks would be appropriate for spectators at a prep school polo match and not at a rodeo. Although the ostentatious nature of many western fashion pieces, especially those at Best Handbag Wholesale, is too overwhelming for high fashion, a compromise of high and western fashion isn’t always a bad thing – especially when traditional western styles get noticed.

What’s missing from this particular collection is the bling, from turquoise to large belts, associated with western fashion – and particular rodeo gear. For an updated western fashion collection, however, Marie Claire’s recent collection of western-inspired high fashion gets it right. Not only are large turquoise stones, belts, and western stone colors, particularly coral, a significant part of this collection, but many of these items would be appropriate for a rodeo and for high fashion.

Animal skins were one of the more prominent designs seen this year that harked back to western style. Python skin was in, as well as alligator and cow skins. For the high-end designer brands, the real skin made up the bag but, for designer-inspired bags, this meant the skin pattern was printed onto leatherette. While the skin in most of these cases was dyed, it was sometimes left natural. Snakeskin boots have always appeared to be a western luxury item, and this year saw the same type of style applied to handbags.

Aside from animal skin, many western embellishments found their way onto ordinary leather handbags and clutches. The most prominent was studs – most rounded bullet studs but others the size of conchos. Although a studded leather handbag was often associated with a rocker or punk chic instead of western fashion directly, punk aesthetics are never orderly, and all studded handbags seen this year had all pieces of metal laid out evenly and orderly. Adding rhinestones to handbags and clutches was also laid out similarly. Additionally, fringe was seen on many solid black handbags, lined across the edges and the bottom. Even with the smaller cross body bags, some fringe was also prevalent.