Western Fashion is Back – Officially

Ever thought the cowgirl look would be in? Perhaps it’s about time. Although western shirts made an appearance in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and many current handbags show western embellishments – not to mention the faux line dancing song “Achy Breaky Heart” – western fashion may be making an overall impression on the mainstream. Regardless of what you think of feminist blog Jezebel, they recently posted pictures of an upcoming western fashion spread from Vogue. Complete with horses and the outdoors, many of the models are clad in staid western gear that, combining some colors from western stones and standard cuts, looks like a hybrid between traditional western wear and high-fashion style.

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.