Haute ranch couture: perfecting cowgirl chic

 

If you are still on the hunt for your aesthetic, one style you might not have considered is cowgirl chic. Inspired by clothing typically worn by working men and women in the American West, this aesthetic balances comfort, functionality and fashion, using colours, patterns and lines typical on ranches and farms.

However, mastering cowgirl chic isn’t as easy as pulling on some cowboy boots and hitting a hoedown. Here are some of the finer points of this fashion aesthetic, which help to define the style for those interested in adopting it.

Natural Materials

Ranch life requires hard work, and hard work requires clothing that won’t easily fall apart. Though synthetic materials tend to be less expensive and more accessible to the average fashion seeker, natural materials are much more forgiving of the hard wear demanded by real-life cowgirls.

As a result, the ranch aesthetic is dominated by natural materials like cotton, denim, wool and leather. Cotton is a breathable, lightweight option for warm weather; denim is exceedingly durable; wool provides a layer of warmth and is sweat wicking; and leather is another strong, lasting material for hard-wearing elements of an outfit, like shoes and belts.

Cowgirl Palette

There are essentially two paths for ranch couture when it comes to colours and patterns. The first is one that pays homage to the very materials used within outfits; the colours tend to be natural and neutral, a bit more subdued. It is common to see darker washes of denim jeans, khaki, undyed cotton and natural brown leathers within this palette, though pops of more vibrant colour in accessories like bandanas and jewellery can also appear.

The other path is one of unadulterated flash. When real cowgirls get dressed up, they tend to go wild with colour and pattern, deviating substantially from their typical working ranch style. You might accrue a few pieces with quintessentially western patterns, like plaids, paisleys and florals, in bright hues like red, turquoise, rose pink, golden yellow and sage green — the palette of the America West.

Functional Fits

Most ranch fashion is functional, which speaks to the intense activity that real cowgirls must be capable of while wearing most of their wardrobe. When considering the fit of your cowgirl chic clothing, you should prioritise practicality, ensuring that your movement is utterly unrestricted.

Everyday outfits should be snug to the body without confining the limbs. Though belts are typical accessories for Western-wear — more on those later — pants should be able to stay up without the use of a belt, and they should fit along the legs to avoid any loose fabric as well as any constriction. Tops, as well, should not hamper arm or shoulder movement, and there should be no risk of immodesty at the decolletage.

There is less emphasis on functionality with more formal clothing, like dresses and skirts, but comfort remains key. The ranch aesthetic is not one for close-fitting or revealing fashion; you should opt for flowing silhouettes, instead.

Ranch Accessories

Success or failure in cowgirl chic clothing lies entirely in the use of accessories. Western-wear offers an abundance of accessory options, from belts with oversized buckles to large silver-and-turquoise pendants, earrings, bangles and more. However, for the functional ranch style, there are three types of accessories that matter most:

Boots. You want to buy women’s work boots that are hard-working as well as stylish. Most cowgirl boots are too flimsy to appropriately suit the rest of your wardrobe. Your boots should be made of durable materials and comfortably fit your foot for everyday (or close to it) use.

Wide-brimmed hats. The Stetson is the model cowgirl hat, but in truth, almost any wide-brimmed, felt or leather hat will suit this aesthetic. You might keep a hat collection, investing in similar ranch-appropriate styles like a bush hat or a boss-of-the-plains hat to complement different outfits.

Scarves and bandanas. Tied around your neck, peeking out of pockets and wrapped around your hair, bandanas are functional and attractive accessories for this aesthetic style. Paisley is typical for Western-wear bandanas, but you can use almost any lightweight, square scarf to the same fashionable ends.

It is natural to try on different types of fashion in pursuit of your unique aesthetic. The ranch style is one that prioritises natural materials, durability and practicality — but it is also interesting and fun for those more adventurous in their clothing taste.