The western trend is set to dominate, here's how to wear it
In news that will surprise absolutely nobody, searches for western fashion are on the rise. Thanks in a large part to Beyoncé (who is officially in her country era) and with a little help from Bella Hadid (and her new professional cowboy boyfriend), fashion is falling in love with cowboy hats, cowboy boots and everything Wild West once again. Of course, these trends have been dominating on the catwalk for some time too, and we predict that – unlike 'mob wives' or 'tomato girl summer' – this won't be a passing fad, but will be sticking around for a few seasons to come.
According to Pinterest, searches for 'cowgirl hats' have increased threefold over the past three months, while searches for 'cowboy outfits' are up 40 per cent. At fashion search engine Lyst, the team has noticed an increase in searches for 'western boots' of 23 per cent over the past six months, while searches for 'western shirts' are up 41 per cent.
Of course, cowboy boots have particularly been enjoying a renaissance over the past few years with the likes of Victoria Beckham, Helmut Lang and Celine all presenting them on the catwalk. Meanwhile – although the brand has been delivering on western boots for a few seasons – Ganni's cult embroidered style is soaring in popularity right now. According to Lyst, the boot is the top searched-for and most interacted-with product in this category with searches up a staggering 285 per cent over the past six months. Closely behind is Maison Margiela's cowboy take on its Tabi, with searches up 66 per cent month on month.
It's not just boots either. Over the past few seasons, we have seen western references across the board. Molly Goddard did embroidered western shirts, Pharrell went full cowboy at Louis Vuitton, Chloé showed fringing galore, while Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Isabel Marant and Stella McCartney have been championing the trend for some time.
Tempted but not sure how to actually make it work in your day to day? Below, we round up our favourite western fashion, and show you how to style it.
There is a reason cowboy boots are always finding their way back in fashion's favour – they are actually very versatile and easy to style. If you're nervous about trying them out, we recommend choosing a pair in black or brown and teaming them with tailoring or a floaty dress. However, they also look great with jeans, skirts and even knee-length shorts.
To avoid looking like you're in fancy dress or too festival-ready, we would not recommend trying too many western trends at once. This is particularly true of the cowboy hat, which looks great as a statement accessory to an otherwise pared-back outfit. Think denim, dark suiting or a slinky slip dress, or choose a straw style for the beach.
A great way to bring a little western touch into your wardrobe is with a cowboy-inspired shirt, of which there are plenty. Look for a little embellishment or fringing for that extra touch, and don't forget to check out the men's department as there tends to be a bigger and better selection in there.
Another easy way to tap into the western trend without leaning too hard is with a fringed jacket, which looks great oversized in leather or suede, and can be thrown over literally anything, from skinny jeans to an evening mini.
Want just a touch of the cowgirl about your look? Turn to the accessories in the form of a statement belt with a western buckle. Layer over a jacket or wear with jeans for a very low-commitment take on the trend.
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