Despite so many parts of the world falling apart, country music has thrived during the COVID 19 pandemic. Because of this, it’s no wonder why dressing like a cowboy has gone back in style.
Celebrities as diverse as Lil Nas X, Matthew McConaughey, and even, sometimes, Phoebe Bridgers, have adopted a significantly cowboy-oriented style of fashion.
Have you found yourself wondering how to dress country? Do you not know how to wear country clothes? Have you been scouring the internet for western fashion tips, but just don’t know where to start?
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about rocking country fashion.
Start With Jeans
At the end of the day, there’s nothing more country than wearing jeans. No, wearing jeans doesn’t make you look country — but it’s hard to find a country person out there who doesn’t wear jeans. Many western styles will even shirk traditional dress pants for classy jeans.
Starting yourself with a great pair of jeans is more helpful than any accessory — like cowboy boots and an over-the-top hat. Find yourself a great western cut, such as wrangler jeans or boot-cut jeans, and the west is half won.
A great pair of jeans is the canvas that you’ll paint your country masterpiece on. On top of them, you can wear a simple t-shirt and cowboy belt, to grow with a casual style. Or, you can wear a dressy western shirt if you’re going on a date — the point of jeans is that they’re so versatile.
Don’t limit yourself to one color. Blue jeans might be the traditional cowboy color, but a pair of black jeans work just as well. (Think about the dark villain cowboy from an old western movie.)
Grab Yourself a Belt
Perhaps the most important thing you can throw on top of your jeans to make your outfit feel distinctively western is a nice western belt. You can tuck a simple t-shirt into jeans with a western belt to class-up any western outfit without looking pretentious. You can also pair the belt with an outfit that’s already classy to fit in at a formal event.
There are many types of western belts out there. You can wear a belt that has an elaborate western design or an understated leather belt that shows off your ruggedness. You can even choose to buy a western belt buckle that you can slip over any normal belt.
Western Shirts?
Some people will say that you need to buy a western shirt as your next step to achieving a country look. However, it’s not always necessary. Many of the most iconic country dressers out there don’t actually wear western shirts all that often.
Instead, go with a simple flannel, t-shirt, or combination of the two. This played-down style is more along the lines of what country people wear day today. You don’t want to look like you’re wearing a costume, but like someone who the western style sticks naturally to.
Seal it With a Hat
Here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for — the western hat. A cowboy’s hat is probably the most famous article of cowboy-related clothing. However, how much does a traditional cowboy hat truly relate to contemporary fashion?
The fact of the matter is, a cowboy hat is a bit lavish by today’s standards. Except for baseball hats worn as streetwear, hats are really only worn in our culture to protect people’s heads from a cold. If you’re going to rock a cowboy hat, it’s best to do so when attending a formal event.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t put anything on your head to help out your western style. Cattle rancher hats are just as country as cowboy hats — and in the 21st century, they are a ton more authentic as well. These are the hats you’ll see real cattle ranchers wear — they combine aesthetics with a rugged practical charm.
YNOT cattle ranch hats are the perfect combination of form and function. Get yourself one today if you want to seem like a cowboy — but a vintage cowboy as well.
Go the Extra Mile
… but it doesn’t stop there. When you embrace the country/cowboy lifestyle, you open yourself up to a whole world of possibilities that you never had access to before. Now, you can choose from your standard styles to tone down the cowboy look, or even grab from traditional cowboy styles to enhance a normal look.
Just take a look at bolo ties. Bolo ties are the perfect way for someone who can’t be restrained by the traditional look of a tie to get nice and dressed up. Country celebrities are known for rocking them to subvert expectations while still looking nice.
If you want to head to a classy establishment, why not pair that bolo tie with some alligator shoes? They’ll help you stand out and look like a country outlaw while still respecting the formality of the event.
From here, the world is your oyster. Find yourself a great poncho for the special cold occasions when you need one replace your standard skirts with fringe, you can even wear cowboy boots underneath a suit to create a unique contrast of styles.
The best western outfits arise when you use the style to expand your horizons, rather than limit yourself to the cowboys who came before.
Learn How to Dress Country
As you can see, it’s not so hard to learn how to dress country. It’s all about laying yourself a strong foundation, then following this up with adding a few country accessories.
Country is less a form of dress and more of a mindset. At the end of the day, people who dress country, aren’t going out of their house every day in full western regalia. Most likely, they’re going out of the house dressed like everyone else — with a few country twists.
For more articles like this, check out our “fashion” section.
