Western fashion to help you bring out your inner cowboy (2024)

Last year, superstar and pop-culture queen Beyoncé took us on a trip through her sparkly, chrome-colored fantasy world thanks to her history-making Renaissance World Tour. With her newest album “Cowboy Carter” officially available, Beyoncé is taking us somewhere much closer to home: the American Wild West. Drawing on her Texas roots, Queen Bey’s new foray into the world of country music has already inspired nuanced conversations about the genre's origins and reignited social media’s appetite for Western fashion.

But beyond the Beyoncé of it all, the cowboy is perhaps the most enduring of all American style icons and an endless source of inspiration. To help you get a jump on your Western wardrobe, we’ve selected five key components of the cowboy look and selected a few of our favorite picks from each product category. Whether you’re a cowboy or cowgirl headed to work at the ranch, need a cute western-inspired vibe for brunch in the city, or just really love Yellowstone, we’ve got you covered.

Talking western fashion with costume designer Anne Dixon

For extra perspective on the resurgence of Western fashion, we spoke with acclaimed costume designer Anne Dixon about her work costuming Viggo Mortensen’s new Western, The Dead Don’t Hurt. The film stars Mortensen (who wrote, directed, and produced the movie, as well as composed the score) and Vicky Krieps as a pair of immigrants grappling with the complexities of life and love on the American frontier during the 1860s. The costumes are simple but striking, with humble fabrics invigorated by a rich, earthy color palette and carefully sculpted silhouettes.

Dixon’s work on the film took her back and forth across the Atlantic, from Spain to Canada to Mexico, and involved both heavy historical research and a bit of creative license as she began to develop the look for each character. Extensive work was done by six remote teams to create pieces for the film that were both directly inspired by historic looks and some that were developed especially for the shoot. “You know, we’re not doing a documentary. For instance, Olsen, the character Viggo plays, is a carpenter. I wondered, ‘What is the Carhartt-type carpenter jacket worn in the 1860s?’ And I thought, let’s just invent one! So we took some of the different cuts and silhouettes of the time and made a piece that worked really well. Doing some of those things was a lot of fun.”

The notion of simplicity is something that Dixon feels is an evergreen human concern and something that has kept our collective fascination with the Western aesthetic alive for so many years. In a stressful time when we are constantly bombarded with anxiety-inducing news, there’s comfort in the classic and natural. “I think that’s why the Western genre is having this resurgence, and people are loving it now,” says Dixon. “With the madness of the world that’s out there now, with intolerance and everything, you have the simplicity of nature and humankind melted together in the Western genre. A man or woman with a horse in nature—you can’t get any truer than that. I think it grounds you, and there’s an excitement and sense of adventure as well. I think we all want a bit of that right now, and that’s why people are falling in love with it again.”

Cowboy Boots

The right pair of cowboy boots are the foundation of every good Western-inspired outfit, and nowadays you can find them in just about every color and material imaginable. However, well-crafted boots made of high-quality materials will always earn you the most style points. Heritage brands like Lucchese, founded in 1883, are a no-brainer when it comes to classic boots, but newer brands like Tecovas (a brand we’ve tested and loved) and Idyllwind offer more fashion-driven styles at more accessible price points.

The Earl by Tecovas

Idyllwind Women's Rosey Black Western Boots - Snip Toe

Lucchese Priscilla Exostic

Lucchese Elgin

Betsey Johnson Utah Cowboy Boot

Cowboy hats

Is there anything more essential to the cowboy look than the right cowboy hat? Designed to insulate the wearer’s head and protect the face from the sun, thanks to the ubiquitous high crown and wide brim, the cowboy hat has decidedly practical origins. Nowadays, the piece is just as at home on the runway as it is on the open range. Go classic by investing in a legendary brand like Stetson, or take your pick from any number of unique styles from more trend-conscious brands.

Dixon highlights the cowboy hat as a key piece of the Western look, and one that you can really make your own. “There are so many absolutely wonderful hats out there at the moment,” she says. “I think you can also easily make it unique. Choose the shape you like and add a little oomph, such as feathers or something in the hat band. Then poke two holes in it and attach a stampede cord. Throw your jeans on, and hey, you’ve got a really good look!”

Stetson Oak Ridge Western Hat

Sparkle Cowboy Rancher

Lack of Color Western Wide Palma

Wyeth Cardi Jewel-Trim Cowboy Hat

Soft Turn Felt Cowboy Hat

Kemo Sabe Grit Rabbit Leadville

Bold belt buckles

Belts in the Wild West held a dual purpose. Their primary function was practical—to secure a cowboy’s pants while on long rides and during heavy labor—but over time, their decorative aspect became a way to express one’s pride and personality. Whether you have a taste for big and bold designs or prefer a more subtle amount of hardware, there are plenty of options out there.

B-Low the Belt Bri Bri Waist Belt

Western Bull Texas Longhorn Steer Head Belt Buckle

Ariat Western Lady Bull Texas Longhorn Steer Head Belt Buckle

Wild Fable Double Perf Western Belt

Polo Ralph Lauren Western Vachetta Leather Belt

Madewell Leather Western Belt

Western shirts

Western shirts are a key piece of the cowgirl aesthetic. Simple styles may be more minimal in design and done in hard-performing fabrics like denim and flannel, while more ornate styles can feature contrast piping, rich embroidery, fringe, and rhinestones. It’s a versatile piece that lends itself to most closets, regardless of gender or lifestyle. You can go full-on John Wayne by embracing the double-denim look, or make the look fully your own by experimenting with an eclectic mix of materials and styling options.

Wrangler Vintage-inspired Western Snap Workshirt

Slvrlake + Net Sustain Western Frayed Organic Denim Shirt

Rockmount Ranch Wear Vintage Fringe Black Embroidered Western Shirt

Levi's Teodora Western Shirt

Bootcut jeans

Finally, every good cowboy needs a good pair of jeans. Flared bootcut jeans are the favored style for most buckaroos, both for their flattering cut and for allowing one to wear bulkier footwear. If you find yourself hesitant about jumping all in to the Western aesthetic, snagging yourself a nice pair of bootcut denim is a low-stakes way to dip your toe into the trend.

Levi's 726 High Rise Flare Women's Jeans

Wrangler Rigid Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jean

The Desperado Bootcut Jeans by Mother

Levi's Western Fit Men's Jeans

Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda High-Waisted Bootcut Jeans

Denizen from Levi's Women's Mid-Rise Bootcut Jeans

Chaps

If you really want to go all-in with your Western look, why not spring for a pair of chaps? Designed to protect the wearer’s legs from the elements while working in the wilderness, nowadays you can find both true blue chaps as well as more fashionable trousers and denim inspired by the classic item.

Chaps are an item that Dixon grew a particular affinity for during the production of The Dead Don’t Hurt. “In Durango, in cattle country, they have these short chaps all in leather that go up to the knees. I loved them so much, I even had an artisan in town make me a pair. It just makes so much sense. Now, I feel so chic whenever I go walking or hiking.”

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.