Celebrate Your New Wardrobe With This ‘Cowgirl-Chic’ Fashion Styling Guide
Ever a woman, always yourself!
Though you may always be aware of the latest trends, they don’t define who you are.
(This is a piece I recently wrote for a cute, online, western boutique in the great state of Texas!)
Y’all belong here at Pistols ‘N Petticoats. Well heck, let’s be honest, North Texas lives here! The virtual door is always open at our Texas-chic boutique, and we’re hanging out the welcome sign for everybody! In this community of Western women, it’s our love of leather and fringe, the great outdoors, grit, and independence that rounds us up and keeps us together.
Our wild, western spring collection of new tops and bottoms, hats and boots, jackets and jeans, will give you that southwestern stylish edge to be exactly who you want to be –your authentic self.
Let’s Define Your Cowgirl Fashion Sense
So, how do you spell “cowgirl-chic?” Before shopping for the essentials, start by asking yourself a few questions:
What activities define your daily style? How do you see yourself, or better yet, how would you like to see yourself?
2. Are you a more casual cowgirl in the barnyard wearing jeans and boots daily? How could you add a little flare there? Let us outfit you for your everyday chores.
3. Are you a working girl and have more occasions for wearing dresses, skirts, and jewelry? Do you have a stylish denim jacket to throw over your shoulder? Does your purse spell blingin’ C-O-W-G-I-R-L to your coworkers? Turquoise, beaded, or feathery earrings are always a great way to express that cowgirl glam!
4. What pieces do you already have in your core wardrobe that make you feel most like yourself? What should you keep in your daily rotation? What can you give away or toss? What can you add to drive home your authentic western wardrobe?
Every article of clothing in your closet should lift your spirits, make you feel beautiful, and be the best fit for your fabulous figure. Remember, you are the curator of your closet!
You may be starting to see that authentic western fashion or styling is more than just the clothes we wear. It’s beginning with a firm belief in ourselves –being just who we were created to be, then pairing that with classy, western flair and attitude.
Pistols ‘N Petticoats carries all the staples and more. Curious how the basics fit into your closet? Check out our western style guide below.
Add Essentials For Your Western Wardrobe
Boots It’s all about the boots. Not only do your boots need to be comfortable and fit perfectly, they also need to reflect your glamour-tude. I’m of the firm opinion that a girl can never have too many pairs of boots.
These days there are so many great styles, colors, embroidery, and price ranges to choose from. Do you like square-toed or round? Booties or mid-range in height? (Did you know that the heel on a cowboy boot was designed to secure your feet in the stirrups of your saddle?) From riding heels to fashion heels, you get to decide!
Cowgirl boots can be worn with so many different outfits to add that pop of fun and bold sense of the western spirit. Pair them with your prom dress, your wedding gown, a cute fringe skirt, your cut-off shorts, your high-waters, and especially your riding jeans. Don’t be afraid to get creative and wear them with the latest animal prints as well.
If you can only have one pair, choose a neutral black or brown. These neutrals will pair well with most of your wardrobe and your purses. Don’t forget: the longer the dress, the shorter the boot. The shorter the dress, skirt, or shorts the taller the boot.
And surprise, surprise, y’all! According to trend analyst, meetglimpse.com, white cowboy boots are still a thang in 2024. To be sure, cowboy boots are a great investment for your self-confidence and your wardrobe.
Hats A cowboy hat is a bold statement and testimony to your character. It should be worn with gusto and ease because you are dang sure of who you are and where you come from!
Your cowboy hat can be paired with every outfit in your closet. There’s no ‘whoa’ in that Texas-chic (or is it chick) attitude! 🤠
Straw hats are typically worn in the summer months for better ventilation in hotter temps. They let the breeze pass through. Felt hats are traditionally worn in the colder months, depending on your location. It’s basically like changing out your outerwear with the changing of the seasons.
With all the hat bars popping up around the nation, anything goes as far as shape, brim, and color, But the bling you add is all you, baby! From beaded hat bands to feathers, you add the bling to reflect your style, hobbies, western flair, and cowgirl tastes.
Like your boots, keep your hat colors neutral, so they will pair well with everything in your closet.
Denim Jacket A jean jacket is a must in every cowgirl’s fashion line-up. They can be blue denim, black denim, dropped shoulder, fringed or not, scalloped or raw edges, or covered in patches –but you just gotta getcha one. Some are even sherpa-lined and can add warmth when a cool breeze comes up at the night rodeo.
Pair them with maxi dresses, mini skirts, or cut-offs. A slightly cropped denim jacket looks quite chic with a white, ruffled, little summer dress, a turquoise necklace, and your cowgirl boots. Simply. Elegant.
And nothing spells out western wear like your favorite distressed jeans, a cute floral print peplum top, and your oversized jean jacket, for a night on the town with your best girlfriends.
Pearl Snap Blouses Can we say COLOR? This is where “pop of color” got its definition! A Texas twist on the button-up, the pearl snap blouse has been a staple in a cowgirl’s wardrobe since local Texas gal, Dale Evans wore them in the fifties.
Did you know pearl snap-down shirts originated with the single cowboy out riding the range without a needle and a thread? Those snaps just don’t fall off as easily as a button! And the pocket flaps kept his tobacco from bouncing out and falling to the ground. The double yolk fabric folds served in durability, and the snug fit kept him from getting hung up on the saddle horn. Those extra long tails? They stayed tucked in on them long cattle drives.
Nowadays, we women can get in on the game and look great doing so by adding our western styling expertise and penchant for bling. These blouses are a welcomed addition to any wardrobe and speak of impeccable Texas cowgirl-chic style and fun.
Dress pearl snap blouses up or down with jeans and skirts, wild rags, and bolo ties. Traditional gingham, plaid, checks, or paisleys, will always ‘up the ante’ with your cowgirl hat and favorite pair of boots.
Jeans Whether you’re a straight-legged blue jean girl or like to show off in loud, striped-print elephant bells, denim jeans are always in fashion in every cowgirl’s world. Just make sure they fit your unique curves so you have enough room to step up in that saddle. Ahhh… so many jeans, so little time.
Pistols ‘N Petticoats offers a Lainey Wilson-inspired stretchy bell bottom, sporting a pocketed feminine floral print with easy care instructions. These super fun bottoms can be paired with a cropped, raglan-sleeved blouse for a hot summer evening at the local county fair.
With our low-rise women’s flare jeans, white and pink wide-leg jeans, buttoned slit jeans, high-waisted flare jeans, and high-rise straight-leg jeans, the sky’s the limit. And here in the West, you can attend any event in jeans. Dress ‘em up or dress ‘em down y’all, the versatility is incredible and suits our lifestyle just fine. We truly are better in blue jeans!
Jewelry & Accessories Claire Belcher said it best in Steel Magnolias: “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.”
Way out west we have our mainstay in accessories –it’s called turquoise! From cuff bracelets to hoop earrings, necklaces to barretts, turquoise everything pairs with summer whites, winter blacks, sultry blues, and cool country.
Another accessory that can really make a cowgirl shine is her sunglasses. The bling these days on Western spectacles is surprisingly stylish and cowgirl-chic on so many levels. Jeweled and sparkly shades elevate every sunny day. So, bling it on! 😎
Let’s Sum It All Up
Boots, hats, pearl snap blouses, jeans, jewelry, and accessories are the basics of a western-chic wardrobe.
Clothing with western flair is timeless and influences much of fashion today.
You are free to saddle up and celebrate the spirit of the West with these wardrobe basics and styling techniques.
Though you may always be aware of the latest trends, they don’t define who you are.
You create your look by combining vintage pieces with new ones through your sense of style. This is where we would love to help.
Ever a woman, always yourself!
In the end, the only thing truly required is your sweet, authentic self …and maybe a really cute pair of cowgirl boots! C’mon in y’all and be part of our online community here at Pistols ‘N Petticoats. You have our permission to simply be who you were created to be.
If you have a website that needs some lifestyle content and copywriting to further your brand, I can help!
Contact me today at diane.whitlock8@gmail.com
…and check out my blog website at dianecwhitlock.com
