Country chic and Western fashion may go through ins and outs when it comes to space on the pages of glossy magazines, but the influence never completely disappears. At times, Western style is in the fashion headlines–remember the must-have, slightly over-the-top high-heeled cowboy boots Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson sported back in 2005? At other times, it takes a back seat to the next big thing, whatever that may be. But with a little fine tuning, this functional and flattering All-American look is always ready for prime time, no matter what the year or the season.
However, reaching into Mom’s closet for her old 1981 “Urban Cowboy” duds won’t cut it today.. (At least for most of us, it won’t. If you’re a lady with a special knack for vintage dressing–and you know who you are–go on ahead, with my blessing.) Today’s popular country chic fashion, like today’s popular country music, features a strong dash of rock-and-roll and biker influence in the mix. This year’s country girl is comfortable in the city, too–and while she might look more suited for the stage than home on the range at the moment, she’s still bound to turn heads and steal some cowboy (and rocker) hearts.
Here’s a quick overview of some current trends in country style, with a nod to the celebrities who’ve made the fashions famous:
Gretchen Wilson is the epitome of Redneck Woman Chic, but she’s not the only one to carry it off by far, and that’s the beauty of it. The elements of her eye-catching, unapologetically sexy “real girl” style–tank tops, camisoles, distressed jeans, t-shirts, leather jackets and boots–are as familiar as the crowd at your local big-box Supercenter. What makes her stand out among the ultra-casual bunch? In Gretchen’s case–and in yours, if you’d like to take this look from “everyday” to “exceptional”–the key is attention to detail. Keep those tanks and camisoles very well-fitted and slightly cropped, and avoid girly colors and frills like the plague. (Gretchen may be seen in feminine fabrics on occasion–satins and silks are pretty accents to her stage wardrobe–but it’s rare that she’s photographed in anything other than black, white, earth tones, gray or the very occasional red or blue.) And if those jeans aren’t hugging your curves, try another pair–fast!
Like most current country looks, accessories are where the pure Western element rides in. Look for beautiful hand-tooled leather belts with antique-looking silver buckles (brown and black only, and no rhinestones, please) big thin silver hoop earrings, and a high-quality pair of well-broken in boots with a high–but not too high–heel. Add well-defined makeup and an unfussy, natural-looking hairstyle and you’re good to go.
Taylor Swift has made the Contemporary Country Sweetheart look inescapable. The 18-year-old superstar is a big influence among the teen and tween crowd, and while her style looks best on the very young, even grown-ups can away take a few fashion cues. Taylor’s sundress-and-cowgirl boots stage gear is almost a uniform–and it caught on so quickly that Country Weekly magazine did a fashion feature on her, illustrated with a photo of young Taylor surrounded by a gaggle of teen fans in similar outfits.
While it looks simple at first glance, adopting Taylor’s style involves a lot of thought. Since the boots make up the main “Western” element of the look, they’ve got to be fierce! This might mean investing in more than one good pair, and that well-worn look won’t do at all, although “broken in” is a must for comfort’s sake. Stock up on polish, boot trees and leather conditioners to keep those boots–which will be on display from top to toe when worn with a dress–looking sensational.
Taylor’s sundresses have come in all varieties from very casual to almost formal, and from sweet solid colors to eye popping prints. The common denominator is that her beautiful shoulders and toned arms are nearly always on display, and if those are your best features, you’ll look just as lovely. One final beauty point to keep in mind–since the dress-and-boots combo is so simple, Taylor and her stylists feel free to go wild with her big, curly hair and dazzling makeup. If you’d like to make a star entrance, don’t be afraid to follow suit.
Perennial favorite Terri Clark exemplifies the Modern Cowgirl style–unabashedly Western in her cowboy hats, rodeo buckles, jeans and boots, she remains hip and current while rocking all the traditional country elements, on stage and off. If you’re making a major commitment to Western wear like Terri’s, quality counts, and authenticity is an absolute must. Invest in the real deal–well-fitting Wranglers and Levis, excellent boots and a good cobbler to take care of them, a assortment of fine, well-made hats, and signature cowgirl jackets in suede, leather and shearling for winter.
What updates the look? Keep your makeup as current as can be (an outdoorsy faux tan is a nice touch) and let the newest Western accessories and jewelry underscore your style. Terri tops her jeans with whatever’s presently in vogue–tank tops, camisoles and fitted t-shirts–along with her classic snap-front Western shirts. This is a fairly dramatic look for a non-performing, non-riding country girl, but if you’ve got the height, the presence and the attitude, flaunt it!
Finally, new artist Rissi Palmer sports a city-friendly, Eclectic Western look that’ll work on or off stage for just about everyone. The cowgirl elements in her wardrobe are handled with a light touch, and she alternates Victorian-inspired and vintage white lace tops, heavily distressed jeans, and biker boots with everything from the occasional graphic rocker t-shirt to the little black dress she wore for her Opry debut. If you’d like to follow Rissi’s lead, a little fashion fearlessness is a must–keep an eye out for one-of-a-kind retro pieces, and browse the aisles of your favorite Western store for sleeker, unusual accessories and jewelry. This highly individual look will end up being as unique as you are–and in the end, a personalized fashion statement that is truly country, decidedly chic, and indisputably you is what it’s all about. Happy shopping!
