This fall, we’re dreaming of Western frontiers. Arguably one of the season’s biggest trends, thanks to the likes of Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Alexander Wang, the 2017 cowgirl is here.
Forget what you think you know about this style though, today's cowgirl is a thoroughly modern woman. She pairs her roughed-up boots, Western-inspired button-downs, and rose-embroidered everything with sporty puffer jackets, chic trench coats, and minimalist accessories. Even the most “Yee-haw!”-inspiring looks still offer a fresh approach—and a few quirky accessories here and there.
Below, learn how to pull off the trend, whether you’re going for subtlety or heading to the rodeo. Giddy on up to the Wild Wild West!
Photographer: Tory Rust
Stylist: Calvy Click
Models: Madelane De Jesus at Wilhelmina and Lau Van Londerzele at APM
Hair: Kelsey Morgan at Art Department
Makeup: Campbell Ritchie using Glossier at Art Department
Casting: Eric Cano
Bring your cowboy boots and plaid button-down to the next level with a Wild Wild West-inspired skirt. A little too wild for your taste? Keep things low-key by pairing the combo with a denim jumper dress.
Madelane is wearing a Raquel Allegra blazer, a L’Agence cami, Faith Connexion skirt, Justin boots, and Tai earrings. Lau is wearing a L’Agence jacket and shirt, Good American dress, Max Mara sunglasses, Justin boots, and Tai earrings.
Victorian ruffles and lace look instantly tougher when worn with a Western jacket and cowboy-style hat.
Lau is wearing a L’Agence jacket, an ASOS top, Faith Connexion pants, a G.Viteri hat, Justin boots, and an APM Monaco ring.
Leave it up to the boots: Roughen up an ultra-feminine, whimsical look with a pair of worn-in cowboy boots.
Lau is wearing a Faith Connexion dress, a DROMe jacket, Ariat boots, a Devi Kroell bag, and Tai earrings.
Play up wide-leg Western denim with a rodeo-ready jacket, or tone it down with a neutral trench coat.
Lau is wearing a Vivienne Westwood Jacket, a See by Chloe top, Unpublished Denim jeans, UGG boots, a Devi Kroell bag, and Tai earrings. Madalane is wearing a Vivienne Westwood coat, a Laurence and Chico shirt, Calvin Klein jeans, Justin boots, a Karen Walker bag, a Sterling Forever choker, a BaubleBar bracelet, and Tai earrings.
Stop and smell the roses! Opt for basic silhouettes covered in Western-inspired embroidery for a look that's modern yet still rodeo-ready.
Madalane is wearing a Sandro jacket, a GREY Jason Wu sweater, a Raquel Alegra dress Ariat boots, and Tai earrings.
A denim midi skirt paired with knee-high leather boots is about as Western as it gets, but paired with a simple sweater? The look is instantly more suitable for every day.
Madalane is wearing a Sandro sweater, a Calvin Klein Skirt, Ariat boots and belt, Tai earrings, and a GREY Jason Wu jacket (draped on shopping cart).
Details make the difference: ‘90s-inspired zippers make a cowgirl look feel less country, while shearling detailing on a moto jacket brings Western inspiration to a more modern silhouette.
Madalane is wearing a Vivienne Westwood jacket, an ASOS dress, a Karen Walker bag, Justin boots, an Ariat belt, and Tai earrings. Lau is wearing a GREY Jason Wu jacket, a Stella McCartney dress, a Devi Kroell bag, Ariat boots, and Tai earrings.
Give a sporty puffer coat a Western twist by belting and pairing with a wide-brimmed hat.
Madalane is wearing a Tommy Hilfiger coat, an & Other Stories dress, Justin boots, an Ariat belt, and Tai earrings.
Cowgirl, but make it cozy. Bring on the ponchos.
Madalane is wearing a See by Chloe poncho, a DROMe turtleneck, a Rag & Bone sweater, an & Other Stories dress, a Prymal hat, Justin boots, Krewe sunglasses, Tai earrings, and stylist’s own belt.
Last but not least, never underestimate the power of a good, fringed-covered jacket.
Lau is wearing a Faith Connexion jacket, a Tommy Hilfiger x Gigi Hadid jacket (under) and jeans, Max Mara sunglasses, Ariat boots, and Tai earrings.
