Giddyap, grown-up girls! From left to right, Free People fringe jacket, Ba&Sh denim flared skirt and Isabel Marant suede cowboy booties.
By Janet Kelly
REMEMBER watching those TV series about the Wild West— “The Roy Rogers Show,” “Gunsmoke,”The Lone Ranger,” “Annie Oakley?”
Thanks to Hollywood’s help, western-inspired dress as in pointy-toe boots with stacked, angled heels, fringe-y jackets and silver-buckle belts have insinuated themselves into our collective closet. Further reinforcement came from the likes of Texans President George W. Bush and Governor Ann Richards, country western singers and designer Ralph Lauren who is rarely seen without his cowboy boots.
And just recently, the popular series “Yellowstone” (now on CBS) with Kevin Costner and spinoff, “1923” starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford (a second season has been confirmed but delayed because of the ongoing actors’ strike), have also fed our appetites for western wear.
Handcrafted in stain-resistant saddle-brown suede, Freda Salvador’s city-dweller cowboy boot gives a nod to classic western style. Pull it on or off easily for swaggering around town. Also available in black suede and white leather, it sells for $495.
How do you spell cozy? Faherty’s Bozeman plaid flannel shirt ($168, Tuckernuck) is exactly what we want to pull out of the closet on cold mornings and keep on throughout the day. Wear with jeans and boots for walking the dog, running errands or meeting friends for coffee. Plus the muted colors make it a less traditional, more interesting choice.
Made in Spain from calfskin leather, Ba&Sh’s braided Bergamo belt with its aged brass buckle and rugged look appeals to our inner Annie Oakley. Also available in a chocolate brown, it comes in two lengths—33.5 or 35.4 inches—and sells for $215.
Go rhinestone cowgirl and match these wide-leg Hatcha jeans from Ba&Sh with the Bergamo belt of the same label (above). Complete the picture with the label’s quarter-zip alpaca sweater in burgundy—or pale gray—and a pair of chunky loafers.
Avec Les Filles updates the classic jean jacket with a 28-inch denim shacket in an inky acid wash and pintucks at the shoulders and cuffs. It sells for $139 at Nordstrom.
I have been saying “just no” to the ubiquitous maxi denim skirt, which rather than flattering most figures, weighs them down. Opt instead formid like Dôen’s cotton poplin Sabina skirt with broderie-anglaise detailing. It sells for $228 at Net a Porter.
This sleeveless, denim jacket ($340) is lined with warm sheepskin and topped with a Peter Pan off-white sheepskin collar— for those cold days herding cattle into the corral. Seriously cool vibes wherever you happen to wear it.
With its Cuban heel, pointed toe and pull tabs, Isabel Marant’s faded black suede booties rock cowgirl cool. Considering the $750 price tag, you will probably want to keep them safely indoors or on the sidewalk, instead of, say participating in any rodeos.
Another flattering denim skirt—with a just-below-the-knee length that won’t hobble you as go about your day—and will show off your boots. It sells for $245. Here’s another longer style with a contrasting lighter denim.
Put a shine on your western duds with Cos’s oversize, foldover clutch ($190) from its fall 2023 collection. The embroidery is an unexpected, nice touch. A magnet closure hides the zipper and an interior pocket keeps your keys in place, so you can easily find them in the black hole of your bag.
For wannabe cowgirls, any worthwhile western jacket must have fringe. Free People’s Fringe Out Denim Jacket meets that requirement and then some with its abundant amount. A generous cut, a 30-inch butt-covering length, side slits and a rounded hem ensure a comfortable piece of outerwear.
Looking authentic isn’t cheap. Take these shearling-lined, distressed-suede boots with metal cap toe. They sell for $790 at Moda Operandi. Be sure you like them, though, because they’re marked “final sale” and not returnable.
And more we like this week:
So many choices—and price points—for leather and faux leather pants this season. Massimo Dutti’s chino style trousers in sheepskin strike our fancy with their slim fit, ankle-length hem, useful side pockets and waistband with belt loops. Wear with an oversize white shirt and flats. The pants sell for $449.
Jeans don’t have to cost $200-plus. Case in point: These flattering, high-ish rise, wide-leg jeans with patch-pocket detailing at the hip are $79.95 at the Gap. (Plus, if you’ve been to a Gap store in recent years, you know you can almost always score some kind of discount off the original price).
A neck-coddling, stand-up collar, long sleeves with tapered cuffs to block the cold and flap pockets to warm hands or store necessities, this Paros faux fur jacket blends chic with practical. It sells for $495.
How I ever lived without a down vest, I don’t know, but Uniqlo has a sporty new one that comes in the blue above as well as in off-white, beige and black. An improvement in warmth comes from the high fill power of the down, while “nanodesign technology” gives the fabric is puffy feel and shine. Even though the fabric is coated with a water-repellent agent, the finish is not permanent, unfortunately. The Powder-Soft Down Vest sells for $99.90.
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