How to Embrace the Cowboy Core Trend in Fashion & Design
It’s all over Tik Tok, Pinterest, and social media. Celebrities like Harry Styles, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Pharrell Williams and more have encouraged the resurgence of the trend. But what exactly is “Cowboy Core”? It is a style trend that captures the charm and rugged timeless appeal of the American West. Think of incorporating distressed denim, leather, suede, cowboy boots and hats into your wardrobe. In your home embrace natural wood, leather and iron. Add a native American blanket or hide rug, or vintage western artifacts to your present decor. You don’t need to throw the baby out with the bathwater, just layer in a few treasures. What is so appealing about this trend? It is uniquely American. It is who we are. Let’s that about how to embrace the cowboy core trend in fashion and design.
How to Embrace the Cowboy Core Trend in Fashion & Design
Don’t be afraid to combine western inspired artifacts with ethnic cultural treasures from countries around the world, to blend them into a “well-traveled” whole. We have always had some “western inspired “cowboy core” treasures in our own home. We have a few Native American baskets, artifacts and rugs.
This is one of our corner cupboards in our fixer upper filled with native American baskets from New England and the west in our fixer upper. The middle image it is filled with American and European redware in our Chualar home, and on the right our current den.
Our den is a blend of earthy, cultural objects from different cultures and ages. You might want to check out my post how to create a globally inspired den here.
Shop my Home
In our den a locally made twig table is right at home with thrifted chinoiserie chairs from the Awahnee hote, African Marenge baskets and American decoys. An inherited hangiing corner cupboard filled with a mix of artifacts from different cultures. A rustic coffee table from who knows where, an African basket, and a naturally shed cow horn complete the look. Don’t be afraid to mix items from different eras and cultures for a collected look. You can read my post on The Collected Look How to Get It here.
I have a lot of fun seasonally styling our courtyard entry table with it’s mix of European and western artifacts.
How to Embrace the Cowboy Core Trend in Fashion & Design
You may be hesitant to embrace the “wild west” fashion trend at our age. Why not incorporate a few western styles in your wardrobe for fun. I am not suggesting you grab a lasso, bandana, and don a pair spurs in true cowboy fashion. But why not turn on the country music, embrace some cowboy aesthetics, and don a cowboy hat, a jean skirt, some native American accessories, denim shirts ,or a vintage suede jacket with a little fringe that will make your style your own.
Jill Sharp Weeks is a master at combining beautiful Native American jewelry with modern looks in a big way. You can follow Jill on Instagram here.
You can check out my post on how to enjoy Native American jewelry here.
Shop my “Cowgirl Core” Looks
Would you embrace the “cowboy chic” trend in your wardrobe? Ralph Lauren has long embraced this style in his designs. He skillfully captures the essence of Western Americana echoing the lives of cowboys, ranchers, and pioneers. I love this artist in residence (collab) that he is doing with Navajo Naomi Glasses. Does anyone remember his Ralph Lauren Country collection from the 80’s. As a young mother affording the label was only a dream but I perused the American Country sections of his stores and scoured outlet and resalers for tidbits from the line. Now those designs are highly collectible on Etsy and on eBay here. I still search, compare and buy when I find something really good.
If money were no object (sigh) designer Lela Rose’s ranch collection is drool worthy.
Shop Lela Rose’s Ranch Collection
Lela Rose also has a beautiful book titled Fresh Air Affairs that might make a nice Christmas gift. I have it on my wishlist.
Double D Ranch has beautiful western inspired looks here. You can also find vintage Double D Ranch options on eBay here.
Shop Vintage & New Cowboy Core
You might enjoy this article about how beyonce, Lana del Rey, and Kim Kardashian have spurred the resurgence of cowboy core in the fashion world, or Bella Hadid on the runway and in real life here.
As always thank you for reading How to Embrace the Cowboy Core Trend in Fashion & Design. What do you think of the trend? Many of you live in areas where it is easy to champion the cowboy lifestyle. Do you already have or would you like to incorporate a few cowboy core items into your home or wardrobe? I would love to hear about it.
I just went to my Poshmark closet to tag the appropriate listings as “Cowboy Core!”
Do you remember Dave Barry’s hilarious syndicated column? I remember him doing a mocking piece on “hombre” Ralph.
Hi Elaine
I miss Dave Barry’s column! OMG I do remember that one. Thanks for brining a smile to my face!!
I do love rustic and while this is a bit more specific to the western look, it always feels relaxed and inviting in a home decorated with touches of western life. Great post. I hadn’t heard the term “cowboy core”. Thanks for keeping us up to date. 😊
Karen B.
Hi Karen
They are always coming up with new terms for old trends aren’t they?
I, too, have loved Ralph Lauren since I discovered him back in the 80’s. Like you, I was a young mother whose budget wasn’t ready for his prices. I could, though, afford a bottle of his perfume and loved it. Last week I was in the RL store in Paris after having lunch at his Paris restaurant. It’s a place I go on every annual trip to Paris. The whole place is drool worthy.
Hi Janette
Now that sounds like fun!!
Oh Cindy!
I live in a part of Co. where the beautiful Navajo inspiration is alive and thriving!! I love it because it is such a relaxed & comfortable way to dress!! Just as long as your blue jeans are clean you are good to go!! So I love your article & all the beautiful pictures of you & your jewelry!! I just love to collect the older pieces with all the history! So many talented artists!
I have just purchased Navajo pearl earrings. I saw that you did a link to some beautiful necklaces. But, for the life of me I can’t find that link. I don’t really know what to look for in purchasing these necklaces?
Your blog is so varied & enjoyable!! Always learning & always something of interest!
Nancy
Hi Nancy
I probably need to do a new post on Native American Jewelry!!
Texas native here. Love that they’ve given our way of dressing and decorating a name! My favorite decor pieces are shed deer antlers from a close friend’s ranch where we spent many happy days and baskets from New Mexico.
Hi Diana
I love that!!
Great post. Now I know why I kept that striped sweater way back in the closet. Just loved that look.
Hi Donna
Haha!!!
I’m happy to see my long time decorating style has a name! Cowboy Core! Growing up in the California deserts, it has just been natural to me. Many old TV westerns (think Lone Ranger) were filmed in the hills right outside my grandparents’ home. My current house is a Spanish Colonial Revival from the 1920s, and the Cowboy is right at home here.
Hi Kay
I love hearing that!! What goes around comes around, right?
Yes, love the look, and remember a specific tiered denim “Prairie Skirt”! I live in Colorado, and only rarely see this style in real life now. Must be a very buzzy new trend!
It does become more apparent when we take long weekend outings to Taos, Santa Fe, Aspen, and Breckenridge. I guess that style has never gone away in the more art oriented places, that people make special journeys to.
Something small we always buy, when we’re in New Mexico, are sage smudge sticks. We find them embellished with colored embroidery floss, dried flowers, and small charms. They’re beautiful collected in a wooden bowl. We also always get a fresh batch of red chile powder. They often sell it at local farmers markets. If anyone travels to New Mexico, make every effort to go to a farmers market!
I live near Boulder, where the wonderful hat company Wallaroo is. That had their annual warehouse hat sale last weekend. I go every year, so have a nice collection. I picked up a wool felt hat this year. I recommend taking a look if you have a small head. It’s the petite version!
https://wallaroohats.com/products/petite-aspen?variant=40973299089593
Dear Cindy – wonderful post! Of course – living in Arizona,I love the western touches with Native American baskets and other collectibles. I just purchased a fabulous gray felt cowboy hat at our local fall art fair. The hat artist makes Laney Wilson’s hats! Love how you style them with a long skirt, belt and fun wrap. As always, thank you for the inspiration. Anna in Arizona!
I have always loved the Ralph Lauren/ Western/New Mexican vibe – in clothing design and decor. I remember a tiered denim skirt I invested in in the 1980’s – I wore it everywhere and dang, I wish I had it now!
I love your cardigan – vintage Lauren? Love it! And of course Jill rock the look, too!
Thanks for sharing!
Fun post! Now I find that my family room is suddenly back in style. I have doggedly kept it American West in theme, using real Navajo rugs, a James Bama print, and a couple wildlife bronzes, with some modern furniture to keep it current. But I followed a link to your March 2023 post on Native American jewelry and it fired up a lost love in my heart! I’ll be busy reading the links in that post for days. Thanks for the excitement!
Love Ralph (who doesn’t)….yes, I remember those designs from the 80’s…also a young mother at the time I found RL country bedding, curtains, etc for my son’s bedroom, on sale at the time….his classics are timeless!