LOOKING for a new direction for your winter wardrobe? Well, saddle up and point your sartorial compass west, because the Couture Cowgirl is riding high this season.
She first appeared on the Prada AW17 catwalk, where sturdy Western jackets and saloon girl beaded dresses were paired with satin Mary Janes and a mass of frothy marabou feathers (the look was more eveningwear than equestrian, it must be said).
Then Dior decamped to the Californian desert in May to unveil its ranchero-style resort collection, complete with fringed blanket skirts, studded leather accessories and Stephen Jones-designed cowboy hats for every model.
Now, we're not suggesting you swap your bobble hat for a Stetson this season, but now the trend has trickled down to the high street, there are lots of cool ways to incorporate ranch-hand vibes into your everyday look – and thankfully they don't involve leather chaps. Here's how.
1. Check shirts
An absolute cowgirl essential, this season the trusty check shirt goes big. Think billowing sleeves, a longline style worn over jeans, or a men's flannel shirt (try New Look and Uniqlo), which has the perfect boxy proportions.
Miss Selfridge Red Checked Tuck Sleeve Wrap Blouse, £28; Black Seemed Denim Skirt, currently reduced to £19.60 from £28
New Look Men's Red Check Shirt with Borg Collar, £24.99
Apricot Oversized Check Smock Dress, £29 (boots and necklace, stylist's own)
2. Western jackets and coatigans
Take a leaf out of the Prada playbook with a many-pocketed Western jacket, adding extra warmth by layering over a woollen cardigan, or an outerwear hybrid 'coatigan'.
Sosandar Black Leather Western Jacket, £249
M&Co Check Oversized Cardigan, currently reduced to £30 from £45
3. Denim
The darker the better is the remit when it comes to Western-style denim. An indigo denim dress paired with black tights and boots is an easy but chic winter combo, while black frayed and studded denim spells cowgirl-gone-wild. Yee-ha!
V by Very Petite Frill Detail Denim Dress, £35
New Look Black Stud Embroidered High Waist Denim Skirt, £24.99
4. Western boots
Want to know how to instantly take any outfit and boost its Cool Factor tenfold? Western boots are the answer. The sister of cowboy boot comes with a Cuban heel and (often) a bunch of buckles but stops at the ankle, making it the perfect partner for skinny jeans, A-line skirts or chiffon dresses.
Office Amos High Cut Western Chelsea Boots, £105
Nine by Savannah Miller Dark Red Suede Samara Ankle Boots, currently reduced to £45 from £65, Debenhams
5. Saddle bags
Naturally, a saddle bag is the only option for completing your cowgirl look. Brown suede or black leather are practical and will last for many a season to come, but red is the edgiest of all.
JD Williams Charlotte Red Studded Saddle Bag, £30
White Stuff Rowan Saddle Bag, £69.95
