I’ve lived in Denver for over 30 years, and I’ve never been into western fashion. I did wear the ankle cowboy boots in the 80’s–remember those? And I’ve often toyed with buying full-on cowboy boots. But they are such a strong statement, that there is no shit-kicking-it with other styles.
I’ve talked here before about pulling pieces from different genres to make an outfit interesting. A classic trouser with a leather motorcycle jacket. Ripped, boyfriend jeans with a pretty blouse. I’ve never figured out how to pull off western pieces.
Ralph Lauren is the rodeo king of fashionizing western style. Karl Lagerfeld masterfully featured cowboy Chanel in Dallas four years ago, with square-toed cowboy boots, Pendleton blanket ruanas, fringed suede, and gun barrel-crossed necklaces. For Resort 2018, Maria Grazia Chiuri took Dior west with gorgeous Grand Canyon-colored fabrics, military boots, horses drawn caveman-style across a skirt, and folk art embroidery. On Monday at New York Fashion Week, western was seen more wearable by designers Derek Lam and Veronica Beard.
The western trend has been galloping along, and is breaking ahead next fall. This time I’m jumping on.
Veronica Beard Fall 2018
Derek Lam Fall 2018
Photos: National Western Stock Show Parade in Denver, January 4, 2018 . Dawn Bell Solich . Runway Photos: ImaxTree