Western Without The Yeehaw
I have always loved fashion. I majored in apparel merchandising in college, owned my own women’s clothing store and was a fashion writer for a local magazine. So I figured it was only natural to add my love of fashion to the blog from time to time. This is my first style post as I begin to navigate fashion looks and styles that are popular, flattering and have a horse-centered theme.
As a youth I showed western and english but was never comfortable wearing western themed clothing and as an amateur I primarily showed english (living in breeches and English boots) until I switched to ranch riding and began to embrace some of the western styles into my wardrobe. First it was out of need, I needed to ride in western jeans and boots and then I needed to show in a more ranchy style. Then it became fun to reach into the western world and pull out some favorites to combine with my high fashion “non-horse” wardrobe. Western fashion has always seemed stagnant (same styles, patterns, trimmings over and over) as well as over the top, substituting flamboyance for substance and taste (cue NFR pictures). While I have no judgement about what others wear, the NFR look is just not for me. I commend the bold style choices they make. But too many years of reading Vogue and Anna Wintour’s style have seared into my brain and help shape what I want to wear.
So with that, I am beginning to explore what western fashion can be for me and I call it Western Without The Yeehaw. Combining what is modern and current in fashion with traditional and popular western elements that aren’t over the top. I hope you enjoy and let me know how you combine your horse clothes with your street clothes, stable style if you will.
This outfit is really very simple but made unique by color and design. I paired my favorite Haala skinny jeans with a bright pink silky top from Lime Lush (a great place to find trendy, inexpensive tops and dresses) and tie-dye cowboys boots from Tin Haul. To keep the blouse from looking too full I did a super easy front tuck that also shows off my belt buckle. Jewelry is kept relatively simple to allow the top and boots to stand out.
I am a huge fan of Haala riding jeans and these are the jeans I ride in when I show in my tall top boots and chinks but they also do double duty and are worn out to dinner with knee high, non-western boots. They fit extremely well, with a flattering high waist, dark rinse and just enough stretch to be comfortable.
