I Want Chic Western-Inspired Outfits that I Can Wear in NYC—4 Looks I'm Recreating This Season

western couple

(Image credit: @jourdansloane)

Out of all of the fashion aesthetics out there western wear has always had a special place in my heart. With my love for all things Ralph Lauren, country music, horse back riding, and whiskey I was naturally drawn to dressing like I had a second home that doubled as a ranch. Last year I spent 5 days horseback riding in Montana and fell even more in love with the western vibes. That, on top of my first Stagecoach visit and Beyoncé dropping her Cowboy Carter album it’s safe to say that I’m in my Western era more than ever before.

This led me down a rabbit hole of searching for western-wear-inspired outfits that I could wear in my everyday life in NYC. Items that are still definitely Western pieces but feel elevated enough for New York. After doing some digging I found 4 chic western outfits that I could totally see myself wearing in the city. Espeically since one of my favorite Los Angeles western bars, Desert 5 Spot, just opened a location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So my days for longer for a chic NYC western-vibe bar are over, and I have the perfect place to sport all of the chic outfits I've been saving.

Keep scrolling to see which 4 western outfits I’ll be recreating ASAP and shop some other Western-inspired picks I love.

Micro Shorts + Tee Shirt + Tall Boots

cowhide shorts and t-shirt outfit

(Image credit: @styledsara)

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t predict hot pants trending for this long and I didn’t expect myself to love the trend as much as I do. These cowhide micro shorts scream “cowgirl chic” and pair well with any essential wardrobe top in your closet. However, my favorite pairing is these shorts with a classic white tee and a tall pair of boots, how cool would this be for drinks downtown or a night out?

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Cowboy Hat + Tee Shirt + Jeans + Belt

western outfit ideas

(Image credit: @jourdansloane)

Western wear outfits can be known to have a little flare for the dramatic but they are really about good basics (as demonstrated above). A really great pair of a jeans, a white tee you can trust plus a classic cowboy hat are the perfect ingredients for a subtle but stylish western outfit. I can see myself wearing this outfit in early September or with denim shorts in the summer. I’d describe this outfit as the low-key, chill cowgirl.

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Vest Top + Western Belt + Trouser

elsa hosk ralph lauren western outfit

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

A sexy vest top and pants outfit has always had a Western vibe, in my opinion. Especially when you throw on a bolo necklace and add a western belt. This is the perfect western-chic outfit for those of you who don’t want to wear a cowboy hat.

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Bikini Top + Button down + Jean Shorts

cowboy festival outfit

(Image credit: @emmaleger)

I needed to throw in an outfit to wear during the hottest summer month in NYC: August. This outfit is the perfect way to get away with wearing a bikini top out during the summer. This outfit was worn for a festival, (which makes sense) but I think with the right button-down and denim shorts I could pull this off for a Sunday fun day, barbecue, or day party.

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Shop more Western wear pieces:

Assistant Editor

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor at Who What Wear, Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.