The Coastal Cowgirl: Our first glimpse of Summer ’23

Another day, another Tiktok trend, amirite? The Coastal Cowgirl aesthetic comes hot of the press just in time really as Spring is sweeping in and Summer is on our minds.

It’s like if Clean Girl and Cottagecore had a baby on a farm. It gives laid back, effortless, but also cool without trying, you know?

@lexilunde And @paigelorenze is the blue print 🎲 #coastalcowgirl #coastalcowboy #summer2023 #summer2023trends ♬ Texas Sun – Khruangbin & Leon Bridges

But listen, i really love this one. In fact, the whole team is kind of digging this vibe, our Creative Brand Director (and just overall incredible human), Brittney, is the first one who shared it and she may actually be the original Coastal Cowgirl. From being the first person to inspire me to get my cowboy boots, to her just being the queen of a casual denim look.

So let’s get down to it, what makes a Coastal Cowgirl…. the key elements:

• Crisp whites and neutrals
• Cowboy boots + hats (duh)
• Subtle floral details (like a crochet moment, yes please!)
• Denim, all the denim.
• Nothing too tight fitting, think airy + breezy

I think the part of the trend that fascinates me is that it plays on a tightrope of design balance. Go too far into the effortless and neutrals and you could end up looking like a potato sack that fell off the truck on I-80.

I think when (not if!) this becomes a mainstream style, I think this delicate balance will be what creates a barrier to participation.

Fitted, but comfortable.

The jeans, look like you could eat a hearty bowl of chilli (is that what cowboys eat?) and still have a little breathing room, and the shirts that have enough room for the wind to play with but still are flattering.

Worn in, but not ragged.

Like the denim, the reclaimed wood, the soft wrinkles in the cowboy boots. It all feels very intentional and in a weird way, comforting? But never dirty or scraggly.

Effortless, but not lazy.

I think the face of the Cowgirl Aesthetic is like a blonde girl somewhere out on the prairie, wind in her hair, jeans, linen top with statement cowboy boots. It looks so breezy and effortless, but yet so cohesive.

Detailed, but still subtle.

From a little crochet moment on your top to a frill on your sleeve or a bold pattern on your boots… There are little hints of detail in the sea of whites, denim and warm browns. The true coastal cowgirls know how to pair details without the chaos… give each detail it’s moment to shine.

Cowboy boots are the new statement piece.

The core of the aesthetic unsurprisingly is the boots. But, this is where the ✨details✨ come in, I feel like the cowboy boot is the new handbag. It’s a moment to show off a little flair, it’s an accessory where you can show the world a taste of flavor. Spice it up if you will.

Like excuse me Dolce Vita, okkk I see you. Look how cute these ones are?

@madelinebajczyk Its giving coastal cowgirl 🤌🏼 on my LTK!! RUN #coastalcowboy #coastalcowgirl #dolcevita #dolcevitashoes #dvpartner #dolcevitapartner #westernboots #coastalgranddaughter ♬ Her x Promiscuous – Hunny Bee 😈

But really my favorite cowboy boots I think I’ve seen to date (don’t tell 🤫), is the ones Cassey wore to South By Southwest this weekend in Austin. I thought about not mentioning them because I dont even think Free People sells them anymore, but they deserved their moment in the spotlight.

I mean… how cute! That’s what I’m talking about it’s that little flair of detail that just makes the outfit perfect.

From Fashion to Home

While fashion is definitely the heart of this trend, the same elements play into the home as well. From breezy open windows, to reclaimed wood furniture, soft tones and crisp linen sheets.

@havenlystudio Welcome to my little safe haven… #fyp #studio #apartmenttour #coastal #cowgirl #coastalcowgirl #thrifted ♬ Linger – The Cranberries

Is the Coastal Cowgirl aesthetic for everyone?

I’ll be honest, when I was looking at the beautiful feeds of the girls posting about it. I feel like it does have a “look,” I could see Coastal Cowgirl getting some of the backlash that the Clean Girl aesthetic had with the blonde, skinny, tall stereotype. I mean it’s hard for someone like me to pull off effortless baggy jeans when I have a 25″ inseam and a more curvy hip area.

But if the question is, can anyone be a Coastal Cowgirl?? The answer is: yes.

And maybe that’s the real reason I was so drawn to this trend. Sure, it’s a fashion trend, but more… it’s like a feeling of letting go, being a bit more carefree, letting your hair down (but like maybe half-down, and wear a cute straw cowboy hat). Where it differs from the Clean Girl is it allows you to get a little messier and more playful? It’s allowing us to stop and pick the non-metaphorical flowers on the side of the road. It gives me hope for a Summer ’23 that is more lighthearted, sunlit and dare I say.. joyful?

So go on, have fun with it… pull out that old denim, crochet top and linen shirts that you’ve held onto for a decade. And plus, what better excuse to buy yourself some cute cowboy boots?!