Dressing With 'True Grit'

This spring, I've been putting together little south-western inspired outfits.  My boss loves to describe these looks by saying, 'It's a little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll'.  And I think that makes a lot of sense. 

When incorporating some western flare to your outfit, you only want to add a little bit of country, and you also want to give it some edge.  I don't want to look like I'm about to go square dancing.  Designers like Derek Lam and Hermes showed some really cool looks for spring 2011 that were masculine western looks with feminine touches.  I just want little hints of these western pieces.  If you have one western item on, it's best to keep the rest of your outfit somewhat basic. 

Here are some south western items that are perfect for 2011: 

Cowboy Boots:  The best cowboy boot in my opinion is something in a cognac color with simple embossed leather.  It is important to consider the material and the color.  Suede is a great option, too.  But getting the boots in this whiskey-ish color will maximize their ability to match different outfits, whether black or brown.  And the simple embossing won't take away from the other things you are wearing.  Calf-length boots with pointed toes look the most genuine to me.  Square toes make me think about motorcycles instead of horses.  I love the look of cowboy boots peeking out from the hem of a form fitting maxi skirt.  They look great under boot-cut or flare jeans, with a simple tank top, and a stack of gold bracelets.   And a casual dress with a great pair of cowboy boots can look so cool.  I stick to solid colors/no prints when wearing dresses with the boots.  Something like these are a great option if you don't want to do a full-on cowboy boot.  My dad's boss, who wears cowboy boots every day, says he stands in a bathtub full of water with his boots on to break them in.  I have not tried this trick yet.

Conchos:  I love Conchos!  can totally transform a simple look.  Silver Conchos on belts, on jewelry, and bags!  Just don't put conches all over the place.  Choose one Concho-themed piece and keep the rest of your outfit western-free.  A little Conchos belt with jeans, white tee, and sandals is such an easy weekend look.  Sling a Conchos belt around your hips over a maxi dress.

Fringe:  A little fringe goes a long way.  I wear my Minnetonka moccasins with fringe to death.  Fringed cardigans and scarves can rev up your outfit.  I am in love with my ADA 'Inca' fringe belt.  Lena Bernard has this great 'Relica 2' fringe cuff out right now.  In fact, I just got some fringe (bangs) cut into my hair last week!

Prints:  Native American prints, tiny floral prints and ruffles, embroidery, plaid - these are all things that fit into this category and should be the standout pieces of your outfit, and keep everything else basic.

Huaraches:  These strappy Mexican sandals are a cute option, especially when wearing cowboy boots during summer in Missouri makes you think of heat stroke.  They have a little bit softer look to them than the beloved gladiator sandal.  I, again, like them in a cognac/whiskey/tan color that matches back to everything in your wardrobe.

Natural Stones: When you think of western jewelry you think of turquoise.  And just like everything else, proceed with caution!  Don't pile turquoise up everywhere.  Any stone that is raw,natural, rustic, or worn looking will compliment this look, but don't feel like you need to stick to these stones only- play around with your jewelry box! (Take a peek at my previous post for jewelry layering tips.)

Chambray:  This fabric has been a trend we've seen for a couple of seasons now, and it's a really easy way to get some western feel into your closet.  I love to take a chambray button-up and tie the front tails into a little knot.  Pair that with white jeans or shorts, and a sandal.  And chambray doesn't have to be limited to your tops - try a chambray dress or shorts!  The lighter weight the better.

It shouldn't be a chore to get dressed in the mornings, and I hope these tips help you have fun with it!  To end the post, here are a couple quotes for y'all, all by unknown cowboys/girls:

"Don’t squat with your spurs on."

"Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back."

"It ain't the clothes that make the cowgirl, it's the attitude and the heart."