The Modern Cowboy

The Modern Cowboy 

By Brooklyn Hoffmann

The Wild West refers to the American frontier that was explored and settled from the early 17th century onward. The American frontier brought with it folklore, legends, and historical events that have since inspired a whole genre of Western media. The Old West has become an aesthetic embedded deeply into United States culture, which is evident through Western film and fashion genres. Although it is rare to see a gun-wielding cattleman on horseback in the streets of a bustling city, Western culture is very much alive through modern society’s rendition of the cowboy.

The Western genre has been prominent in American culture for decades, with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood glamorizing tales of self-reliance, solitude, and wildness out in the desert. Cowboy boots, spurs, horses, and life on the prairie became its own aesthetic as time went on. 

The fashion world has since modernized Western style to include some of the staples while adding a present-day t0uch. The cowboy hat was popularized by John B. Stetson and once offered protection from the scorching sun and winds of the American West. Today, there are various styles, including the cattleman, pinched front, derby, and gambler hats that can be worn for practicality, but are usually used as a statement piece. The fringed jacket, raw denim jeans, detailed belt buckles, Western shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and leather boots have since become classics in the fashion industry. These pieces have resurfaced year after year in some of the most well-known brands’ collections, such as Dior, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Chloé. 

Cowboy culture has continued to evolve under the influence of modern country music as well. Artists like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers have built brands around the nostalgic simplicity of life in the West and perfected a style resembling that of the Old West. The rise of music festivals like Stagecoach in California has also led to the resurgence of cowboy culture among younger audiences. 

The cowboy look has become associated with rugged glamor and wild allure. The modern Western aesthetic blends practicality with contemporary touches. As much as trends come and go, cowboy culture is one that has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry and does not appear to be going away any time soon. 

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