Cameron Diaz in Gambit
As society’s thoughts head towards the East and those three wise men bearing gifts to a new-born baby bearing gifts in a manger, a substantial proportion of the fashion pack are turning their heads west, towards dust-soaked rodeo dreams, unabashedly intricate embroidery and a sense of adventure.
Isabel Marant A/W 12
It was probably
Isabel Marant that started it – the stand-out pieces of her A/W 12 collection appearing as if lifted from the wardrobe of the world’s most stylish cowgirl, a model strolling down the run-way in a light mauve shirt with traditional flower embroidery and maroon piping, and heavy duty suede trousers cut at a point to show off her delicate ankles, it was like the Wild West by way of Paris.
A.P.C A/W 12
That shirt is the kind of piece that makes you want to build outfits around it and immediately rocketed to the top of our must-have list, striking that delicate balance between casual and fancy, effortless and fashion-forward. But the French designer isn’t the only one indulging in a bit of Western nostalgia,
A.P.C and
Nili Lotan went for some traditional plaid shirts in their latest collections, and even
Stella McCartney fashioned one of her vibrant swirly applique A/W 12 styles with a very cowboy-esque buttoned up collar.
The cast of new American television show Nashville
And a trend wouldn’t be a trend without the requisite pop-culture reference, in this case hit new American television show
Nashville, which stars
Friday Night Lights’ Connie Britton and
Heroes’ Hayden Pannetiere as rival country singers, and has already racked up a cult following across the Atlantic. And this week sees the release of
Gambit, in which Cameron Diaz’s gorgeous cowgirl teams up with Colin Firth’s art expert for a con. Resplendent in stonewashed jeans, dazzling belt-buckles, checked shirts and statement lipstick Diaz shows how to give the traditionally tomboyish look just the right amount of girly pizazz.
Cameron Diaz in Gambit
With its rich colour palette and persuasion for intricate and elaborate patterns and motifs, western style give you plenty of opportunity to get festive, whilst essentially keeping things simple and wearable for day to day affairs. Just remember not to go the full Dolly Parton with glitter and fringing and rainbow hues galore (we salute you Dolly but you are a sartorial force we will never be able to emulate with dignity), stick to mixing in rodeo shirts and studded boots with some simple modern classics. Standing out this time of year can be tricky but done correctly, we can’t think of any better to pull it off than the Christmas cowgirl!