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The allure of the Old West has been attracting designers for decades. There are those like Ralph Lauren, for whom cowboy styling is a perennial favorite, and others like D&G who only visit the West on the occasional whim -- as they did for Spring 2010. Whether this classic trend is a favorite of yours or a new and unfamiliar world, there are a few easy ways to infuse your look with cowboy trends. Go West, young woman!
Leather
Leather may be one of the most quintessentially cowboy of all materials. In its various incarnations, it serves the cowboy or cowgirl as jackets, shoes, accessories and chaps. Although chaps may not work so well in your own wardrobe, leather can. Suede leather is a great way to create variety in texture. Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 collection even included a suede dress, so don't be afraid to work this material beyond just boots and bags. Shorts and skirts are another option. Embossed leather also lends an aged, vintage feel and contributes well to the worn-in Western trend. Finally, never discount the flair of fringe. Fringe on a handbag or leather jacket makes a simple piece decidedly more interesting and edgy.
Denim
A pair of jeans is so perfectly Western that it vies with leather for the position of Most Prized in any cowgirl's closet. Your denim shouldn't be relegated to shorts and pants. Denim jackets and shirts -- paired with jeans or a billowy cotton skirt -- add a rugged edge to your outfit. Look for thinner denim in a shirt to show off your feminine figure. Thicker fabrics can easily look boxy and large. For a more polished finish, a dark-wash denim dress can elegantly allude to the freedom of the Great West without making you look like you just came from the ranch.
Fur and Skins
Fur treads the line between completely luxe and glamorous, and very rugged and cowboy. For a fur that's reminiscent of the Old West, look for a vest in a fur or faux fur that's variegated in color -- a mix of brown and gray works well -- rather than a recognizable leopard, mink or other luxurious fur. If the weather is especially chilly, throw on a fur-lined trapper hat. This piece is playful and unexpected amid an otherwise grown-up look. Like fur, skins can also tend to be very haute-couture or a simple cowboy staple. Snakeskin done in a rough-around-the-edges silhouette gives you a good deal more cowboy credibility. For example, snakeskin platform heels are too glam for the farm, but snakeskin boots are right at home. Likewise, snakeskin works well as a cuff bracelet or slouchy bag with metal accents.
Details
The pared-down and straightforward silhouettes of the cowboy trend are perfectly paired with heavy, chunky accents. For example, oversize buckles on almost any piece are a welcome addition, as are oversize turquoise and silver baubles. Long, thin chains draped around your neck balance the masculinity of the other pieces, and are an opportunity to work in a dainty horseshoe or bull's-head charm. When you balance light and heavy pieces as well as fitted and fuller clothes, you'll look admirably on-trend rather than right off the farm.
