LIFESTYLE

Best Western Wear to Live Out Your ‘Yellowstone’ Fantasies

I don’t ride horses. I’ve never roped a calf or ridden a bull that wasn’t mechanical, and yet I can’t help but gravitate toward the style of hard-working cowboys. Blame a childhood spent watching neo-westerns like Silverado and Young Guns, along with the recent cowboy soap opera Yellowstone. Or maybe my fondness of western wear is just a spillover from my obsession with workwear in general. Whatever the reason, I can’t get enough of western-inspired attire—from the classic cowboy hat down to a pair of hard-worn boots. And I’m not the only one.

Heritage makers such as Stetson continue to set the benchmark for everyone to follow. Meanwhile, lifestyle brands like Buck Mason and Seager Co.,—which mixes chill SoCal vibes with a rugged ethos—are filling out their lineup with western wear staples. In other words, we’re all a little bit obsessed with the Wild West look right now.

Here’s everything you need to steal the cowboy look, even if you live in the city.

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1. Seager Co. Longhorn Straw Hat

Is it too obvious to suggest the hat is the key to a successful western look? Maybe. But Seager’s Longhorn is too perfect to resist. You get the classic cowboy silhouette, but instead of the traditional (and hot) felt, Seager uses a lightweight, ivory straw that’s supremely ventilated for a breezy, easy-to-wear lid that won’t weigh you down. The 4-inch brim keeps the sun off while an interior sweatband helps wick moisture in the worst heat. Put it all together and you have the perfect summer cowboy hat.

[$120; seagerco.com]

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2. Stetson 1865 Distressed Open Road Oval Hat
Not all cowboy hats are 10-gallon affairs. The Open Road is an understated style that was popular with sophisticated American legends like Harry Truman. Stetson’s version is handmade in Texas with quality felt and a leather sweatband and comes perfectly distressed right out of the box.
[$270; stetson.com]
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3. Chisos No. 2 Boots
Yes, the price tag of these boots is a little steep, but the leather used for the Chisos No. 2 actually gets more beautiful with age, developing a patina that’s unique to each pair of boots. Our favorite touch? The stitching on the ankle. It’s understated, but also a nod to the petroglyphs found inside South Texas’s underrated Big Bend State Park.
[$545; chisos.com]
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4. Frye Duke Roper Boots
Roper boots were designed specifically to help rodeo cowboys rope calves, featuring a lower heel and wider platform that’s built for movement. We like the simple style of Frye’s version, which eschews fancy stitching for a clean, supple leather that’s just at home in the office or bar as it is in the ring of a rodeo.
[$478; thefryecompany.com]
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5. Tecovas Denim Pearl Snap Shirt
Denim shirts are a staple of western wear because they’re durable enough to put up with daily abuse, but somehow manage to look better the more you wear them. Tecovas’ Denim shirt has all the hallmarks of the style, from the pearl snaps to the western yoke, but none of the hokeyness you find from other modern takes on the style. And you can pick your color. Coriander is perfect for ranch work, while white dresses up for date night.
[$88; tecovas.com]
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6. Wrangler Retro Premium Jeans
Slim fit, straight leg, and no frills, the Retro Jeans blend the best of classic western style, like subtle stitching on the pockets and wide enough cuffs to fit over boots—with a modern fit that won’t look out of place hailing a cab. The jeans are made from an 11.5-ounce stretch denim that won’t constrict you, whether you’re riding a horse or a bike to the bar.
[$89; wrangler.com]
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7. Faherty Timberline Fleece Trucker Jacket
You could go with a thin denim jacket—but if you want to be truly warm, opt for this trucker-style denim that’s lined with high-pile fleece that feels like a hug. Big, metal shank buttons round out the look, and it’s all made with mother nature in mind, using organic cotton and recycled fleece.
[$298; fahertybrand.com]
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8. Montana Silversmiths Vintage Bronze Texas Longhorn Buckle
It’s tempting to get outlandish with the buckle, but we advise exercising a bit of restraint. Big, sure, but not too flashy and skip the rhinestones. The Bronze Longhorn Buckle strikes the balance, with a tasteful steer notched in the center of a filigree design, edged with rope. The bronze finish is the perfect touch.
[$130; montanasilversmiths.com]
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9. Howler Brothers Rounder Vest
Do cowboys wear puffy vests? Probably not. But the puffer is a staple of the winter wardrobe for a reason—extra pockets for your things and extra warmth for your torso—and the Howler Bros Rounder oozes retro Western vibes with a two-tone aesthetic with western yoke accents. It’s also stuffed with PrimaLoft insulation and built from a water-resistant rip-stop shell.
[$135; howlerbros.com]
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