Western Fashion Keeps Coming Back - What about the Wild West?

Western Style Keeps making a comeback — Can we say the same for the Wild West?

A chill has crept into the early mornings and my sweaters are in transit back to the city from their storage at my parents house. I’ve put my mourning of summer behind me to focus on the important things - fall fashion is back. But as the falling leaves grow and pile up on West Village sidewalks, so too do the number of cowboy boots crunching them on the way to dinner. Denim on denim, barn jackets and fringe are filling up urban streets and fashion weeks another season in a row. But while New York runways are celebrating a Western aesthetic, the muse itself is under siege of climate change, policy rollbacks and a dilution of cultural motifs. National Parks across the country are under threat, and our wide open spaces are shrinking faster than ever before. How can we pair next year's revival of cowboy boots with a greater acknowledgement and appreciation of the American West itself? Can our enduring love for the bohemian cowgirl evolve beyond a trend, and feed a deeper conviction to protect the wild places behind her existence? 

The spirit of the Wild West has withstood the test of time, just as its rugged aesthetic continues to capture fashion’s imagination. Vogue announced their 8 predictions for 2025's fall and winter trends - two returning from last year being Bohemian and Country. Chloe's fall runway of flowing maxi skirts, billowing blouses and turquoise layered jewelry whispered that bohemian was here to stay. At the same time, Prada, Lowe, and Ralph Lauren favored the utility of duck boots and barn jackets in their fall collections. Backyard chic is the latest evolution in western romanticism and my personal favorite; the fundamental durability and practicality of a Hunter boot and canvas jacket favors sturdy, natural materials and can be worn for years. Now mixing the fragile, flowing feminine with a stable, worn-in staple is where I think it really gets fun (now who doesn’t love Beth Dutton’s ensembles). But can we really celebrate our frontier-inspired fall wardrobe without acknowledging the disappearance of what it is we’re dreaming of - untamed mountains, unpaved valleys, unobstructed winding rivers?

This September I went on a little adventure West to hike Glacier National Park in Northern Montana. One of the most visually stunning places I have ever laid my eyes on, and a logistical nightmare to do so. I never could have foreseen the permits, passes, timed vehicle entries, or shuttle reservations released in lottery waves. Getting what we needed to enter the best parts of the park was virtually impossible. (thank god I’m a raging Type A and scoured Reddit weeks before leaving). So what in the Parks n Rec is going on here? Recent rollbacks to National Parks Services funding means less staff who can maintain the land and respond to emergencies. This means less visitors allowed per day, and even less allowed in the most remote parts of the park. And it’s not just our protected parks that are at stake. The 2001 Roadless Rule which protects land across 48 states from road construction and timber harvesting, is proposed to be rescinded by the US Department of Agriculture. Without this legislation in place, nearly 45 million acres of national forests and grasslands are vulnerable to road paving, deforestation and oil drilling. In our eyes, sacrificing our country’s last truly wild places to feed an insatiable modern appetite for expansion and consumption is not only a tragedy, but a screaming call to action. 

The October Vogue cover dropped with Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid paying homage to fashion’s “love affair with the great outdoors.” But high fashion might be taking more than it’s giving in this partnership. At the same moment a cowboy hat and prairie dress are stomping down the runway, the great American West, an embodiment of rugged perseverance and a wild, untamed spirit, is at a dire crossroads. Commercialization and urban development is stalking the fence that protects our public parks and preserved lands. The meaning behind wearing a sturdy cowboy boot and durable denim has been lost, many opting to buy the half-priced polyester that will fall a part in one winter. We have lost the rich significance of Western and Native American culture as it becomes increasingly watered down in mainstream feeds. We need to reconcile our sentimentality for this beautiful part of the world, with our own responsibility to understand and protect it. Our thoughts on how to do so? Leave no trace, learn, and embrace. 

‘Leave No Trace’ is a common term used on the hiking trail, referring to a set of principles invoked when stepping into the outdoors. The idea is to leave local wildlife and ecosystems unchanged by your presence: by maintaining a respectful distance from animals, minding where you create a trail, and removing any and all food or trash you carry with you. Maybe we can take it one step further, on or off the trail - we can advocate for the unchanged presence of our lands, limit our use and disposal of plastic products, invest and dress in natural materials that won’t damage landfill soils. Let’s learn and make conscious choices on what organizations we support, where we travel, how we spend our money on things and clothes. Are you supporting governing bodies, corporations, or brands who align with your interests and values? (Oftentimes this takes a little reading behind the scenes to really find out).

Finally embrace what you support!! Embrace the culture behind the quick leather trend you picked up from TikTok. Understand the background and tradition that’s wrapped up in a Zara mannequin’s cow-patterned sweater. Support the brands who DO blend the meaning of these styles with their rich heritage. Here’s some who are doing it right: Carhartt just launched a sick collaboration with designer Bethany Yellowtail to properly celebrate Native American heritage in their designs. Levi’s latest denim pays a nod to the legacy of the Western frontier and American cowboy, weaving clothing that matches the strength and durability of their original wearer. And the best partner I’ve ever seen for the great outdoors is mission-driven Patagonia. Not in the market for a new windbreaker? We know a little brand that was inspired big by Patagonia and may be a little more what you’re looking for…