Forever exploring the parameters of the ’80s, our love of the 20th century’s most excessive era has gone beyond obsession. From bringing back frothy Princess Diana-esque puffy sleeve dresses to in-your-face Stephen Sprouse neon, is there anything from the ’80s that we don’t love? What we never anticipated is the return of the cowboy-inspired dressing. Wanted dead or alive, the cowboy has inhabited the brains of every rock band that amplified the sounds of Sunset Strip. You name ’em: Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi and Poison. Accompanying the look with hair-raising antics and unbridled sleaze, the Wild West look became a trend that defined the streets of Sunset Strip.
Given that it’s been 18 years since we last saw Madonna and Destiny’s Child rock cowgirl-inspired gear, we’ve been waiting for a full comeback of the trend.
Related article: The Quintessential 2000s Accessories Trends That Are Coming Back (For Good)
Originally worn by Native American tribes (i.e. Navajo and Zuni), the Concho belt wasn’t a mass produced accessory that can be easily bought left and right by Coachella attendees. Made by silversmiths, each disk would be replicated with a floral or geometric motif. While concho belts were frequently worn with pants/tunics/dresses, they also decorated saddles.
It didn’t really become a mainstream fashion staple until Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison slung it dangerously low at their hips as they pranced around on stage 50 years ago. No stranger to cooking up zany guitar riffs and statement-making headgear, Slash cut up a concho belt and put it around a tophat, which he swiped from a store. Reincarnating the ’60s staple, Jon Bon Jovi wore his concho belt with jeans and a muscle tee.
Now that concho belts are in again, it’s time to let it breathe from the closet!
Score dibs on a handmade and one of a kind coral concho belt. Style it with leather pants, cowboy boots and a sleeveless shirts like the GOATs of rock ‘n roll.
Old Pawn Navajo Native American Coral and Stamped Sterling Concho Belt, US $1,480 at 1st Dibs
You asked, we answered. This is (honestly) the closest thing to Jim Morrison’s original concho belt.
Jessie Western Embellished Concho Belt, US $345 at Far Fetch
Unlike its hip hugging counterparts, this waist belt is unlike anything you’ve seen. Cinch it at the waist with your oversized blouses or prairie dresses.
B Low The Belt Dani Double Belt, US $165 at B Low The Belt
How can we not forget about this trend? Since it was spotted at the Louis Vuitton runway for F/W 2018, cowboy boots became the most unexpected trend to grow this year. While boots are best worn in cooler temps, we can actually make this trend work for our hot and humid climate. Compared to combat boots, the cowboy boot’s long, pointed toe and V-shaped top hemline actually do wonders for our legs. Making them look longer and slender, the cowboy boot is a trend to invest in, even if no one’s wearing them anymore.
Related article: How To Wear Booties With Jeans
As the most fall-friendly cowboy boots, you can literally think about a million ways to wear this. For a cocktail event, rock it with a thigh-grazing one-shouldered chiffon minidress and drop earrings for a modern touch on the ’80s trend.
Toga Pulla Knee High Cowboy Boots, $964 at Far Fetch
Style it with cutoff shorts, band tee and a fanny pack for the ultimate festival-inspired attire when you hit up F1.
Ganni Marlyn Western Leather Boots, USD $562 at Matches Fashion
Remember the days when your dad used to blast up Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction? The image of five dashing young men in cowboy boots, big hair, denim and leather at the back of the CD cover can’t seem to go away every now and then. Step out in the jungle with these serpentine-inspired snakeskin embossed boots.
Zimmermann Cowboy Boots, USD $895 at Shopbop
As one of the other Western-inspired essentials, the cowboy hat is absolutely weather-friendly as the wide brim offers more convenience and coverage than your umbrella. Whether you’re at a concert or a road trip, a little headgear can make a difference as seen on rising musician Kelela, who paired her Christopher Kane dress with a Swarvoski embellished hat at Coachella.
Ban bad hair days by covering up a hathead with this chic cowboy hat. Easy to throw on top of any outfit, it can freshen up a classic t-shirt and jeans combo.
Clyde Wool Felt Hat, USD $212.36 at Net-A-Porter
Smaller than most cowboy hats, this one is easy to pack and wear for everyday life. Pair it with black tuxedo pantsuit and cowboy boots for a Westworld meets YSL aesthetic.
Maison Michel Lydia Cowboy Hat, €650 at Maison Michel
As the less extra sibling of the concho belt, the Western belt is more minimalist and refined due to its slim band and statement buckles. Thanks to its versatility, you have more options to pair it with almost anything from your closet. Whether it’s slung outside the waist or low on the hips, the Western belt anchors an outfit together.
Related article: Are Belts The Must-Have Accessory Of 2018?
While Clare Waight Keller warmed our hearts with her eye for refined tailoring at Givenchy, we never anticipated her to push out this minimalistic take on the Western belt. Sleekly sophisticated, yet edgy, this belt polishes up a prairie dress and sneakers.
Givenchy Black & Gold Western Belt, USD $450 at Ssense
Pair it with a printed blouse and Levi’s 501s for a modern take on the Western aesthetic.
B Low The Belt Riley Transparent Belt, USD $110 at B Low The Belt
Made out of vegan/vegetarian-friendly cotton-poly, this chic canvas belt looks best with head to toe black denim.
Mango Cowboy Style Belt, $25.40 at Zalora
Who knew that this ’80s rocker/’90s rapper staple can come back again? Worn by Bella Hadid at Alexander Wang‘s fashion show, we never imagined that we can have an appetite for a bandanna, leather bottoms and denim jacket combo 30 years later.
For every guy named Bret, Axl and Tupac, they had one thing in common besides penning heart-wrenching songs and being a ladies’ man: they all wore red bandannas. Be inspired by these sexy muses by wearing it around your head. But, make it more femme with a pair of cat eye sunglasses and red lipstick.
DSquared2 Cotton Bandanna, $186 at Selfridges
Take home a little slice of Americana with this cute vintage 1950s bandanna. Tie it around your neck with a matching bolo necklace for the full cowgirl effect.
Vintage Roy Rogers Bandanna, $176.35 at Etsy
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