How to Wear the Coastal Cowgirl Aesthetic

What is the coastal cowgirl aesthetic?

Coastal cowgirl is a fashion trend combining beachy and Western items. This viral TikTok aesthetic uses a color palette of light and summery neutrals like light blue, white, and beige. It combines denim with floral prints and mixes lace, linen, and cotton with cowboy boots to create a Southern-meets-the-sea vibe. Coastal cowgirl outfits are also great for transitioning between seasons since they mix flowy pieces like sundresses with warmer items like jean jackets.

The coastal cowgirl look went viral on TikTok in summer 2023. However, the beach cowgirl look had been popular long before it took off on the app. Fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Natalie De Banco have incorporated both Western and coastal elements in recent fashion lines and runway shows. The rise of the coastal cowgirl trend may have also been influenced by Coachella, the long-running music festival set in the desert close to Los Angeles. Combining the Wild West vibes of the festival’s location with the beachy fashion of its famous attendees has made it a place to spot coastal cowgirl trends long before they were called that. More recently, major pop culture moments like the popularity of TV series Yellowstone and Daisy Jones and the Six may have influenced the immense resurgence of beachy, bohemian, and cowboy-inspired looks all rolled into one. Even after hitting its peak on TikTok in 2023, coastal cowgirl has definitely remained in style. It continues to persevere as a popular aesthetic and has transitioned into new trends and seasons.

Celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Kendall Jenner wear coastal cowgirl. Miley Cyrus is credited as one of the earliest inspirations for the coastal cowgirl look, as she’s long paired her beachy look as a California resident with cowgirl accessories alluding to her Southern roots. Other artists like Stevie Nicks, whose style is defined by bohemian looks with long flowing sleeves, are looked to as celeb inspiration for the aesthetic. Many influencers, models, and actresses adopted the coastal cowgirl trend after its popularity surged on social media. Celebrities who have worn the coastal cowgirl trend include Kendall Jenner, Suki Waterhouse, Camila Morrone, Lori Harvey, and Sydney Sweeney.

Putting Together a Coastal Cowgirl Outfit

Stick to light, airy fabrics for your base pieces. Try summer dresses, loose-knit sweaters, and button-down tops that give off a windswept, beachfront vibe. Look for loose and flowing silhouettes in breathable materials like gossamer, gauze, linen, and crocheted fabrics. It's even better if they have some feminine accents like ruffles, tiers, or lace! You can really use anything that gives off beachy vibes, like tiered maxi skirts, macramé tops, or even sheer beach cover-ups. Stick to a color palette of pale blues, warm-toned neutrals, creams, whites, and beiges. However, you can add some small statement pieces in turquoise and crimson to bring a pop of color.

Pair your beachwear with denim jackets or bottoms. Layer a denim shirt or jacket over a flowy blouse to provide some structure and contrast. Add a denim midi skirt, maxi skirt, culottes, or classic pair of jeans to finish off your Wild West meets West Coast aesthetic. To add that worn-in, just-got-back-from-my-horseback-ride look to your denim, buy distressed pieces or distress a pair of jeans that you already own. You can also personalize your jeans by adding either cowgirl-themed or beach-themed patches. It takes only a little effort to iron or sew patches onto denim, but it’ll add a ton of coastal cowgirl flair! Other unique ways to incorporate denim into your coastal cowgirl look include denim vests and denim purses.

Accessorize with cowboy boots and beach-inspired items. Aside from the essential cowboy boot, add more Western-inspired accessories like big-buckled belts, bolo ties, fringed leather bags, and the classic cowboy hat. To add more beachy accessories, try seashell necklaces, friendship bracelets, and woven beach bags. Remember that this look is all about contrast: your retro and earthy Western pieces should balance out the softness and femininity of the coastal ones. Ultimately, you can choose whether to go more coastal or more cowgirl or strike the perfect blend of both.

15 Outfit Ideas for the Coastal Cowgirl Trend

Sun-Soaked Coastal Cowgirl For this look, start with a swingy sundress or full-circle skirt. Choose a dress or skirt in a light blue or white color palette. To add the cowgirl edge, add lived-in-looking cowboy boots to balance out the softness on top. Look for tops and skirts with nautical prints (like anchors or whales) or sweet accents like ruffles or ribbons.

Floral Coastal Cowgirl Start by putting on your favorite floral sundress, preferably in a neutral or pastel color palette. Add woven accessories like a straw handbag or macramé belt. Pair the whole look with some mid-calf Western boots for a subtler take on the trend that will still leave you looking cute!

Bohemian Coastal Cowgirl Infuse your coastal cowgirl look with some of the West Coast boho styles that inspired it. Focus on building your outfit with soft colors, flowy fabrics, and floral prints. Start with a floral maxi dress and pair it with a floor-length, loose-knit cardigan. Throw on some suede cowboy boots, round sunglasses, and a hobo bag.

Cozy Coastal Cowgirl Scoot into a comfortable pair of distressed denim shorts and throw on an oversized flannel. Throw on a classic pair of worn, brown leather cowboy boots and accessorize with a tasseled tote bag. This look pairs the cuddliest aspects of both the coastal and cowgirl look—if you can picture yourself cozying up at a beach bonfire or around the campfire at a mountain cabin, you’ve nailed it.

Laidback Coastal Cowgirl Keep things casual in this coastal cowgirl look by pairing a comfy, cropped sweatshirt with your favorite pair of jeans. Choose a pair of funky cowboy boots that really elevate the look with a fun design or contrast stitching. Add a bomber jacket or other oversized outerwear to polish off the look.

Double Denim Coastal Cowgirl Put together a denim-on-denim outfit (also known as the Canadian tuxedo) with denim pants and a light denim overshirt. Layer with a simple white cotton tee or linen blouse underneath the denim shirt. Add a neutral-colored jacket if you need one. Add a final statement piece to this outfit with embroidered cowboy boots. When wearing double denim, choose two similar washes of denim rather than an exact match.

Minimalistic Coastal Cowgirl Dress in a full black-and-white palette for a minimal and polished take on the coastal cowgirl trend. Try a crisp white button-down shirt with black, mid-thigh jean shorts. Add a pair of black cowboy boots with some subtle white stitching or embroidery.

C’est Chic Coastal Cowgirl This Parisian-inspired look is a great choice if you can’t choose between dressing in quiet luxury or coastal cowgirl looks. Start with any pair of fitted jeans and a statement top—try a high-necked or ruffled blouse in a floaty linen fabric. Add a super smooth and sleek pair of black cowboy boots and top it all off with color-coordinated accessories.

Girl Boss Coastal Cowgirl Contrast the laidback energy of the coastal cowgirl with this high-powered, high-fashion look. Start with a super structured skirt set or mini dress. Stick with something in a neutral color palette that has very sharp and defined lines. Add cowboy boots in a soft color and soften up the whole look with a mini-purse or pastel sunglasses.

Business In the Front Coastal Cowgirl Pair a white button-down shirt with cut-off denim shorts. Go for high-waisted, wide-legged denim shorts—denim culottes would be a good choice. Finish off this coastal cowgirl fit with (of course!) a classic pair of cowboy boots.

Runway Ready Coastal Cowgirl To dress like a model would if embracing the coastal cowgirl trend, pair teeny-tiny small separates with a piece of oversized outerwear. For example, you could wear a crochet bra top and denim micro-shorts with a huge oversized blazer or denim jacket. This version of the coastal cowgirl aesthetic is most often seen in the front row of fashion shows or at influencer-studded music festivals.

Streetwear Coastal Cowgirl If dressing in street-style clothing is already your go-to, this look will be a walk in the park (or street) for you. Streetwear fashion is inspired by current urban trends, often among youth and counterculture groups. While streetwear evolves on an almost daily basis, some commonly seen items include oversized jeans, joggers, puffer jackets, and graphic t-shirts. To add some coastal cowgirl flair to a streetwear look, throw on a coordinating cowgirl hat or a cool pair of cowboy boots!

Sheer Coastal Cowgirl For a look that’s a nice balance of risqué and chic, wear a sheer midi dress over full coverage underwear and a bralette or bra top. Pair this sheer outfit with over-the-knee cowboy boots to get a bit more coverage. Finally, add some Western-inspired accessories like a fringe belt or turquoise necklace.

Date Night Coastal Cowgirl Pair a silky, neutral-colored slip dress with two-toned cowboy combat boots. Add some oversized outerwear for structure. Possible outerwear could be a classic denim jacket, an oversized blazer, or a puffy bomber jacket.

Retro Coastal Cowgirl If you prefer putting your own eclectic spin on the latest fashion trends, this look is definitely for you. Tuck an airy blouse into a classic A-line skirt, then round out the look with chunky platform sandals or attention-grabbing cowboy boots in a splashy color. To accessorize the look and make it even more campy and unique, add oversized metallic accessories and a flashy cowgirl hat.