Coastal Cowgirl: How To Achieve This Summer’s Patriotic Aesthetic
Gen Z is back at it again with another fun, feminine aesthetic ingrained in American culture, and it’s also the perfect way to dress for a relaxing summer.
An American summer: hot dogs on the grill, barefoot walks in the cool sand at night, the smell of sunscreen and chlorine pools, fireworks illuminating the sky in red, white, and blue. Our summers are rooted in nostalgia and tradition, as is American culture in general. It’s no secret that looking back on our past has influenced fashion lately. As Gen Z prolongs its search into childhood memories – both personal and cultural – the fashion industry is left with new demands. With that, meet the coastal cowgirl. The coastal cowgirl is a combination of the coastal granddaughter and the Western aesthetics, both of which make references to Americana.
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The Background Aesthetics
The coastal granddaughter fuels Gen Z’s interest in the old money aesthetic, their desire for comfortable elegance while staying true to their youthfulness and not breaking the bank. A counterpart to the more mature coastal grandmother aesthetic, it’s an elegantly casual look perfect for relaxing vacations in quaint beach towns on the East Coast. Pieces that make up this style include sweaters, blue-striped tops, denim shorts, and long white dresses.
Throughout the 2020s, pop culture has had a tremendous role in creating nostalgia for Americana, primarily through music. If one person can be responsible for the Gen Z uproar surrounding the Wild West this year, it’s Beyoncé and her latest album, Cowboy Carter. On the cover, the singer rides sidesaddle on a horse, wearing a white cowboy hat and holding the American flag. Every detail of the album cover from top to bottom is an ode to Western American history and culture.
Since the release of Cowboy Carter in March of this year, the already-growing demand for the cowgirl aesthetic has skyrocketed. Leather boots were on everyone’s feet this spring, and the trend has even continued well into the scorching summer. Denim-on-denim has become our new favorite jacket-pant pairing. Honestly, an outfit doesn’t get more American than a denim jacket and jeans.
Other artists have played a role in Gen Z’s craving for Americana as well. The most obvious example is Lana Del Rey, who built her career and image on a vintage, American flavor that makes us yearn for ‘50s diners that serve cherry-topped milkshakes, ‘60s babydoll dresses in gingham, red lipstick, and heart-shaped sunglasses. Her songs have made us nostalgic for an era of American history her fans weren’t even born in. Albums such as Born to Die make us feel like we are strolling down the beach on a hot July day.
The hashtag #vintageamericana has millions of views on TikTok, videos on the platform moodboarding the aesthetic and discussing it receiving up to hundreds of thousands of likes. The imagery consists of nostalgic photo filters, delicious cherry red motifs, buttery yellow sweaters, the iconic American flag waving over a blue sky. “National Anthem” and “Every Man Gets His Wish,” iconic Del Rey songs, play in the background.
Why the Coastal Cowgirl Is Perfect for a Gen Z Summer
Gen Z is always looking for different styles to embrace their femininity. Each season, new aesthetics pop up on our For You Pages. In the winter, it was the mob wife, embracing maximalist glamour and pushing away from 2023’s perfectionist clean girl. In the spring, it was the office siren, celebrating the working girl and 1990s minimalist fashion icons. Now, for summer, it’s most definitely the coastal cowgirl, who is here for the girls who love the simple American life. She wants an easygoing summer, free from chaos, woes, and concerns about the outside world. The coastal cowgirl would like her outfits to reflect all of this. She wants classic, effortless pieces. Showing off the red, white, and blue isn’t a problem for her, as her outfits often reflect a subtle patriotism.
The hashtag #coastalcowgirl has over 30.7K posts on TikTok as of July 2024. Countless videos offer tips on how to dress in this style, and it goes to show how much Gen Z prefers simplicity and comfort above all else. Like with previous major trends, we're looking for things that aren’t overly complicated, styles that don’t take too much thought in order to successfully pull off. Because the coastal cowgirl is a marriage of two already well-established aesthetics, figuring out and finding what to wear isn’t difficult.
Fabrics also play a role in the coastal cowgirl’s appeal. Transitioning to adulthood during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, Gen Z makes comfort top priority. Coastal cowgirl outfits consist of soft fabrics that surely meet this generation’s needs. Tessa of the fashion trend analysis account @ModernGurlz says, "You can expect to see a lot of natural materials, so think leather, denim, cotton, linen.” Linen and cotton are highly favorable fabrics for summer, and the leather and denim speak to the Americana, Western aspect of the coastal cowgirl.
How To Dress Like a Coastal Cowgirl
Cowboy Boots Are a Must
Without a doubt, these leather boots are a staple of any American-inspired aesthetic, and they put the “cowgirl” in coastal cowgirl. With all of the celebrity-induced obsession surrounding cowboy boots, they have become abundantly accessible. Available in neutral tones such as black, white, and different shades of brown, cowboy boots are easy to complete any outfit.
Thursday Boots Rodeo, $199
Nautical Colors Are the Blueprint
Nothing gives off more nautical vibes than the pairing of blue and white. Whatever the shade of blue – such as navy, cobalt, or pastel – this color combination is key to achieving the coastal cowgirl aesthetic. A great majority of the pieces surrounding the coastal cowgirl come in blue and white, whether they are put together on a garment or are sold separately.
Basic but pretty picks include button-up shirts, wide-leg linen pants, flowy dresses and skirts (in any length), and mini tops. Ruffled mini skirts and tiered maxi skirts, preferably in white, are cute ways to let the upper half of a coastal cowgirl outfit do all of the talking. Blue and white motifs such as florals and stripes are great options to catch the eye and highlight the beachy influences of this style.
Oversized Sweaters To Watch the Sunset In
Knit sweaters are a cozy way to spend a breezy summer morning or night. When oversized, they’re an effortless and comfy option that’s fitting to watch the sun rise and set in. The Americana origin of the coastal cowgirl comes to light through sweaters featuring the American flag front and center. For a daytime look, complement the sweater with a cute pair of ripped jean shorts.
Mix Up Different Materials in the Same Outfit
Pairing different fabrics together to make an outfit is a fun way to make it look interesting. Denim jeans and shorts are classic American garments and are also a must-have for summertime, regardless of the aesthetic you’re aiming for. There’s also eyelet, which is a stylish, decorative hole in fabric such as cotton. Crocheted garments are another unique option that creates a comfortable yarn feeling reminiscent of being wrapped in a knitted blanket or sweater.
Zara Denim Vest, $36
PacSun Ripped Shorts, $50
Statement-Making Accessories
Accessories are a great way to define a specific aesthetic, setting it apart from other, similar styles. It’s easy to adorn a coastal cowgirl look, given the many options from both parents of this aesthetic. Cowboy hats are an obvious go-to and create a fun sense of energy and adventure in an outfit. Seashell motifs in a pair of earrings or some layers of necklaces highlight the nautical side of the coastal cowgirl. For carrying sea glass and a beach towel, try out a crochet tote bag.
From its vintage vibes to its comfy chic options, the coastal cowgirl is hands down the aesthetic of the season. With Western wear taking the fashion world by storm and the summer sun high in the sky, there couldn’t be a better time to embrace this generous aesthetic. Unleash your inner cowgirl or mermaid (or both) with denim vests and flowy skirts, and spend the day collecting shells and humming Lana Del Rey classics. The coastal cowgirl makes styling yourself this summer as easy as slipping on a pair of cowboy boots.
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