Seasonal Fashion Trends in the Southwest

Summer trends in Southwest: Boho chic and denim

So, you’re headed to the great Southwest this summer and you’re simply quaking in your fashionable boots thinking about what to pack, right? Well, worry not, fashionistas and flamboyant flâneurs, because this summer, the Southwest is taking off its cowboy hat and donning something fresh and fabulously idyllic – a blend of Boho Chic and your good old sweetheart, Denim.

Boho Chic, known for its witty mix of color, texture, and a dash of eclectic eccentricity, struts straight out of its 70s closet into the sun-baked Southwest streets this summer, bringing with it a breath of fresh, fashion-forward air. As if that wasn’t enough to make your fashion senses tingle, the reliable, always-in-style staple – Denim, is shared billing. What happens when you mix the free-spirit, love-and-peace vibe of the boho with the “I’m cool, you’re cool, everything’s cool” feel of denim? Alas, we are about to find out!

First, let’s inspect the Boho Chic trend. So, you might ask, ‘But my dear, snarky writer, what does one consider Boho Chic to be exactly?’ Well, I would reply with a number of features. Think of layers – flimsy, flowing dresses, oversized tunics, and off-shoulder tops worn with chunky, charming sandals.

Boho is where the East meets the West, and all the cultures in-between have a party; where feathers commingle with exotic beads and cowrie shells in a whirlwind of fashionista frenzy. Bring on the maxi skirts, fringe vests, romantic, lacy peasant blouses, and bandanas tied around loose, tousled waves. Is this a music festival or a day in the Southwest? With Boho chic, the line is beautifully blurred.

Now, here enters Denim. The cowboy’s companion, the biker’s best friend, the actor’s accomplice, Denim – the unpretentious hero of every wardrobe. This season, it’s all about a novel revival of this timeless trend.

Think beyond the obligatory pair of jeans. Think denim jackets, oversized and comfortable, or fitting and chic, that you can toss over a boho dress for a perfect sunset-to-campfire look. Or how about a denim romper, denim maxi dresses, or – or are you sitting down? – even denim swimsuits! Oh, don’t raise your eyebrows so high, it’s perfectly acceptable to be a little taken aback.

“Hannibal was not a Pike community, but it was typically southwestern in its somnolent, slave-holding, care-free atmosphere”

~ Unknown, Unknown

We’re talking about revolution here, sweetheart.

To be truly Southwest, folks, we suggest a loving marriage of Boho Chic and Denim. Picture this: a wide-brimmed straw hat, paired with a light-washed denim vest over a long, flowing, floral Boho dress. Or, dark denim flared jeans paired with an embroidered, off-shoulder boho top. It’s like a match made in fashion heaven!

This summer, be brave under the scorching Southwest sun. Don your Boho best, jeans or otherwise. Accessorize with charm. And, most importantly, enjoy every bit of being the perfect blend of rugged cool and breezy Boho. Because let’s be honest, there’s no trend hotter than you having fun styled in a delicious blend of boho chic and denim. It’s the Southwest way! Now, get out there and make the desert even hotter, you trendy trailblazer!

Winter wear in Southwest: Warm tones and layered clothing

As winter sweeps across the United States, plunging temperatures can make you feel like a Jack Frost popsicle. Interestingly, this doesn’t necessarily ring true if you happen to reside in the fabulous Southwest. Unlike the icy tundras of the North or the wet and windy landscapes of the East, the Southwest showcases a more whimsical winter. It’s a place where cacti are adorned with Christmas lights, faux snowflakes decorate palm trees, and you won’t need to worry about hacking up any ice in your driveway– unless of course, you fill your margarita glass a tad too generously.

For those of you fancying a Southwestern winter soiree this season, a few sartorial adjustments might be required to suit the milder climes. From tonal transitions to layering luxuries, let’s embark upon a journey to revise our winter wear theorem– Southwest style.

One of the primary fashion rules this winter on the Southwestern frontier revolves around embracing warm tones. In winter, people often lean towards dark tones, with closets filled with black, gray, and navy choices. However, the Southwestern winter fashion palette is like a setting sun, bathing its audience in a rich, warm glow. Amber, ochre, terracotta, maroon, and various hues of desert brown dominate the fashion scene symbolizing the sandy dunes and the breathtakingly beautiful twilight skyline. Imagine walking beneath the russet cliffs of Sedona in a burgundy pea coat, or sipping sunset cocktails in Santa Fe wrapped in a golden-hued pashmina. Exquisite, isn’t it?

Moving onto the layering game–it’s more than just decked-up onions having all the fun in the culinary world. The key to acing the winter in the Southwest lies in smart layering. As temperatures shift between comfortably cool days and chillier nights, layering presents a practical yet fashionable solution. Start with a base, perhaps a cotton tee or a light turtleneck.

“The mutineers would obviously cross the Jumna by the bridge of boats, and would then pass southwestward into the city, or northwestward towards the cantonment, or possibly both”

~ George Dodd, The History of the Indian Revolt and of the Expeditions to Persia, China and Japan 1856

Pile on a trendy vest or sweater (one that’s gloriously adorned with Aztec or Santa Fe-inspired prints, preferably). Then, top it off with a stylish denim jacket or soft leather blazer. Voila! You are a Southwestern winter fashion Picasso.

Do we stop there? Oh no, there’s more. Let’s not forget about the accessories, for they are the proverbial cherry atop our fashion sundae. Opt for cowboy boots over snow boots, embellished leather belts instead of woolen scarves, and don’t just cram your cowboy hat into the closet because the calendar reads ‘December.’ Pair them with your winter ensemble, and you’ll personify Southwest chic.

Finally, the Southwest winter sun is as deceptive as a charming con artist – bright and beautiful but silently harmful. So, remember to keep those sunglasses handy. Opt for designs that make a bold statement. Squares, Cat eyes, or Aviators – the quirkier, the better.

So, bundle up (but not too much), embrace those warm earth tones and get creative with your layers. Engaging with winter fashion doesn’t mean looking like an oversized, shivering woodland creature. Style and warmth are not mutually exclusive, and surely the Southwest knows a thing or two about this comfortable compromise.

Let’s bid adieu to heavy parkas and invest in fashionable layers, indulge in warm hues, and make every snow-free sidewalk our runway this winter in the sunny, stunning Southwest. Happy Warm-Layering!

Learn More Here: Winter Wear In Southwest: Warm Tones And Layered Clothing

Southwest festival Style: Cowboy boots and accessories trends

Roll up, y’all – because it’s time to explore the wild, wild west of fashion! Lo and behold, we are talking about southwest festival fashion. This isn’t about dressing like Clint Eastwood or John Wayne in an old-timey spaghetti western. No, ma’am! This is about taking those timeless, rugged elements and blending them into today’s world of high fashion with a dash of down-home country charm. We’re talking cowboy boots and accessories.

Imagine this: the beaming desert sun, a backdrop of towering cacti, the twang of banjos and the beat of drums filling the air, and you, looking absolutely fabulous in your southwest festival attire. Festivals in the southwest today aren’t just about country music, the Wild West, or even your deep-seated love for Willie Nelson. They’ve become the hotbed for a unique style featuring, among other things, perhaps the most loved symbol of the southwest – the cowboy boots.

Let’s be clear – we’re not just talking any boots. We’re talking cowboy boots: resplendent with polished leather, bold colors, intricate stitchwork, and just the right amount of heel to give you a tall, confident stance. The modern cowboy boot can come in the classic tanned brown or black, but hey, adding some personality never hurts. So why not go for reds, blues, or even a sizzling fiery orange, because southwest festival style is all about standing out.

Let us doff our cowboy hats to this iconic footwear. They’re not just perfect for line dancing or navigating a dusty trail; they’re also great for stepping onto a fashion runway or heading to a music festival.

“”8, for an advance from Corinth and the concentration of his forces at Mickey’s, eight miles southwest of Pittsburg Landing.””

~ Samuel H. Fletcher, et al, Company A, Second Illinois Cavalry

Think a floaty, fringed kimono, cut-off shorts, and your pretty dusty rose cowboy boots. Perfect!

And who could forget the accessories, those tantalizing trinkets that can make or break an outfit? For the unaware, southwest festival style is all about embracing the bold and the beautiful.

Statement belts are in vogue. The bigger, the better – we’re talking chunky buckles featuring intricate designs or even ones studded with turquoise. They can transform a simple pair of high-waisted jeans into a festival-ready ensemble.

Southwest style gives a big nod to native cultures with vibrant, hand-beaded jewelry. Choose initial pieces like squash blossom necklaces, majestic turquoise rings, or beaded bracelets to give your outfit a pop of color.

When you hear the phrase “life is a fiesta,” well, the southwest festival style embodies that – and more! It is a beautiful marriage of tradition and modernity, a blend of country and city, a mix of the rugged and the sleek.

So, saddle up, folks! Don a pair of funky cowboy boots and throw in those vibrant accessories. At the Southwest festivals, you’re not just celebrating music and cultures; you’re celebrating the unique fashion style that embodies the spirit of this region. It’s a fu-oot kickin’, belt buckle twinklin’, turquoise shin-diggle worthy style that has cowboy boots tappin’ and fashion hearts racing.

Here’s to the wild, the free, and to the gorgeously unorthodox Southwest festival style! Let’s fashionably ride off into the sunset. Giddy up!

Learn More Here: Southwest Festival Style: Cowboy Boots And Accessories Trends