How to Dress Like a Texan

How do you dress like a Texan? It’s most likely that if you were to ask a foreigner to describe a modern Texan, their description would be far from modern – think a Hollywood movie-esque cowboy complete with the bolo tie, spurs, large hats, and boots.

We Texans no longer resemble the outlaws of our past, but it would be wrong to think these foreigners are completely off the mark when it comes to the Texas look. Walk through any university on game day, and you will find a plethora of cowboy hats and boots along with denim and lace.

Modern Texas fashion isn’t just toned-down western wear. Southern and Latin influences play a large part in what makes our style unique. Just like every other style, ours is impacted by centuries of culture and innovation that have crafted the iconic look people reference today, even if that look is a little exaggerated at times.

Let’s take a ride through some of our most iconic items, old and new, and how they’ve changed throughout time and learn how to dress like a Texan!

Cowboy Boots

Riding boots have existed for millennia all across the globe, but classic “Cowboy Boots” were developed right here in the New World. They were inspired by the vaquero-style boot from Spain and arose from cattle drivers’ need for slimmer boots with higher heels and sturdier insteps.

Ranching, and subsequently cattle driving, were huge in Texas, and while the trade of chasing cows slowly faded away in ley of barbed wire fences, the boots stayed in the Texas fashion zeitgeist.

Walk around Dallas or Austin and you will find a lew of people wearing cowboy boots even when they have no practical use for them. The reason? Cowboy boots are versatile – they go with almost any outfit, fancy or not.

Boots with bright colors and elaborate trimmings can act as a statement piece when accompanied with a simple white dress, while your more classic brown can put together a button-up and jeans for a more casual fit.

The cowboy boot has recently garnered a major boost in popularity. Texas native Beyonce has created a national boot trend with her Cowboy Carter tour, and Texan boots have recently made a big wave in Paris. Western fashion isn’t just for the West anymore; it now has worldwide appeal. You can’t dress like a Texan without a pair of cowboy boots!

Cowboy Hats

The cowboy hat isn’t as common as the cowboy boot, but you still see it semi-regularly worn by Lone Star State residents. Cowboy hats are more popular among men when it comes to day-to-day use, as seen on politicians and celebrities like Greg Abbot, Glen Powell, or Matthew McConaughey. They are often worn as a symbol of state pride and identity.

The cowboy hat came from the first cowboys on the American continent, the Mexican vaqueros. The wide brim protected the vaqueros’ faces from the hot sun while they worked, a design choice so popular it eventually spread to Anglo-cowboys working in the southern plains.

These hats were originally flat with a smooth, rounded crown. They eventually evolved to what they look like today, as the brim curved up to make room for a swinging lasso and the crown pinched in to allow for a better grip on the head.

If you want to wear a cowboy hat without looking like you just walked out of a costume shop, you must stick to the basics. That means jeans, a button-up, and boots. Do not wear a cowboy hat with sneakers. I’m not kidding.

Denim Maxi Skirts

The denim maxi skirt has been making headlines these past few years, especially in the South. Jeans are big everywhere, but in Texas, they aren’t just everywhere – they are everything. Your jumpsuit is denim, your dress is denim, your top is denim.. It wasn’t long before someone asked, Why shouldn’t your long skirt be as well?

Full-length denim skirts were prevalent among women in religions where they weren’t allowed to wear pants. They are modest and have a wide silhouette, making them the perfect casual garment for regular church-goers long before the recent bump in popularity.

These skirts are great for hot days and are delightfully simple, which means they can go with anything from a white lace tank to a matching jean top. Whatever garment you decide to pair with our jean maxi skirt, make sure to top it off with a sleek black or chunky brown belt.

The denim maxi isn’t just a Texas thing. Most people picture the hippies of the 1970s when thinking historically about these long garments. Nevertheless, you walk down the streets of South Congress, and I can assure you, a denim maxi will be present. It’s a chic southern trend that isn’t going away anytime soon.

Southern Dresses

Dallas is considered the fashion capital of the South, and it’s pretty obvious as to why. You go to any boutique in the DFW area, and you will find colorful dresses in light colors and brown booted leather heels – perfect for the contemporary southern belle.

Southern dresses are bright, colorful, and often adorned with a slight frill on the shoulder or the occasional lace. If you’re a Dallas or Austin socialite, this is the type of dress you wear to brunch or a light walk through town.

Neiman Marcus, which opened in Dallas in 1907, is the titular store for these types of dresses. Lilly Pulitzer is another big seller.

Femininity plays a huge role in what makes your southern dress so different from your northern one. Long flowy silhouettes and floral prints invoke a modern image of the debutant girl. These dresses aren’t trying to push social boundaries, but instead celebrate hospitality and tradition.

One important part of wearing a southern dress is to accessorize. Bigger is always better in Texas, so make sure to put on your biggest earrings and trade out those simple necklaces for something with impact.

Final Thoughts

We just took you through our all-in-one style guide and history lesson on some of the greatest pieces in modern Texas fashion. The mixture of cultural influences woven through our garments makes us one of the most stylish places in the nation.

It seems like everyone nowadays is looking to dress a little more Texan, even if you’re not from the state, but it’s important to recognize the history and common practices of some of the more iconic outfits. Plus, it’s cool to learn about why your clothes look the way they do!

From the iconic cowboy boot to the denim skirt, Texas has so many staples that are either unique to the state or commonly worn by its citizens. This is Texas fashion new and old, traditional and ever-evolving.