The cool of the salty sea air and the Southern cowboy boots and hats meet in TikTok’s latest “core” microtrend: the coastal cowgirl. An aesthetic centered around cotton and linen, relaxed pieces of clothing, and a pinch of the effortless beach vibe, the coastal cowgirl has conquered its position as spring and summer’s latest fashion — and lifestyle — trend with its basic yet completely fresh appeal.
More than layers and shoes, though, the mindset of the coastal cowgirl relies on nature and a relaxed, upbeat vibe that feels just like the warmer days. And, to truly romanticize the season and truly dive into the aesthetic, choices beyond the wardrobe are a must to truly dive into the seaside persona. I’m talking about a niche coastal cowgirl playlist, of course.
With an increase of nearly 1,430% of user-generated coastal cowgirl playlists on Spotify from the end of March to the beginning of April, according to official Spotify data shared with Her Campus, it seems like capturing the essence of the movement in a playlist has been a popular demand. So, if you like the idea of being a coastal cowgirl or need some summer-y, acoustic and Americana tracks to add in your life, here are eight artists that are a perfect match for your coastal cowgirl playlist.
- Kacey Musgraves
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The classic country sounds and modern pop influences that make up Kacey Musgraves’ sound establish her as a must-listen artist if you plan on diving onto the coastal cowgirl aesthetic. With lyrics that delve into themes of love, self-discovery, and the rural living experience in America, Musgraves coins catchy tracks like “Butterflies” and “Slow Burn” that appeal to a wider audience than the typical country listeners.
- Leon Bridges
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Soul, jazz, and R&B all meet to create the sound of Leon Bridges. From upbeat, danceable songs to mellow and slow ballads, the American singer-songwriter is the perfect soundtrack for any mood. Paying homage to sounds of the past — like 1950s and ‘60s R&B — with a fresh twist and rich vocals, the artist manages to blend nostalgia with groove, especially on singles like “Texas Sun” and “River.”
- Daisy Jones & The Six
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Fictitious as it may be, there is no doubt that Daisy Jones & The Six should be a part of everyone’s tracklist for the summer. Infused with ‘70s references, grit, and energy, the rock and roll band also experiments with a folk-tinged and acoustic sound. Daisy (Riley Keough) and Billy (Sam Clafin)’s charged vocals, guitar riffs and bouncy bass all combine to create the wild, fun sounds like “Let Me Down Easy” and “Look At Us Now (Honeycomb),” which will conquer the coastal cowgirl vibe down to the core.
- Zach Bryan
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“Something in the Orange” singer Zach Bryan touches upon the Americana sound to convey his raw, acoustic discography. Whether to unwind or lay back and think about life, Bryan’s songs are recognized for their honest songwriting and lowkey instrumentals.
The Oklahoma artist is also known for works like “Burn, Burn, Burn” and “Heading South,” both essentials when leaning into the cowgirl part of the aesthetic.
- Fleetwood Mac
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Arms swinging in the wind, floral-patterned clothes, and sentiment sung from blues to folk and rock: Fleetwood Mac, one of the most iconic bands of the ‘70s, has it all to be in your beachy cowgirl playlist. Besides iconic, timeless hits like “Everywhere” and “Dreams,” the rock and roll group has a discography filled with genre-bending, lush harmonies, emotional instrumentals and complex lyrics. Choose your pick!
- Lana del Rey
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While Lana del Rey is more often known for her Sad Girl appeal, her dreamy, atmospheric sound can be the perfect reference for the laidback, coastal life — and I’m not only talking about “High By The Beach.”
Perfectly matched with the cinematic quality of her music, tracks like “West Coast” and “Carmen” bring forward everything from the sound of catching waves to the feeling of a lazy beach day.
- Dolly Parton
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Would it really be a coastal cowgirl playlist without “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” in the soundtrack?
Country music royalty Dolly Parton will definitely issue the spice you are looking for with the trending, easygoing aesthetic. With countless hits spanning an almost six-decade career, Parton has songs to match every mindset you might be considering: catchy, energetic, toe-tapping tunes down to heartfelt melodies and lyrics — and, of course, a lot of country charm.
- Jack Johnson
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Jack Johnson’s simple melodies, bare instrumentals and lightness all parallel the seaside essence you might be looking for with this aesthetic.
With songs like “Banana Pancakes” and “Better Together,” the Hawaiian singer-songwriter provides a laid-back, atmospheric sound to any playlist.