Does anyone remember when “La Vaca” by Mala Fe, which translates to “the cow,” was trending? A pretty funny, but very catchy song that helps understand where the word Vaquero comes from. The original Cowboys, Vaqueros were cattle (cow) herders from Mexico, including the parts of the U.S. that used to be Mexico, such as Texas. Mostly they were mestizos who worked on ranches and farms for Spanish landowners.
What’s labeled as “Western” or “Cowboy” aesthetic has been currently trending and I thought it’d be fun to look at the more popular fashion trends and trace their origins to Vaqueros and even beyond that.
1. Cowgirl and Cowboy boots
This is definitely my favorite trend on this list, as I completely understand the hype. A cowgirl boot perfectly compliments a dress, a pair of flared jeans, or even work attire. My dad bought a pair of work boots (he’s an electrician), from a cowboy boot company Ariat. Apart from being more comfortable than his previous workboots, he said, “…they look nice with jeans,” and I have to agree.
A cowboy boot is defined in the Miriam Webster Dictionary as “a boot made with a high arch, a Cuban heel, and usually fancy stitching,” defining the boots Vaqueros wore for structure and stability while riding horses and roping cattle. Vaqueros who would perform their skills in charrerías competitions, are usually called Charros, and for these competitions the functional work wear evolved into decorative fashion statements of pride.
Vaqueros and Charros are fairly similar in that both are Mexican countrymen who’d work on ranches with horses, cattle, and ropes. Charros were typically landowners, and Vaqueros typically did most of the labor. However, in the present day the difference lies in whether or not the person participates in charrerías.
The boots worn in these competitions are much more decorative, creating art out of each pair with fancy stitching, embroidery and additional embellishments — which is what’s trending currently, and I honestly have the perfect dress to compliment them with.
2. Fringe
Personally, I’ve never owned anything with fringe, but I can see the appeal of something so fun and expressive. Especially the iconic roaring 20s dresses!
I knew beforehand that fringe was worn by Native Americans, but I didn’t know it was for sustainability along with decorative purposes. Fringe is traditionally made from leather, and because it’s so time consuming and difficult to work with, rather than removing excess from the seams of clothing, it was kept on and trimmed as fringe to avoid its waste. The Indigenous and Vaqueros alike also used fringe clothing in rainy weather. It allowed the rain water to run down and away from the person wearing the clothing item, keeping Vaqueros drier and warmer than without. It quickly became a fashion statement, and extremely common for Vaqueros even in the absence of rain.
Like most things, Anglo settlers adopted this into what is now known as the Cowboy. The roaring 20s adopted and made fringe with beads and different materials. The boho ’60s took the reins for a while, going back to leather and thicker materials. It’s beautiful how much fashion is recycled and made anew, adapted and updated.
This year, while I rummage through thrift stores, I know what I’ll be on the look out for. Something cute, something loved, something fringed.
3. Decorative Belts
I’ve been seeing, and equally wanting, big and decorative belts all over my social media. It might just be my algorithm, or how unique and cute they look with everyone’s outfits, but I seriously need one. These belts immediately make me think of cowboys, and my cousins who don on the boots, the hats, and the belts of Vaqueros.
However, Vaqueros and the Anglo Cowboy didn’t start wearing these decorative statement pieces until much later. They were popularized by Hollywood in old westerner cowboy films. Once this started, Cowboys and Vaqueros alike took inspiration. In charrerías and bull riding culture, big and intricate belt buckets became an expressive personal statement for competitors. Showing off their pride and looking really good with any trophies or plaques won.
Depop, Poshmark, my local Savers, I’m going in with a mission.
It’s fun seeing how Cowboy culture is just a mix, an adoption, of Indigenous, Mexican, and Spanish culture. Whether it’s belt buckles or really cute cowgirl boots, fashion has always been recycled and reused, but it’s important to know where from.