Daylight savings has just begun, which means spring and summer are just around the corner. Whether you’re traveling for spring break or playing dress up to manifest a vacation, there’s a new style trend to add to your Pinterest board: the coastal cowgirl aesthetic.
“Coastal” might ring a bell. Remember the New England-esque looks that took over the For You Page last summer? It’s been a year and the knits, linens, and cool tones of the coastal grandmother aesthetic are back, but with a twist. Coastal cowgirl, also called coastal cowboy, is the coastal grandmother who gave up her rich, country club ways for a simple life on the southern coast.
With every aesthetic, there’s a creator that’s the blueprint. Matilda Djerf paved the way for coastal grandmother, Margot Robbie propelled Barbiecore, and now Paige Lorenze is fashion inspo for the new coastal cowgirl. She made being a horse girl trendy with her chic cowgirl hats and dreamy neutrals. Users are crediting her for causing a “cultural reset” in fashion.
The #coastalcowboy tag has racked up over 17 million views and #coastalcowgirl over 13 million, with users claiming it’s the trend of the spring season. To sum up the aesthetic, think light-wash denims, light knits, flowy dresses, neutrals, and of course, cowboy boots. The coastal cowboy has been deemed as more than a fashion style, however; it’s a lifestyle. It’s about enjoying the simple gifts of life, from riding horses under the sun to running in a field with a dress on. It’s minimalist country and I’m here for it.
The effortless vibes of the aesthetic have bled into interior design as well. The trend originally started gaining popularity in August 2022 as a way to style houses. TikTokers were showing off the neutrals, light blues, and rattan accents of the aesthetic home design. Now, the decor trend is back and has clothes to go with it.
With the constant come and go of trends, it might be challenging to adapt to the ever-changing environment of fashion. However, the simplicity and minimalism of the coastal cowgirl aesthetic allow for the integration of pieces that you might already have in your closet. Even if they aren’t, the neutral tones and versatility of the trend help build a capsule wardrobe for other fashion styles that might come around.
If you’re itching to escape to a small town and live out your best coastal life or simply want an effortless wardrobe for spring, here are nine ways to get started on the coastal cowgirl closet of your dreams.
- Cowboy boots
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This aesthetic wouldn’t be complete without a pair of cowboy boots. Boots are the main accessory that can be paired with any coastal cowgirl outfit from dresses to jean shorts. You better get them now, so you can break them in in time for when you want to ride your horse off into the sunset. These light brown cowboy boots from DSW are the perfect wash to pair with all the colors of the aesthetic, from the beautiful creams to the stunning light blues.
- Denim skirts
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I never thought denim skirts would be in again, but here we are. To top it off, this trend even calls for long denim skirts. Somehow pairing a long denim skirt with a knit vest is incredibly chic, and I love it. If you’re not feeling the long skirt, a short denim one is just as good. The beauty of the coastal cowgirl aesthetic is that it’s effortless, and same goes with denim skirts. You can dress up a denim skirt for dinner with friends or dress it down to run errands. This Pacsun denim skirt is the perfect shade of blue with a little slit to show some leg.
- Flowy dresses
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The coastal cowgirl aesthetic embodies the “Ceilings” TikTok trend where you run like you’re in a movie. This freeing feeling should be accessorized with a flowy dress that gives modern day coastal princess energy. Put on your cowboy boots and this Lulus navy blue sundress and get ready to run all day in a field of flowers.
- Vest (denim or knit)
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Vests are like the cool uncle of fashion. They seem impractical, but they bring an edge to any outfit. I mean, take some notes from Hollywood it girls like Stassie Baby, who threw a whole vest-themed party. The coastal cowgirl vest can be denim or knit. It can be layered or worn on its own. It elevates any outfit with a ’70s retro flare. As coastal cowgirl lends itself to the merging of other trends, use that ’70s flare to channel your inner Daisy Jones & The Six. This Amazon crochet vest can be worn over a swimsuit for a day at the beach or over a bralette for a night out look.
- Cowboy hat
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When you’re under the sun this spring break, you’ll need something to shield your eyes, but also be the perfect accessory for Instagram photos. That is what cowboy hats are here for. Cowboy hats give off free-spirited energy, but are surprisingly casually chic. They can be paired with a flowy dress when you want to dance under the moonlight or paired with a simple white tank and denim shorts for running around town. This simple cowboy hat with a hint of blue from Amazon is the cherry on top to any laid-back outfit when you’re channeling your inner coastal cowgirl.
- Overalls
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One thing about me is I’m going to wear overalls. Who wouldn’t want a pair to just throw on when you’re in a rush or want to pretend you’re Miley Stewart in the Hannah Montana movie? OK, maybe that was too niche, but the effect still stands. Overalls are easy to style, as they’re just one piece but make an entire outfit on their own. They can be layered over swimsuits or a basic white tee. They encapsulate the simple life of the coastal cowgirl. These corduroy overalls from Princess Polly are an elevated, adorable take on the usual denim overalls.
- Knit sweaters
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The coastal wardrobe wouldn’t be what it is without neutral knits. Knits give off comfortable vibes yet have an unspoken beauty about them. Knit sweaters in particular are both polished and casual. Depending on the occasion, they can be dressed up or down. Neutral knit sweaters epitomize the sandy beaches the coastal cowgirl lives on. This Forever 21 off-the-shoulder knit sweater brings a more luxe look to the casual knit sweater for when you want to go to your local dive bar for a girls’ night out.
- Loose fit denim shorts
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If you haven’t caught on by now, coastal cowgirl is all about the denim. It’s like the modern day aesthetic of a Canadian tuxedo. Loose fit denim shorts are a must-have to build your coastal wardrobe. They can be worn for nearly every springtime event, from riding horses to days by the pool. Opt for a more loose fit because as we know, coastal cowgirls are always on the run. Also, they just look stellar with some cowboy boots. These Princess Polly mid-length denim shorts are the perfect ones to pair with a simple white tank, cowboy hat, and boots.
- Linen button-ups
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When in doubt, choose linens. The coastal cowgirl aesthetic is all about clothes that are breezy and light to be worn in the hot weather. Linen button-ups are comfy and airy, but can also be layered to create varying outfits. For instance, you can wear a pinstriped one under a knit sweater vest with denim shorts for a picnic in the field. Linen button-ups can also be worn on their own as swimsuit coverups or a casual brunch top. This orange striped linen button-up from Forever 21 gives off the happy vibes of spring and lowkey resembles an orange creamsicle, which is the it girl of spring and summertime desserts, if you ask me.