Defining 1970s Westernwear
I want to be a cowboy, but less ranch hand, more rock and roll. The 1970s flavor of Westernwear stands out as a prime example of this, but I’m having trouble identifying exactly what the differences are, and where my focuses should lie. The obvious ones seem to be flared pants, fringe, lots of polyester - hoping someone might be able to help me define the differences.
Additionally, I am wondering how to lean into a particular era like the 1970s without looking like a costume. Do I commit to it fully, or just elements here and there?
The look that comes to mind is something like Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, if he leaned more heavily into the Western stuff.
105 Replies
If you feel most like yourself in this style, then it's not a costume, no matter what you're wearing. If you are worried about being too 70s, you can mix in other styles. For example, while polyester be true to history, I think other materials will usually be better. It's more about the look than the material anyway. Rayon is a good replacement, and for something like flares they exist in cotton and lightweight wools (and also rayon)
I have yet to actually truly try this style but I’m hoping to
Personally speaking the easiest way to start leaning into this is a denim western shirt
you get the nice details of snap buttons, interesting front pocket shapes and the front and back yoke of the shirt
but ultimately it's still a denim shirt so not super out there
if you find you enjoy that you can start looking at other things such as cowboy cut jeans (wrangler 13mwz the classic), cowboy boots, turqoise jewellery, bolo ties, bandanas, even hats
I think the best thing if you can wear as many or as little of these things in an outfit as you wish
Yeah, I think I have a pretty solid understanding of the western look in general - I’m mostly curious as to what pieces are exclusive to a 70s look
To my mind 70s rockstar "western" stuff is often defined by not being denim/leather and coming in colours that aren't indigo or some version thereof, or not in Johnny Cash esque Black. More late era Elvis influences (bright colour, sequins, diamante etc).
y'know you're right I completely misread your question
Learn to read
Idiot
(Just kidding)
For example I think Needles do some contemporary pieces & styling that are very clearly heavily Western but also very heavily 70s rockstar/glam/disco.
Yeah that’s on the right track for sure
In my head it’s very plain I just don’t know how to describe it you know
Pretty sure Nudie jeans and Indigofera have some stuff recently that's similar to that era with piped shirts too
Is this a vibe that benefits from completely embracing or just sort of leaning into it
good inspo recommendations would be looking at some of the stuff that midland does and charley crockett
Man Charley Crockett a great shout, how did I forget him
Leaning
I’ve seen a lot of folks (not on here, in the real world) that are seeing the western trend, buying one thing that screams western to them and calling it a day
It doesn’t look intentional that way imo
for more rock inspo i'd recommend good morning keith (leans more 60s) and maybe celine by hedi slimane
would be worth comparing those to see where you'd personally draw the line between just 70s rock and the westernwear 70s rock you're interested in
Whoa Charley Crockett is super neat
I do not think I have the build to pull off anything Hedi LMAO
that goes for most people lol but id say it's still worth looking at the styling/details to see how he channels rock vibes
Cool
I’ll have to get some tame stuff for office wear
So it’ll be interesting to plan it out
what kind of dress code does your office have?
Business Casual
Sometimes I wear a blazer
Someone is getting a kiss
Lotta these dudes ain’t built like saplings either
Hedi specifically you may not be able to FIT but you can absolutely pull off the vibes
Yeah this is exactly what I had in mind
Outlaw country
Is the keyword here
Can you please elaborate
I grew up listening to all these guys/watching these movies and also just like…being around people exactly like this lmao
Outlaw country is a sub genre of music—Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, etc
It was directly in response to the glam side of the 70s, especially within country music
These guys were hard leftist, anti fascist, anti-cop, government hating psychos, and it fuckin ruled
Fuck yes
Sign me up
I love Waylon Jennings
This general vibe is where I get like 90 percent of my inspiration (music and fashion-wise)
random insp featuring fit battle monsters
some of these lean more 70s general fashion like the last two but i think they offer a similar vibe
I love all of this
How many cowboy hats do you own
I know you’re a real rootin tootin cowboy and I will not be wearing one daily per se
some other photos for your consideration
It seems like a trucker is fhe place to start
Or maybe some western shirts
5? I think
“i think” is doing some heavy lifting lol
Just different colors
Or materials and levels of fancincess too
as the owner of one cowboy hat, get a good felt in a neutral colour
will cover you for most things
I have two cowboy hats but I feel like they don’t fit super super well
where abouts are you based?
I’m not counting them in my hypothetical lineup
i.e Uk or US
I’m in the US
nice. makes your life easier. UK western wear is hard haha
you got some boots?
I used to have some Luccheses no longer RIP
youch. RIP
They never fit me super well and I was stupid and lazy taking care of exotic leather
I’m gonna pitch Dan Post for exotics or Ariat for all purpose/utility
Lucchese are nice but the entry price is tough to stomach for the really good models
I have a couple in my car LMAO
I travel over CA/AZ/NM/TX for work
So I have lots of exposure and options depending on where I am at any given time
i’d say boots are your number one thing, then some vintage bootcut jeans. personally for 70s I’d go slim stuff (take a look at my waywts), and i’d go wrangler (duh). hit up the thrifts around there for pearl snaps and a trucker
Boy, just stop somewhere and buy a pair of boots
I have option overload good sir
Vintage Levi’s 517s also v good
Orange tag
for some reason i was able to find wranglers so much easier over here lol. but yeah 517s rule
Given how the inspo shared has resonated with you, I actually stand by my original comment when I misread the question now
acc this reminds me i need a new western belt
There is a line somewhere I’m just trying to find it
I would say look for something in a similar pattern to a Lee 101 jacket
my hot take is that the levis trucker jacket sucks
I like the jackets that just come down to your torso
I don’t think I can find that easily
you can
plenty of people making copies of that jacket these days
i back this
easily found second hand in my experience
Lee 101, Lee 101J are solid places to start, you can find vintage versions or grab a japanese repro (sometimes these are referred to as a Westerner)
i want to say the wrangler 126mj could be a shout off the top off my head
My measurements are silly so I’ll have to get good friends with an alterationist or go MTM
This will probably get me crucified in the fashion world but
I travel a lot and sometimes EDC a backpack
This is one I’m thinking about for this sort of look
Way more dispersion I think
Could I do worse
Or is this pretty spot on
This is a good take
Armed?
Not normally
Just stuff
Then go with something leather I think
i’d imagine so, tbf i like wrangler best personally haha
thats the weird type 2 like one with the extra hip pockets?
Only reason I go techy with my bags n shit is cuz I CCW
yeah, used to have one till i ruined it
loved that jacket
Read this as “just tuff” and I was like damn that’s a fuckin badass line lmao
Lmao
good alternative if you want a short jacket that has some extra pockets
I’m usually in places where guns are not permitted
tbf they’re not incredibly functional pockets
but there better then none
@MysticBrisket denim stuff. First two are my Tom Ford jacket (very pricey, less so second hand) that I’ve had for actual ages. Cost per wear def worth it. Other jacket is the wrangler blanket lined. First pair of jeans are 1980s Levi’s 517s, second pair are Sugar Cane raw boot cut, 3rd pair are Mister Freedom
check out thrift stores in those states if you don't already. They must be a gold mine for this style
The ones I have been to
Suck
depop and ebay are blessings, there's a few dedicated vintage westernwear resellers on ig too
if you have a good dig on google too i’ll bet you will pass a good few vintage stores going through those states
honestly not that hard imo, depending on your workplace
denim shirt and/or pointy shoe tends to be the shorthand but you may want to feel out just how far you can go
I don’t wanna get too hung up on accessories at the moment but
I’m all about cohesive vibe
This is a simple leather wallet I’m looking at - think it can speak to a similar aesthetic
If you feel like adding a touch of tailoring for the 70s cowboy/cop vibe both Levi’s and wrangler used to make tweed blazers that look pretty cool to me ie https://www.ebay.com/itm/167182520268? look great with a denim shirt
eBay
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Honestly???
Sleazy Detective sounds so rad
I gotta come up with some lore
Sleazy Western inspiration from honestly one of the most well-dressed people in the server
If you ever get to interact with this guy, you should listen and learn
Who this
ME LMAO
We appear to have similar builds
Oh LMAO
how tall are you my guy
6’1 260
Oh I’m shorter
how has the Q&A worked for you so far? hopefully it’s been pretty constructive, had a lot of cool People pop through to drop some knowledge. Hopefully, it helped you out!
It absolutely has worked out very well for me
I have ideas and a solid place to start
:letsfuckinggo: :letsfuckinggo: :letsfuckinggo: :letsfuckinggo:
On the topic of footwear you can look at cowboy adjacent boots like Packer boots as well