After 5 Days in Aspen, I'm Officially Hooked on Western Pieces—5 I'm Loving RN

kemo sabe

pictured: custom Kemo Sabe hat

(Image credit: @gracejoshua13)

Ever since season 12, episode 18 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills aired on Bravo, I added Kemo Sabe in Aspen to my must-visit list. Not only is Kemo Sabe home to all things luxury Western wear and loved by the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but every winter, it's also greeted by a laundry list of celebrities wanting to get their hands on its famous cowboy hats, boots, custom belts or more. So far, this season Kemo Sabe has seen the likes of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, The Kardashians, Orlando Bloom, and on a much more underwhelming note, me. Yep, my manifestation came to fruition this year and I got to visit Kemo Sabe’s flagship location in Aspen recently. It currently has locations in Jackson Hole, Vail, Park City, and Round Top as well, but there is something special about its Aspen location.

When you walk in, you are greeted by a wall of some of the most beautiful cowboy hats and boots ever. People are branding and customizing their hats in a booth to your left and there are steps up to the famous Kemo Sabe bar to the right. I was obsessed. I ended up spending hours in its location after getting my custom hat enjoying cocktails with the staff and hearing stories about all of the A-listers who also can’t get enough of Kemo Sabe. Visiting Kemo Sabe Aspen plus just being in the mountain town, in general, has reignited my love for all things Western wear. (That and Beyoncé’s new country album that’s about to drop.)

These five trends make getting the look or adding a touch of Western aesthetic to your outfit that much easier. Keep scrolling to see which Aspen-inspired Western trends I’ll be wearing this spring and beyond.

Cowboy Hats

Kemo Sabe

(Image credit: @kemosabe1990)

While Kemo Sabe covers all corners of Western wear, it's known for its hats, and for good reason. Now that I have my very own Kemo Sabe cowboy hat, I have worn it everywhere—from my friend's birthday party at a wine bar in Brooklyn to brunch. I know for most people, wearing a cowboy hat can be a little bit out of your comfort zone, but I’m seeing more and more people incorporating them into their more everyday looks, and I have to say that I love it. If you’re not ready to commit to a luxury hat like the ones at Kemo Sabe, don't worry—I’ve also listed some more affordable options down below.

Western Belts

western belt

(Image credit: @jourdansloane)

The quickest and easiest way to add a touch of the Western vibe to an outfit is by throwing on a belt. I saw plenty during my time in Aspen, and if you’re looking to invest in a Western belt and fully embrace the Cowboy vibe I highly recommend going to Kemo Sabe to pick out your custom belt band and buckle. Just add a silver belt to your favorite sweater and denim combo and you’re one step closer to being mistaken as a member of the Dutton family. 

Cowboy Boots

cowboy boots

(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

Fashion has a love/hate relationship with cowboy boots, and we are now in a “love” phase. I recommend styling them with your favorite basics to make the outfit feel a little more wearable. My cowboy boot collection keeps growing. I have to admit I’m a fan.

Fringe Accents

fringe

(Image credit: @emmaleger)

It doesn’t get more Western than a fringe moment. Normally when trying out a fringe piece, I would reach for a jacket, but I love fringe bags now, and even the Norma Kamali x Revolve fringe pants I’ve linked below. Plus the Michael Kors fringe dress Emma has on above is stunning. 

Denim Moments

double denim

(Image credit: @claire_most)

It doesn’t get more classic cowboy than a denim outfit. I love combining an all-denim look with one of the other Western trend items listed here like a hat or Western belt to take the look over the finish line. If you’re going for more of a coastal-cowgirl vibe, then look no further.

Assistant Editor

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor at Who What Wear, Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.