| The July issue of SHAPE magazine featuring | | | | fashion has been characterized as Cowgirl BLING. |
| LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, and Julianne Hough | | | | Bright, exciting, sparkling, and dazzling is the |
| is a glaring example of how the image of cowgirls | | | | theme. Yes, the word "Bling" has many country |
| and country music continues to change. To see | | | | and western traditionalists in an uproar as well, but |
| the front cover picture of these beautiful Country | | | | you can't deny the popularity of it. |
| Music stars. These three country music icons look | | | | Then there is my favorite part of western |
| absolutely stunning in their bikinis and prove there | | | | fashion I love to write about, which is western |
| is always more to the western lifestyle than | | | | jewelry. The changes in women's western dress |
| meets the eye. I am sure this cover has raised | | | | have enabled jewelry fashion to become even |
| some eyebrows from those "traditionalists" of | | | | more prominent. Once again, with the transition to |
| country music and western fashion. But you can't | | | | tanks and strapped blouses, western jewelry is |
| deny that changes continue to bring more | | | | taking the center stage of making your |
| attention to country music and the country life in | | | | statement. Things like chunky necklaces of |
| general. More people than ever before are | | | | turquoise and coral are extremely popular and |
| adopting the country lifestyle and western fashion. | | | | look absolutely exciting. Even traditional southwest |
| The spring issue of American Cowboy magazine | | | | sterling silver and turquoise combinations are |
| highlights this phenomenon as well. There is a | | | | finding their way into more mainstream styles of |
| great spring fashion article. You will notice many | | | | fashion. They are not just for blue jeans and |
| of the subtle changes that are happening to | | | | cowgirl hats anymore. They are even finding their |
| women's western fashions. Tanks and strapped | | | | way onto the runways in New York! |
| blouses are replacing traditional western shirts. | | | | So what is driving all this change? Perhaps it's our |
| Softer colors are in. Even the styles of denim | | | | zest to return to the great American western |
| jeans are more modern. It's not the standard | | | | lifestyle and its simplicity. Maybe more people are |
| Wranglers anymore. Western cowgirl boots | | | | tired of the endless parades of fashions that don't |
| continue to become more fashionable and colorful | | | | last. American western fashion has been around |
| as well. Justin boots launched a brand of boots | | | | for centuries. It could be where we started this |
| just for women last year called the Gypsy | | | | article, as country music evolves and becomes |
| collection. You can also pick up copies of | | | | more main stream popular, so does western |
| magazines like "Cowboys and Indians" and | | | | fashion. Whatever it is driving these changes and |
| "Western Horseman" to see numerous pages of | | | | the popularity, this author loves it! Not just |
| these new styles. Wild designs and colors of | | | | because my business revolves around the |
| boots, purses and clothes abound. Its no wonder | | | | western lifestyle, but because these changes are |
| more women are embracing the western fashion | | | | so AMERICAN! God Bless America. |
| craze. The other explosion in women's western | | | | |