12 Ways I’m Wearing a Dress With Cowboy Boots This Summer

The Gist

• Summer is the perfect time to dust off your cowboy boots and prance around in your favorite dress.

• Cowboy boots may have country roots, but there are plenty of ways to style them that are more haute than hoedown.

• Ahead are 12 ways you can style your cowboy boots and dresses this summer.

My singular pair of cowboy boots has long-sustained my wardrobe throughout the seasons—despite their leather fabrication, they’re a breathable, comfortable shoe that I wear even throughout the summer. And as someone whose wardrobe consists of 50% dresses, I end up wearing a lot of them with cowboy boots because they’re the perfect pairing that makes me look and feel cool while beating the sweltering heat in New York City. 

My current favorite look features a textured midi shift dress from Glassworks London, which I pin up to create some asymmetry and movement before throwing on my staple Old Gringo Boots. The crinkly, billowy fabric of the dress contrasts with the detailed embroidery and studded structure of the boots for an outfit that infuses modern shapes with classic silhouettes.

Texas-based fashion designer Kendra Scott also swears by the outfit combo, calling it a “perfect mix of Western charm and effortless femininity.” Scott, who is launching her own Yellow Rose boot collection this fall, tells InStyle, “whether you lean romantic, modern, or somewhere in between, cowboy boots have this amazing way of grounding a look while still letting your personal style shine through.” She loves pairing her western boots with a bold-color silk midi dress for a flowy, sophisticated look.

But even if you’re not a midi dress fan, there’s dozens of other dresses that work with cowboy boots—from maxis to minis and A-line to peplum, the western shoe is ubiquitous for a reason, and it can seamlessly transition between different styles and aesthetics.

Ahead, find a dozen different outfits and all the inspiration you need to style dresses with cowboy boots for yourself.

With an A-Line Dress

An A-line dress is a failsafe option to style with cowboy boots because it’s a timeless design that’s easy to wear with different layers and accessories. Opt for a statement shoe, like these boots in a cherry red hue, to add a pop of color to the outfit, and a long jacket with a matching red collar helps tie in more of the accent shade. Top it off with a tonal bag and your favorite gold jewelry for a balanced look.

With a Below-The-Knee Dress

Try out your favorite cowboy boots with a dress that hits just below the knee. “A flowing dress paired with classic brown leather boots creates a look that feels bold yet easy—like you just threw it together,” adds Scott. Since this look doesn’t involve much accessorizing, you can customize it to your own aesthetic—some chunky jewelry and metallic sunglasses would make this look feel edgy, while beaded jewelry and a woven bag give it more of an earthy feel.

With a Brightly Colored Dress

Counterintuitively, a bright color dress can actually help your cowboy boots stand out in your ensemble—this vibrant, verdant hue creates a sharp contrast with the unique black and white pattern of the boots. Add some texture with a snakeskin topcoat, and silver jewelry helps add some shine to the bold outfit.

With a Metallic Mini Dress

With a taller set of western boots, a mini dress makes the perfect pairing—this crinkly green metallic number helps bring out the light grey embroidery against the black leather shoes. If you get chilly, throw a cozy knit over your shoulders, and grab a bag that highlights one of the colors in your sweater. Finish off the outfit with your favorite pair of sunnies and a few bangle bracelets.

With a Maxi Dress

Go for a maxi dress in a shift style with a slit to allow for easy movement and a peekaboo moment for the cowboy boots underneath. The burgundy hue ties into the red embroidery on the dress, and a matching bow necklace helps bring in more of the fun color. Fasten a striped sash in your hair to bring in more patterns and shapes to the basic ensemble, and add a pair of tonal sunglasses to round out the look.

With a High-Low Dress

Fringe is always a great choice to pair with cowboy boots to bring in more of the western influence, and this dress and vest combo balances heritage motifs with contemporary construction. By going with a duochrome color palette, it really allows all of the details–fringe included, as well as the boots’ beige embroidery and leather fabrication–to stand out and have their moment in the sun. The high-low style ensures that your shoe selection is on full display, and exudes a breezy sophistication.

With a Blazer Dress

For a corp-core-infused aesthetic, test out a mini blazer dress with cowboy boots. The subtle pinstripe pattern on the blazer adds the perfect textural touch, and along with pops of color like burgundy boots and a chartreuse handbag, the outfit feels sharp and powerful. A quality pair of deep red boots goes a long way, as the ruddy hue is super versatile, offering a country flair to more relaxed outfits, and a polished finish to more dramatic looks.

With a Silky Midi Dress

You can never go wrong with a silky midi dress and cowboy boots, according to Scott. “I love the contrast between the softness and movement of the fabric and the rugged edge of the boots—it creates such a cool, balanced vibe,” she explains to InStyle. A long duster jacket offers some structure to the flow of the dress, and a pair of high-shine, inky black cowboy boots pull the whole look together.

With a Cutout Mini Dress

Throw on your favorite going-out dress with tall cowboy boots the next time you’re getting dressed up for a night out—some cutouts edge up the style of the dress, and accessories like your favorite necklaces and earrings are all it needs to feel effortlessly chic. If you’re going for a fully monochrome look, add a matching-color clutch or mini handbag for a finishing touch.

With a Peplum Dress

This kaleidoscopic look might not be everyone’s style, but the poofy, peplum design of this above-the-knee dress gives the chromatic cowboy boots a playful, youthful feel. With the busy patterns and bright colors of this look, solid-color, simple accessories help ground the outfit and make it feel more thoughtful and considered.

With a Wrap Dress

This dreamy, cream-colored wrap dress with a black lace overlay creates a stark contrast against the hard, silver toe of the western-style boots. As someone who’s 5’0”, I typically avoid dresses that hit right at the knee, but the heeled style of these booties helps lift and elongate the whole silhouette. While the sunglasses chain is probably more for utility than fashion, it also infuses an edgy touch to the overall look.

With a Ruffled Dress

Scott recommends flowy silhouettes, like ruffles and wrap styles, to bring in some femininity alongside the traditionally sturdy, structured shoes. This tiered, ruffled number is perfectly flouncy and girly paired with the cowboy booties, and a bedazzled, patterned bag infuses a vernal spirit to this outfit.

Read the original article on InStyle