Horse Girl Aesthetic Trend Explained: 8 Equestrian-Chic Fashion Trends

Hodakova’s literal interpretation of the trend saw designs from the label’s fall 2024 presentation — including handbags, shoes and dresses — covered in black prize ribbons. Sandy Liang’s Pony Pin, meanwhile, features a floral pin with long tassels, an obvious play on the equestrian award.

Finally, Anderson took inspiration from horseback riding and athletic trophies for his fall 2024 collection, designing “wrestling belts festooned with fabric flowers and extra-long first-prize ribbons dangling like the tentacles of a jellyfish,” per WWD’s Miles Socha.

Leather Gloves

Many equestrians wear riding gloves to give them a better grip on the reins. For fall, labels such as Miu Miu and Versace debuted short leather gloves, while celebrities like Rihanna, Selena Gomez and Chloë Sevigny have sported them in varying lengths this year, ranging from half palm to elbow-length styles.

Riding Boots

Riding boots reign supreme this season thanks in part to labels like Prada, Dior and Loro Piana, who all released knee-high styles as part of their fall 2024 collections. Creative director Sabato De Sarno channeled Gucci’s house codes into his riding boot designs, creating burgundy and olive silhouettes adorned with the label’s trademark horse bit hardware and pull tabs in the form of Gucci’s signature striped ribbon.

In September, Kacey Musgraves — country singer and self-proclaimed horse girl — collaborated with Reformation on an equestrian-inspired capsule that features a similar, yet more affordable variation of this trending footwear: the Franklin Knee Boot.

Denim on Denim

The Canadian Tuxedo originated with Bing Crosby, the famed singer, rancher and horse breeder who was notoriously turned away from a Vancouver hotel for wearing a double denim ensemble. Following the fiasco, Levi’s presented Crosby with a custom denim tuxedo jacket, which he paired with their signature 501s.

Today, the denim-on-denim look isn’t necessarily associated with Western wear, though denim’s history as a utilitarian textile worn by miners, sailors and farmers certainly lends itself to the cowboy aesthetic.

Labels including Louis Vuitton and Schiaparelli debuted double denim looks during their fall 2024 fashion shows. Pharrell Williams’ Vuitton outfit is undeniably Western-coded, complete with a rodeo shirt and flared jeans and topped off with a bolo tie. Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli took the Canadian Tuxedo label more literally, designing a blazer with matching jeans and a braided hair tie, which could easily pass for a horse’s tail.

In 2024, celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Blake Lively and Katy Perry, among others, have also partaken in the double denim fad.

Fitted Blazers

Following an uptick in oversize blazers, fitted styles have also emerged as a trending silhouette. Akin to riding jackets worn for showjumping or dressage, cinched-waist blazers were all over the fall 2024 runways, from The Row to Versace to Givenchy.

Supermodel and equestrian Kendall Jenner tried out the fitted blazer trend in Paris as recently as September, wearing a vintage Alaïa piece from 1988.

Fringe

Fringe has existed for centuries, but it was the Native Americans who popularized it in the U.S., with several tribes relying on fringe clothing, made from leather, to repel rainwater. The style was appropriated by cowboys and later on, hippies, who frequently wore suede fringe jackets, handbags or moccasins. Today, fringe still appears on Western equestrian wear, typically adorning chaps and rodeo shirts.

Labels like Chloé, Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant sent fringe down the runway during their fall 2024 presentations, dabbling in multiple mediums including outerwear and accessories. Alessandro Michele, who debuted his first collection for Valentino in June, designed a new suede fringe handbag for the label’s resort 2025 line called the Nellcôte — seen on Bella Hadid in November.

Barn Jackets

Perhaps the most coveted item of fall 2024 is the barn jacket, also known as the chore coat. Invented in 19th century France, it was originally worn by farmers and railroad workers while performing outdoor work. Typically made of cotton drill or canvas, the barn jacket eventually made its way to the U.S. in the early 20th century, when Carhartt released their Chore Coat in 1917. L.L. Bean quickly followed suit, launching the Field Coat in 1924, later renamed the Adirondack Barn Jacket.

The British label Barbour debuted its Bedale chore coat in 1980. Designed by Dame Margaret Barbour as an equestrian jacket, its waxed cotton shell holds up in wind and rain, while a two-way ring-pull zipper allows riders to fasten the jacket with gloves on.

Barn jackets are also a popular item among British royals including Queen Elizabeth II, who was a skilled equestrian. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales has multiple Barbour coats in her wardrobe.

This year’s barn jacket obsession thanks in part to Prada, who presented distressed canvas outerwear during their spring 2024 fashion show. In recent months, stars such as Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber and Alexa Chung have modeled chore coats, while brands including Everlane and Dairy Boy have introduced updated takes on the outdoorsy staple.

Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots never went out of style, but they’ve seen a major boost this year as Bella Hadid has taken up barrel racing and cutting thanks to her new boyfriend, professional equestrian Adan Banuelos. The supermodel has been spotted in cowboy boots throughout 2024, as have her friends Emily Ratajkowski and Dua Lipa.

On the runway, Louis Vuitton menswear and Elie Saab presented cowboy boots as part of their fall 2024 collections, with Pharrell Williams designing Vuitton’s new Rider silhouette and Saab upgrading the Western footwear with a chunky high heel.