Magnificent 8 - Western Style

For this quarter's Magnificent 8 style challenge, the theme was Western style. I admit my wardrobe doesn't really have a lot of Western pieces, and I don't own any cowboy boots! I had to think hard to see what I had in my wardrobe that would work for this theme, and that I would feel comfortable wearing, as of course everything I share on the blog is an outfit I've worn in real life.

In the end I focused on some abstract pieces of western style. Ankle boots instead of cowboy boots for starters. While I could do double denim I don't have a pair of flared jeans, so double denim with Bermuda shorts it was! I added tan belts to both of these outfits (with mixed success) and my recent purchase, my mini Darren messenger bag worked as a tasselled crossbody, although it is a little more structured than I'd think of for a "Western style" bag!

What I wore:

Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
Necklace: Jeanswest Taryn turquoise tassel bead necklace
Tank: Cotton On 'eternity' tank in charcoal marle
Belt: embossed tan leather belt from my Mum's wardrobe

Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts
Shoes: Atmos&Here tan Lola leather ankle boots
Bracelets: the usual plus turquoise and silver bracelet stack
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff olive mini Darren

Why I wore it:

Big thank you to my Mum for helping me complete this look! When I thought about trying double denim with a big belt with a statement buckle for this challenge I realised I didn't actually own a belt with a statement buckle. My mum had this thick tan leather one that perfectly matched my tan ankle boots though, so that was a winner. And as she doesn't wear it much any more, I got to keep it! Very pleased to add it to my wardrobe.

I think this outfit is a little more "slight Western vibe" than a true Western style but I liked how the pieces came together with the plain tank, double denim, and turquoise necklace. I'd considered turquoise earrings too but I figured my everyday studs would be better for a day that had over 5 hours of meetings that I'd need to wear my headset for. Luckily, while I was at my parent's place all day working on my laptop, mum took the kids out to enjoy the school holidays down the coast, so they had a lot of fun while I was in endless meetings.


Last worn: denim jacket, grey tank, turquoise tassel necklace, Bermuda denim shorts, tan ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini Darren bag.

Other ways to wear: denim jacket worn 30 ways, grey tank and printed shorts, Bermuda denim shorts and kimono, tan ankle boots and dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini Darren bag and navy stripes.

Perfect for pregnancy: denim jacket in second trimester, grey tank in third trimester.

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Reveal: Rebecca Minkoff Darren From The Real Real

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What I wore:

Dress: Kmart long sleeve black tie neck dress in floral wisteria print (new purchase)
Belt: tan belt that came with an old dress
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff olive mini Darren

Why I wore it:

Another outfit that doesn't really scream "Western", but has little nods to the theme in it. I really love this dress, but the day and outfit didn't at all go according to plan! I'd stumbled across this $25 long sleeve black floral print dress in Kmart, reduced to $2, and just had to buy it. I had a night out planned with a friend so I figured this would be a good outfit to wear. And because it would be a little chilly by the water at night, I had picked out my black ankle boots to wear with it.

Unfortunately, my son fell sick the night before so the night out was cancelled, and instead I spend the morning shopping for a few essentials to help him feel better. I figured I'd wear the pretty dress anyway, even if I wasn't going anywhere exciting.

This belt was the part of the outfit that didn't really go to plan. I figured it might make the dress work for a Western theme, although the belt isn't the big statement buckle wide belt I would have wanted, it was the best I could find in my wardrobe! Being pleather and having sat unworn in my wardrobe for a few years, it was flaking a little. I thought that with the relaxed fit of the dress, the extra fabric bunched over the belt would hide the flaking parts where you could see the white fabric underneath. The photos prove that wasn't quite the case, and I was a little confused when I looked down at my dress when getting into the car to drive home and realised that it was covered in little pleather belt flakes. It looked really bad! The belt went in the bin as soon as I got home!

Despite it not really meeting the theme, the day and the belt not going to plan, I was able to get some treats at the grocery store to cheer up my son and soften the blow of having to cancel my night out and his playdates over the next couple days. And thankfully fully recovered quickly!

Last worn: tan belt, black ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini Darren bag (above). First time I've worn the dress as it was a recent purchase.

Other ways to wear: black ankle boots worn 30 ways, Rebecca Minkoff mini Darren bag and jeans.

Perfect for pregnancy: black ankle boots in second trimester.

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How You Can Wear It:

When you have a challenging theme to dress for, try thinking outside the box! You might not have the perfect pieces for a head to toe Western outfit, but you can try some western inspired accessories.

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The Magnificent 8

The Magnificent 8 is a collaboration of 8 stylish women, ranging in age from early 20’s to early 80’s. The mission of this collaboration is to showcase how ageless style is. There are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence. And be sure to check out all 7 of these other amazing ladies at the links below.

• Grace of Graceful Rags
• Mica of Away from the Blue
• Roxanne of Glass of Glam
• Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
• Rena of Fine Whatever
• Eugenia of Age of Grace 
• Lesley of Jodie’s Touch of Style 
• Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style

Every quarter, the group chooses a theme and each create an outfit that suits our own personal tastes and fashion choices. We post them on the last Wednesday of every third month. Check out everyone’s posts with the links above for style inspiration at any age as they show you their much more themed Western outfits! Yee haw!

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