This blog has often talked about handbags, especially in regards to western fashion. But, with such handbag trends as fringe on suede bags, concho-like studs, and snakeskin, what is western fashion? Often, western fashion is associated with cowboy fashion and, in the present, this includes clothing worn to a rodeo. While rodeos are still done in parts of the south and western United States, these clothes are appropriate for the occasion, whether you’re an audience member or someone riding a horse in the rodeo show.

The quintessential piece of western clothing is a western shirt. A western shirt is characterized as having a yoke in the front and back of the shirt, and this yoke is often stylized with embroidery on front and back parts. Aside from this characteristic, the pockets of a western shirt are described as looking like folded bandanas and the “buttons” of the shirt are typically snaps. A similar common piece of western clothing is a cowboy hat. For a rodeo, a cowboy hat – also referred to as a ten-gallon hat – is made of felt or faux felt, although for other occasions this style of hat can be made with leather or woven straw.

Generally, a western shirt and cowboy hat are paired with jeans, but, more specifically for rodeo wear, a pair of leather chaps is put on top of the pants. Although chaps are associated with rodeo wear, they have practical purposes, as well, and this includes protecting the legs from getting chafed while the wearer is riding a horse.

Aside from clothing, one aspect of western fashion that seems to have crossed over into mainstream fashion is western jewelry. Typically western jewelry consists of silver and western stones, such as turquoise, onyx, or crystal, in a number of combinations featuring the stone. While western jewelry embellishes western wear, the jewelry style can be found everywhere.

Within the past few weeks, we have done a few posts about western-inspired handbag styles. Often, the world “western” with any type of clothing or accessory makes other think of cowboy and cowgirl fashions: western show shirts, cowboy boots, and ten-gallon hats. But with many trendy handbag styles seen on A-list celebrities, western style seems to be creeping in slightly, accenting handbag styles in subtle – and sometimes not-so-subtle ways. In the case of a recent handbag spotted on Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, the western fashion – studs, in this case – over powered the entire body of a large black leather handbag. Without the obscene amount of studs on this bag, it would simply be another oversized leather slouch purse. With the additional studs, it becomes a potential weapon if Meester whacks some passerby or paparazzi with it.

In terms of western fashion, this handbag takes it to the extreme. In previous posts, we have seen such western fashion-influenced handbags as snakeskin and alligator designs in natural colors and dyed unnatural colors like purple or blue. Aside from animal skin, other western influenced styles have been the addition of fringe to many leather or suede handbags and various studs. Studs, such as those seen on Meester’s handbag, are usually smaller and line only on edge or a section of the purse — not over the entire bag. In some cases, as western fashion is sometimes combined with bling, particularly smaller rhinestones, some western fashions go well with other pieces of metal or bling jewelry. For this handbag, however, the studs used – both on the silver one Meester’s holding and the black one in the picture – are nearly the size of conchos. While a concho here or there on a purse, hatband, or bolo tie is a slight silver addition to the outfit, too many is simply overpowering and excessive.

We’ve seen slouch handbags, crocodile and snake skin prints, and silver studs on many handbags carried by celebrities this year so far, so who is to say that western styles aren’t in? Often, western style is thought of as silver jewelry with western stones like onyx, crystal, or turquoise or rodeo gear, like western shirts, cowboy boots, and chaps, and this is partially right. In terms of western style applied to mainstream fashion, it’s often the latter that becomes popular. But, if you’ve ever walked into a western clothing store, have you seen snake skin or alligator skin boots? In a sense, the materials associated with the top echelon of western fashion are being applied to handbags, as well as jewelry like embellishments of silver and western stones.

Both snake skin and crocodile skin, even printed on leather, are in this season. Whether you prefer natural scale colors or a snake skin bag dyed purple or blue, all options are available for a western type handbag. Real snake skin handbags are available through upscale designers and retailers, while snake skin patterned bags, made from leather or an imitation material, are available through designer replica retailers like Best Handbag Wholesale.

Western style doesn’t only extend to snake skin. Another popular trend this year has been studs. While silver studs may tend to be more punk than western, how the studs – and the type of studs – are used makes a bag seem more western. Handbags across high end brands, designer replica, and affordable brands incorporate silver studs, western stones like crystal or turquoise, or rhinestones into their styles. Some of these studs may be as large as silver conchos. In addition, some suede or leather handbags, such as this black handbag seen on Micha Barton have western style fringe trailing from the ends or top flap of the purse.