layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge

The Magnificent 8 with a Western Flair

October 26, 2022 / 26 Comments
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge

We are back with our quarterly collaboration of 8 magnificent ladies showcasing personal style that spans the generations. 

The Magnificent 8 is a collaboration among 8 style bloggers, each in a different age bracket, ranging from 20’s to 80’s. The mission of this collaboration is to show you just how ageless style is, how we can each dress however we’d like and in ways that make us feel fabulous. There are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence. 

Every quarter we choose a theme and we each create an outfit that suits our own personal tastes and fashion choices to illustrate just how ageless style is.

For October, we have collectively decided to feature outfits with a Western flair.

layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge

According to Vogue, Western-inspired fashion is a timelessly classic trend that galloped down the runways this fall season. They have listed 8 of the best Western-inspired trends to lasso into your wardrobe for an effortless cowgirl style…the cowboy boot, the denim shirt, rodeo-ready jeans, the prairie dress, the fringe jacket, the denim midi skirt, the Western belt, and of course, the cowboy hat.

You could combine any number of these 8 trends together to create a variety of different cowgirl styles from subtle to full on rodeo queen. My special love for all things Western began when I was very young. I can’t remember exactly how young but I also can’t remember a time when I didn’t have at least one pair of cowboy boots in my closet. Now I have about 10 pairs that are in frequent rotation. I find cowboy boots are the easiest way to give any outfit a Western flair. If you have a pair, you should give it a try. Put on any outfit in any style genre that you like and add a pair of Western boots and you have immediately transformed yourself into a cowgirl.

So when we chose out quarterly theme, I knew immediately that my outfit creation would start from the feet up. Sort of. I didn’t pick which pair of boots to wear until the rest of the outfit came together. I leaned heavily into the prairie dress idea by wearing two clashing print prairie dresses layered together. I had actually chosen the sheer floral top dress first but it needed a slip of some sort underneath so I opted for my brown leaf print slip dress.

I have a few cowgirl hats but I was afraid that adding too many Western trends into one look might end up looking like a costume instead of an actual outfit. But I definitely needed a hat so I went for a fall felt floppy hat instead. The black hat led me to reaching for this old floral print scarf to bring another item with some black in it. Conveniently, the scarf has fringed edges adding another Western element to this look but in a more subtle fashion. It was chilly enough to need an extra top layer as well so I reached for my favorite thrifted ruana, that also has some fringe. Then I layered on piles of necklaces and bracelets and wore a pair of my favorite leather earrings.

The final thing to do was to choose which cowgirl boots to wear. I have two pairs in different shades of brown that I tried first but I ended up really liking my red ones with this outfit so I went with those. And can I tell you, I felt freaking fabulous in this outfit. I guess I look pretty decent, too, because I was stopped by at least 5 different people throughout the day who complimented my outfit. That certainly will make any cowgirl feel special!

layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge
layered dresses, thrifted style, cowgirl boots, The Magnificent 8, Shelbee on the Edge

I ended up wearing this look to a psychic fair a few weeks ago. Now that I am a certified Reiki II practitioner, I really wanted to check out what all the other healers had to offer. I ended up having an animal tarot card reading done and while I don’t really understand tarot card readings, what I took from this experience is that the magic is not in the reading itself. The magic actually happens in our interpretations of the message delivered.

Let me explain these three cards first and what they mean. The bee is a lifelong worker which indicates that I never give myself a break. Although I think I give myself lots of breaks, I never really relax and enjoy them because I always feel like I need to be doing something productive. The swan implies that I lack self-confidence (but I am really good at faking it) and the peacock indicates that my self-esteem is low. Well, those messages are all fine and good and accurate. But they are probably accurate when applied to most people. So taken at face value, this reading didn’t tell me anything that I didn’t already know about myself. But the reader kept repeating a very significant phrase to me that took on a magical element when I interpreted it and applied it to myself. He kept saying to me, “You are not a rock. You have wings. You need to fly.”

All three cards drawn for me represent creatures with wings. Obviously, that is clear enough to see and easy enough to say, “Hey, girl, you have wings. Go fly!” But I was stuck on his repetition of the phrase, “You are not a rock.” You see, one of my lifelong anthems and comfort songs that has gotten me through some of the most trying experiences in my life is Simon & Garfunkel’s I Am a Rock.

Here are the lyrics so you can see how profound they are…

A winter's day
In a deep and dark December

I am alone
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock I am an island

I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pains
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock I am an island

Don't talk of love
Well I've heard the word before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock I am an island

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
I am a rock I am an island

And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries

Those last two lines of the song get stuck on repeat in my head whenever I feel my heart is danger of being hurt. So when the tarot reader was sternly repeating to me, “You are not a rock. Not. A . Rock.”, I found myself suddenly realizing that maybe I need to reevaluate my approach to life and the people in it. And maybe I also need to let down the walls of my fortress every once in a while. Actually, I should probably come out of the fortress altogether so I can spread my wings and finally take flight…like a true cowgirl would!

animal reading, Shelbee on the Edge

For more ageless Western styles, please visit my fabulous friends by clicking on the links below. And be sure to check back with us on January 25, 2023, for our next collaboration! If you have any themes that you would like to see this group style, please let me know in the comments.

“I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should just go ahead and be one.”

-Calamity Jane

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Outfit Details: Slip Dress-Old Navy / Sheer Dress-Target / Ruana-Zara (Thrifted) / Boots-Country Outfitter / Hat-Kohl’s / Scarf-Decades Old / Jewelry-Assortment of Purchased, Gifted, and Thrifted Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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26 Comments

  • Nancy

    October 26, 2022 at 12:15 pm Reply

    So funny I was telling Jodie that I had a outfit in mind that looked a bit western to me. I told her because she had western as a theme today on her blog. And now here are you with the same theme. Love those boots, they are fabulous. I’m so curious to find out what comes your path in the coming years!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      October 27, 2022 at 6:03 am Reply

      Thanks so much, my friend! Well, Jodie and I and the other wonderful ladies in this group picked the Western theme together! I love how the looks came out and now I am looking forward to seeing your Western inspired outfit soon!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Rena

    October 27, 2022 at 10:27 am Reply

    Shelbee,

    This look is absolutely fabulous. You’ve masterfully combined so many great pieces and details steering completely away from appearing like you’re in costume. I have no doubt there were dozens more people who were silently admiring your outfit that day.

    Rena
    http://www.finewhateverblog.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      October 28, 2022 at 6:14 am Reply

      Rena, thanks so much! The Western aesthetic definitely suits my bohemian vibe so I always love combining the two genres. They work really well together. I wore this outfit again for date night last night and received lots more compliments! That is always such a nice feeling! And also, the whole outfit is so comfortable…like a long loose night gown!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Michelle

    October 27, 2022 at 5:33 pm Reply

    You do look freaking fabulous in this outfit! I love the burgundy shades on you. And this outfit has many of them. So pretty! I think many of us – myself included – cling hard to stability (being rock?), because there were times when we didn’t have it, and we worked damn hard to achieve it. Especially, when there are other people depending on us. But yes, we do need to make sure it’s not a prison. However, knowing this and doing it are two entirely different things!

    Michelle
    https://funkyfashionstyle.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      October 28, 2022 at 6:11 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Michelle! I always love reading your insights into the things I write about. You are right, sometimes being a rock is a good thing as long as it’s not a prison. I wore this exact outfit again last night for date night with Jeff. My good friends Fireside Collective from Asheville were playing an hour from my house so we went to see them! This outfit was perfect for a bluegrass show! And I got lots of compliments on it again! And the show was fantastic!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Suzy Turner

    October 28, 2022 at 7:35 am Reply

    I’m not surprised at all that at least five people stopped you to tell you how amazing you look, Shelbee! That dress looks utterly magnificent on you, and I adore how you styled it with the cowboy boots and felt hat. Currently, I don’t own a single pair of cowboy boots (I know, shock horror, right?!). I gave my last pair away because I couldn’t get them off by myself lol. And I hated the idea of them being stuck on my feet lol!! I have notice there are lots in the shops at the moment, and I keep eyeing them up. Perhaps it’s time I should get myself a new pair….but only if they have a zip this time lol!
    I love your interpretation of your tarot card reading, but my most favourite thing of all is that Calamity Jane quote…it’s AWESOME!!! So, go be a legend, Shelbee <3 <3 <3
    Big hugs
    Suzy xx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      October 28, 2022 at 9:07 am Reply

      Awwwww, Suzy, I love you! Thank you so much! I wore this outfit again last night to go see my friend’s band play and I collected a few more compliments! Haha. This is my new favorite outfit! Oh my gosh, I have had boots that I couldn’t get off by myself either and it freaks me out in a claustrophobic way. I usually size up a little in cowgirl boots for that reason and then just wear thick socks. It does prevent my feet from getting stuck in the boots!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Mica Away From Blue

    October 28, 2022 at 5:29 pm Reply

    Oh I love how you layered the dresses together, and those boots are so perfect with this outfit! I did try a pairie dress and boots for this theme but didn’t feel I really nailed it – you certainly have here, I can see why this outfit got you so many compliments! 🙂

    Hope you’re having a nice weekend.

  • Jacqui Berry

    November 2, 2022 at 5:01 pm Reply

    I love this post and adore the cowboy boots. I’ve always wanted a pair and missed out on a stunning gold pair in Venice! I so wished I had bought them years ago – they would have been a super purchase and real talking point!

    Jacqui xx

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