One Thing About Fashion People in 2026, They're Going to Dress Like They're on a Ranch in Montana

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Spring/summer 2026 runway
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Call it the Yellowstone effect, but Western fashion is back in full swing. On the runways at brands such as Brandon Maxwell, Gabriela Hearst, and Ralph Lauren, we've seen the resurgence of pieces like swingy fringe jackets, bolo ties, cowboy boots, conch belts, and tiered ruffled dresses that all tap into the Western romance trend that is sweeping fashion at the moment.

The fashion set is also leaning into the style aesthetic. Whether they're packing for a trip to Montana or Colorado or getting dressed for the streets of Paris or New York, the Western pieces are showing up in abundance. Ahead, shop our edit of the best pieces to add to your wardrobe to adopt the Western romance trend that is sweeping the style scene.

Kristen Nichols
Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.