College-Style

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So Sioux Me Posted: 28 Jun 2011 02:25 PM PDT By: Lori of University of Georgia. Follow me @ Lori_37. Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 Collection Photo Credit After re-watching the Coen brothers' film, True Grit, I was reminded of all of the great Southwestern fashion that I have seen chronicled lately on fashion blogs and in magazines. The Navajo prints, fringed suede and beautiful earthy palettes that I keep seeing all seem to have similar gusto to the feisty characters in the film. Some designers, such as Roberto Cavalli and Ralph Lauren, seem to have been heavily influenced by the ranchers, cowboys, Native Americans and arid desert landscapes of the American Southwest in their Spring/Summer collections, and I for one am certainly not complaining. I am an ardent lover of Western fashion, particularly Native American pieces (my Minnetonka fringed booties are treasured items), although I don't often get the chance to find good Western pieces to wear. However, with popular stores like Urban Outfitters and Free People jumping on the (covered) bandwagon back to the old west, bold western looks are a cinch to get a hold of. Let's pull on our boots and wipe some of the dust off of these Southwestern styles. Photo Credit Navajo prints Navajo prints are an unfussy, unique and stylish way to rock bold patterns. To avoid clashing or looking over-the-top, try not to wear too many prints at one time. In an ensemble, prints look great when contrasted with solid neutral colors like white, black, or tan, just like this trendy New Yorker. Hats, hats, hats It's all about the Western hat, whether it be a bowler hat (similar to those featured above) or a more rugged felt fedora or western hat. If you're worried about looking ridiculous wearing one of these, try some of these tips from ehow.com. -Find a hat that complements your face; people with smaller, rounder faces can afford to wear hats with a little bit more height, whereas people with longer and narrower faces should try shorter hats. -Hats will look best and feel best on your head if they're the right size. If a hat is sliding down over your ears or constricting your head, try on a different size. -To keep your hat in one place, spray some hairspray on your hair. Photo Credit Desert Boots These boots have been very popular in men's fashion for a while, but now, to my delight, brands like Madewell and Nine West are producing their own desert boots for women. Desert boots look hip with any number of ensembles, but I love them with cuffed chino pants or jeans. Generally, desert boots look the best with narrow straight-legs or skinny jeans. Jewelry Silver jewelry is a key feature of Southwestern style; try a thick iron cuff or ring. Feathered earrings and necklaces are also great additions to an outfit and can make you feel like a Native American princess. Turquoise stone jewelry looks beautiful and fresh, particularly when contrasted with white and black. Some of my favorite Southwestern jewelry, however, is the intricate beading of the multi-colored Native American necklaces. Fringed Suede From a fringed jacket to a tall pair of fringed boots, fringed suede is an example of quintessential Western style and adds a little bit of punch to any outfit. I worry about wearing suede when it's wet outside, so to weather-proof your suede or leather items, you can pick up protector sprays, such as  Wilson's Leather and Suede Protector Spray, at $9.99. The sprays work on handbags and shoes as well, so they really come in handy. Items in this Set: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Hopefully you will feel the spirit of the Old West flowing through you when wearing these Southwestern clothes. I am confident that, as Maddie Ross from True Grit would say, you will wear them with "great poise." Thoughts? Love these Southwestern clothes? Have a favorite Western item that you like to wear? Wear these clothes in any unique way? Send us pictures! Read our other recent trend reports on multi-colored nails and longer hemlines.

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