Crazy Heart-ing the Country Western Cowboy

By Chris Frey
February 17, 2010

Jeff Bridges, Photo Credit: Lorey Sebastian (photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight)

With fashion and film taking a tour through the American Southwest, the quiet, country western cowboy is riding high in the saddle.

The most high-profile of this genre is Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. In a Golden Globe-winning, Oscar-nominated performance, Bridges plays country singer Bad Blake, a burned out and aging country singer who is relegated to playing with local bands in small towns, hauling his Fender amp and guitar around in a clunky '78 Chevy Suburban that’s as faded as his own once reputable career. No rhinestone cowboy, Blake embodies outlaw singer songwriters like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson whose country western styles are stripped down, earthy and a little tough. There are the cowboy standards: boots, hat, snap button shirts, leather vest and plenty of denim. But it's his accessories that remind us that Blake is forever a performer: horn and bone necklaces on leather cords, a watch with inlaid turquoise, a flask, oversize belt buckles and aviator shades. The age-old look of these items is part of their rugged appeal.

Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Photo Credit: Lorey Sebastian (photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight)

Jeff Bridges and Robert Duvall, Photo Credit: Lorey Sebastian (photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight)

Fashion designers continually return to influences from the American west and this season is no different. Because of their clean lines and natural materials many pieces have become in the least wardrobe staples and, more importantly, American classics. Jessica Biehl appeared on the cover of February’s Vogue wearing a western style denim vest and jacket from Ralph Lauren. D+G opened their Spring show with a head to toe weathered western look complete with boots and leather belt. And when Karl Lagerfeld closed his Chanel show in Paris wearing dusty jeans and cowboy boots you knew something was in the air.

Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel Ready To Wear Spring/Summer 2010 (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2010 (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Get the Look on eBay

1. Urban Outfitters Plaid Shirt (buy it now price, $9.99) This shirt has the signature western snap closures and front pockets, but the colors make it feminine—even a little preppy.

2. Lucchese Boots (buy it now price, $349.00) From reknowned cowboy boot maker Lucchese, the black keep these looking polished and clean, but still a little outlaw cool.

3. Leather Belt with Silver Buckle (buy it now price, $34.98) Already soft and weathered, this belt is a perfect complement to your favorite jeans and t-shirt.

4. Hemitite Horn Pendant (buy it now price, $19.99) Equally edgy and feminine, this horn is great on a chain or a leather cord.

5. Calvin Klein Jean Jacket (buy it now price, $19.99) Denim is a ket component in western wardrobes, and this faded style feels likes it has been aged just right.

6. Vintage Turquoise Bracelet (buy it now price, $542.50) No western look is complete without a little turquoise.This is a vintage tribal piece from the 1960’s that is completetly unique.

7. Antique Flask Bottle (buy it now price, $29.95) This gorgeous glass flask is perfect for storing oils or fragrance.

8. Aviator Sunglasses (buy it now price, $2.95) Classic avaitors will never go out of style. The brown lenses with gold rims are warm and feminine.

9. Chevrolet Suburban (buy it now price, $9,500) A little less battered than Blake’s, this vintage Suburban is road ready for travels through the Southwest.

10. Levi’s Boot Cut Jeans (buy it now price, $19.99) Pack away your skinny jeans; its all about the ease of the boot cut.

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