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This time of year there are soooo many articles about the fashion trends for fall/winter. And sometimes those trends seem accessible, say a color or skinny jeans, but often fashion trends aren't accessible. It is only for certain body shapes, abilities, or sizes, certain bank account shapes and sizes, even certain skintones. Fall/2024 is showing to have one of the most accessible fashion trend in a while and I like to call it Americana Chic.
Americana Chic: The Most Accessible Fashion Trend of Fall/Winter 2024
On March 29, Beyoncé released her latest album, 'Act II, Cowboy Carter' and with it, shared music history that has been hidden and patriotism that she has reclaimed. I don't care whether or not you like Beyoncé or listen to her music, her album and subsequent personal style was the tipping point to the 2024 trend I call Americana chic.
How Did Americana Chic Become So Popular in 2024?
I know for me, Americana Chic gained traction when Kamala Harris became Biden's successor. I think for many, it became a time of renewed hope and a feeling of joy associated with our patriotism. And then right on the tails of this excitement, was the summer Olympics with uniforms designed by iconic American designer Ralph Lauren.
On TVs in gyms and bars and living rooms across America, we watched our country be represented by these amazing athletes. Athletes who won medal after medal while expressing joy and excitement and camaraderie not only with their countrypeople but athletes across the globe. America doesn't have to be a dick to succeed.
I know it hyped me up. Next thing I know, I was searching for American flag sweaters. I loved the classic vibe, and ended up buying an oatmeal-colored 100% cotton one from Lands' End. I felt like again I could wear our country's flag without it representing hate.
Not only that, when visiting the outlets at Rehoboth Beach, I was drawn to the Polo store where I bought the pink oxford shirt of my college self's dreams, in an oversized fit that my current self enjoys. I haven't thought of wearing Polo since I was dog-earring pages of the J. Crew catalog and pairing my L.L. Bean barn jacket with a Britches flannel and my 501s.
The interest in thrifting, sourcing vintage American fashion, revisiting American quality brands, and even interest in watching American movies and TV series from decades ago have brought a renewed interest in quality American labels of the past and those who still exist.
For example, did you know original Carhartt jackets are now a thing? And if they're all beat up even better. In fact, after seeing designer Veronica Beard on TikTok in a bleached-out Carhartt, folks are DIYing their own. There is also a high-end version of Carhartt with elevated runway-ready versions of the iconic brand.
What is Americana Chic?
Americana Chic is nostalgia while also knowing we weren't great. It's recognizing we have a long ways to go as a country but we're never going to make it if we don't believe in it.
Americana Chic is honoring our country's fashion past, from red carpet fashion designers to the American workwear brands relied on for decades.
And Americana Chic is accessible. You can thrift it. You can possibly find it in your attic. You can sew or knit it. You can buy it new, you can buy it vintage, and there is no specific color or silhouette or fabric that would immediately exclude many American citizens.
Barn coats. Rugby shirts. Fisherman sweaters. Mariner stripes. Denim, denim, and more denim. Cowboy boots. Well-worn garments from American brands that survived the 20th century. Made in the U.S.A. and made from natural fibers. Vintage from the late 20th century and the start of the 21st. American fashion labels, especially if they are still in business. And in 2024, it's stylish to put your own spin on your clothes so DIY to your heart's content to customize to your needs and taste.
Inspiration on How to Wear Americana Chic as a Grown Woman
It's always tricky when a trend or style concept is one we wore before. How literal can we go? Will we look on trend, or like we just haven't updated our closet in a long while? Even though we did it before that doesn't mean we can do it again in the same exact manner.
The key is keeping one foot in 2024. Wear your college sweaters, thrift the same barn coat you owned decades ago, embrace the nostalgia, but always find one way to keep it modern. You will see below I do that with denim silhouettes and on-trend accessories and footwear.
Go Classic
Classic pieces at home on a college campus or a New England shore, but edged up for 2024. While aren't American, they are a nostalgic American trend, a college mainstay, durable, and comfortable. The mariner sweater is organic cotton, Ray-Ban aviators are an American classic, the , lipcolor, and are from from women designers, and the keep you in the present with an on-trend silhouette.
Denim on Denim
Denim on denim is a huge trend this fall, and how you do it is completely open. You will see everything from vintage western snap shirts to architectural concept pieces in Japanese ringspun denim. It's also a great way to hop on the Americana Chic trend. Here, I mixed the western vibe of a Wrangler shirt and Ariat booties with an upcycled Coach purse, classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and a relatively subtle western belt. A bit rocker, a bit artsy, a bit western, but all with an Americana Chic vibe.
I personally own this belt, I like that it comes in extended sizes, multiple colors, and it looks good with jeans and trousers. It's an easy way to add Americana Chic to your trousers for work and social occasions.
When it comes to western and cowboy boots, I believe that if you buy quality and they're comfortable, they can remain in your closet for the rest of time. You know your style, if a colorfully embellished pair could be your signature or you'd be best with a subtle color and design that you can pull out when they seem right for the occasion.
Original or Out
Americana Chic means recognizing our history along with our contemporary style. If you wish to wear Indigenous-inspired style, buy the original. This sweater duster is a collaboration between American brand Faherty and Native American woman-owned brand b.Yellowtail. The are from the same label.
For reference, the come in three sizes, and the come in regular, petite, and tall to 3X. The is available XS-3X/26 and the brand offers discounts for students, teachers, military, nurses and doctors, and first responders.
High/Low and Dressy/Utilitarian
Wondering how to wear barn jackets, chore coats, and Carhartts this season? Streetstyle fashionistas have been rocking these coats with denim dresses, shirtdresses, and boots. While many of them have shorter hemlines and boots, I felt this combo may be more comfortable for us grown women when sitting on public transportation or heading to the office.
As for weekends, ask what would Martha Stewart do? A cableknit sweater and cords? Crisp white shirt and tweed trousers? Well-loved jeans, a mariner shirt and duck boots? Sounds like some Americana Chic, especially if made your own with accessories like belts, silk scarves, and jewelry (pearls are back, BTW).
Do those boots look familiar? They're the Frye 'Melissa' that was an early 2000s favorite. Bring back your Sam Edelman 'Pennys' and other brands of riding boots and style them this year with dresses and skirts from above the knee to midi length. While it may be tempting, this is not a return to the "Han Solo" of skinny jeans, riding boots, and a puffer vest. Think 70s, not Y2K soccer mom.
If tall boots aren't in your closet and you don't see a need for them, don't buy them. We're grown-ass women and at an age where we know what we enjoy and what we don't. If you didn't love boots in the 2000s and 2010s you likely will like them even less now. Consider some structured ballet flats with an interesting toebox and/or Mary Jane strap as an alternative.
