COWGIRL MAGAZINE: All Tied Up In Vegas

COWGIRL MAGAZINE | Written by Andrea Thorp, December 2023

If we know one thing about NFR fashion this year, sporty cowgirl style is IN. We’ve been seeing a parade of knitted horse sweaters, riding boots, tweed, plaid, and blazers on the strip, topped off with cowboy hats and traditional Western accessories.

One piece in particular keeps popping up in fun ways – neck ties! The Western fashion girls keep reaching for this timeless accessory to wear by itself or pair with jewelry in unique ways. Take a look at a few of the outfits featuring this trendy piece:

The COWGIRL team even played in the neck tie trend. Check out this style from the November-December issue fashion shoot, Southwestern Allure.

Pioneers of the Sporty Cowgirl trend, Milton Menasco has become a major style influence (and favorite place to shop) for cowgirls looking to add elegant equestrian details into their wardrobe. Founder Alli Addison gives her take on the hot NFR trend and how it factors into a bigger, more elegant Western picture:

"We’ve been talking this week about 2023 being the year of the elegant cowgirl, the year where classics reign supreme, tradition takes center stage and we find ourselves reaching for pieces and accessories that speak of nostalgia. At Milton Menasco, we launched our satin necktie earlier this year actually as a complete afterthought. The lariat neck tie was born as a “waste not” item; crafted of left over fabric pieces from the construction of some of our larger garments."

"At the time I was looking for a simple accessory to add to our button down shirts and our collared sweatshirts. We had just introduced our “sporty” collection and in doing so, we wanted to offer both a modern approach to sport apparel / athleisure, but we also wanted to tap into the concept of vintage sport."

Read more over at COWGIRL MAGAZINE.

'LARIAT BLACK SATIN RIBBON TIE' Milton Menasco x Street & Saddle

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SUNDAY PAPER: EQUEST x WEST

THE MENASCO EDIT | Sunday Paper | Written by Milton Menasco and Photography by Elizabeth Hay

SERVING UP ‘EQUESTERN’ FUSION - Milton Menasco Investigates the Inclusion of Equestrian Fashion at the National Finals Rodeo

Order up. When two worlds collide, (sometimes) epic things happen. Equestrian style mixed with western spirit is just one of those epic happenings. Will this year’s National Finals Rodeo see a little more classic equestrian influence on the steps of Thomas and Mack? The team at Milton Menasco predicts YES.

“We believe that tall riding boots and cowboy hats can coexist with stylistic ease,” says Alli Addison of Milton Menasco. “Breeches paired with western belts, english show coats alongside a little fringe. There are no rules to how we dress, so why should the blending of two disciplines be any different?” she questions.

Horse culture is a unique one as many horse back riding lovers tend to stay in a very specific lane, both in the saddle and on the streets. But a fusion is on the rise notes the Milton Menasco team. The western lifestyle is certainly making an impression on the equestrian set and visa versa. Over the last few years, more and more western pieces have been showing up on the showgrounds of hunter jumper horse shows, dressage events and more, and much like mainstream fashion western style is really being embraced right now.

English horse back riding culture has always been unique, in that it attracts people from all walks of life but it attracts a lot of city and urban folk as well. We are witnessing more and more incorporating western fashion (think horse trainers in white breeches and tall riding boots but wearing Resistol straw cowboy hats), connecting more with western riding disciplines, actually trying them out as well, and a strong curiosity and appreciation of the western lifestyle we all know and love.

The big question of the moment though, can elements of equestrian style exist in a rodeo setting? This is the wild, wild west. If neon and sequins, high fashion, and classic plaid with cowboy cut wranglers can all show up to the same event and somehow work, equestrian style certainly has a place in the world.

Take the chance, try something bold, channel your inner equestrian this rodeo season. Mix and match, layer and layer, and let your horse girl flag fly.

SUNDAY PAPER: TAKE ME TO THE RODEO

THE MENASCO EDIT | Sunday Paper | Written by Milton Menasco and Photography by Elizabeth Hay

FINDING INSPIRATION FOR 2023 BY LOOKING BACK ON 2022'S NFR STYLING

Often times the best inspiration for style comes from the past. And this is especially true for how the Milton Menasco team is approaching the style lineup for the 2023 National Finals Rodeo. "We really learned last year what worked, what photographed well, and what resonated best with the community," says Alli Addison.

"We kept our looks confined to a neutral palette, with silhouettes and pieces rooted in timeless western elegance. We wanted ensembles that everyone could look back on in 50 years and be proud of, and still feel beautifully put together," she continues. Going into this current season that same mentality certainly applies. "We want our Menasco Girls this year to look classy, age appropriate, obviously on brand color wise, and true to our western values. If we can get a round of applause or a certificate of approval from one of our many western-rooted elders all while still inspiring a younger generation, then our work here is done!" she laughs.

For more inspiration take a look at the Milton Menasco 2022 TAKE ME TO THE RODEO Campaign, all beautifully photographed by Elizabeth Hay.