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Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column that explores current trends in fashion and beauty as seen through the eyes of Who What Wear’s Gen Z editors. This column highlights emerging designers, influential tastemakers, and shopping choices from the generation that sets the style agenda.
Reflecting on my childhood, I fondly remember summers spent with my grandparents, particularly my maternal grandfather, who devoted hours to watching classic Western films featuring legends like John Wayne and Gary Cooper. After his passing in 2015, these films reignited memories of our time together, filling me with nostalgia. Watching those spaghetti Westerns transports me back to lazy afternoons with iced tea and butterscotch candies, an experience entwined with the iconic imagery of lone cowboys riding into the sunset. Nevertheless, the Wild West was rife with issues such as violence and colonization, challenges glossed over by the romanticized notion of frontier life that so deeply resonates within the American consciousness.
When Beyoncé unveiled her album Cowboy Carter last spring, I felt a strong connection as a Black woman with a complex relationship to history, especially one shaped by growing up in the West. The album invites a fresh perspective on Western aesthetics, encouraging a redefinition of cultural icons. In celebration of this new wave in Western-inspired fashion and the launch of the Cowboy Carter tour, I’ve curated a list of 19 outstanding fragrances that perfectly encapsulate that cowboy spirit, igniting a desire to don boots and perhaps indulge in a stylish cowboy hat.
Top Fragrances Reflecting Western Aesthetics
Boy Smells
Cowboy Kush Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: earthy spices
Key Notes: hazelnut, white leather, cannabis, suede, tonka bean, patchouli
This intriguing fragrance transcends traditional earthy notes, incorporating blooming cannabis flowers alongside warm hazelnut and white leather. Finished with rich tonka bean and musky patchouli, it delivers a remarkable and smoky finish.
Customer Review: “This captures the essence of a cowboy unwinding after a long day. It’s earthy with a musky undertone, and I can’t get enough of it!”
By Rosie Jane
Dylan Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: earthy woods
Key Notes: cedar, frankincense, white musk
Dylan emanates the spirit of adventure reminiscent of a lone ranger’s journey across vast plains, melding soft cedar with frankincense and white musk to evoke confidence and independence.
Customer Review: “This fragrance evolves beautifully throughout the day, providing a warm embrace akin to enjoying a cozy bonfire with whiskey in hand!”
Byredo
Animalique Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: amber floral
Key Notes: bergamot, lemon, violet, mimosa, suede, tobacco leaf, amber
This unisex fragrance offers a sophisticated yet cozy profile, blending citrus notes with warm mimosa and violet, rounded off with amber, tobacco leaf, and soft suede, crafting an inviting aromatic landscape.
Customer Review: “A lovely scent that lasts long! Many compliments, rich yet earthy vibes with uplifting hints of bergamot.”
D.S. & Durga
Cowboy Grass Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: fresh woods
Key Notes: rosemary, wild thyme, bergamot, sage, basil, vetiver
Inspired by the scent of prairie switchgrass, this aroma incorporates a unique blend of thyme, sagebrush, and fresh grass, celebrating its best-selling status since its inception.
Customer Review: “This brings memories of riding through Wyoming—it’s versatile and captured beautifully within every single wear!”
Each of these fragrances embodies a distinct aspect of Western culture while also expanding the narrative of cowboy-inspired aesthetics and identities. This curated list serves as both a celebration of new interpretations and a reminder of the rich history behind the iconic symbols of the Wild West.
Source
www.whowhatwear.com