There’s no question that country music is having a major moment in 2025 — not only sonically but sartorially. From Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter era to the rise of “coastal cowgirl” aesthetics, the once-niche world of Westernwear has emerged as a mainstream fashion force. But if there’s one event that truly encapsulated this cultural crossover, it was Spotify House at CMA Fest.
Returning for its sixth year at Ole Red in downtown Nashville, Spotify House (June 5–7) became the ultimate intersection of music, fashion, and fandom — a curated showcase that drew some of the biggest names in country, from Kelsea Ballerini and Keith Urban to viral newcomers like Dasha and Shaboozey. Across three packed days, the performances were electric, the energy was unmatched, and the outfits? Utterly unforgettable.
The New Western: Where Streaming Meets Street Style
“Streaming has been a driving force behind the global expansion of country music,” Meagan Bennington, Label Partnerships Manager at Spotify Nashville, shares with GRAZIA USA. “It’s become borderless, allowing a new audience from around the world to discover their kind of country. But it’s not just the sound that’s spreading — there’s more attention than ever on the fashion that comes with the genre.”
This year, that fashion was on full display. Think vintage cowboy boots, bold belt buckles, leather fringe, and rhinestone-studded pearl snaps — all reimagined through a contemporary lens. Whether it was on stage or in the crowd, fans and artists alike used style as a form of storytelling, adding personal flair to the traditional Western wardrobe.
Westernwear has long been embedded in American fashion history, tracing back to 19th-century cowboy culture where practicality met rugged style. But in recent years, the aesthetic has seen a major revival far beyond the ranch. According to Lyst’s 2024 Year in Fashion report, searches for “cowboy boots” surged 124%, while “fringe jackets” and “Western belts” also saw triple-digit increases. The “coastal cowgirl” trend dominated TikTok with over 400 million views, merging beachy minimalism with Western iconography.
High fashion embraced the movement, too — Chloé, Isabel Marant, and Celine all sent models down the runway in cowboy boots, prairie dresses, and suede fringe for their Spring/Summer collections. Even Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter era redefined Westernwear with couture-level detailing and powerful cultural symbolism. In today’s context, Western style isn’t just a throwback — it’s a form of identity and storytelling, reinterpreted by a new generation of artists, fans, and fashion lovers alike.
Behind the Seams: Artists on Their Country Style
Country artists didn’t just show up — they showed out. At Spotify House, style and self-expression went hand-in-hand, with each performer offering their own take on Westernwear.
Dasha, the breakout artist behind viral hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” embraced Western authenticity with a modern edge:
“I used to ride horses growing up — I still do — but these [Miss Me jeans] are what I’d go Western riding in,” she shares exclusively with GRAZIA, also pointing out her horseshoe ring and leather vintage Prada top. “Leather is VERY Western.”
Carter Faith, known for her soulful sound and shimmering stage presence, leaned into maximalist flair:
“Westernwear is very accessory-driven, and I love an accessory. I love to do it all gaudy on stage,” she says. “On stage, I love wearing things that have movement, that are flowy and kind of make me feel like Stevie Nicks…or not myself, honestly.”
Her Nashville vintage picks? Backslide Vintage and High Class Hillbilly — local gems for fans seeking standout, one-of-a-kind looks.
Parker McCollum, one of country’s leading men, stayed true to classic codes — with a few luxury twists:
“If your jeans aren’t sitting up on their own, your Western style is incomplete,” he jokes, adding that he rotates between Levi Signature and Wrangler denim. As for footwear: “I like a good pair of Lucchese boots, I have a collection with them… 90 percent of the time I’m wearing them.” His favorite accessory? A Presidential Rolex.
Tanner Adell, who grew up in a small town in Wyoming, added her own DIY spin:
“I grew up with a lot of what I would call vintage… I always put my own flare onto it.”
“I love a good pearl snap when I’m home — jeans, cowboy hat, snapback — and I tend to bedazzle those as well.”
She even makes many of her own stage looks and teased her upcoming single:
“I absolutely love snakeskin… I have a song coming out called ‘Snakeskin’ on June 13.”
Hudson Westbrook and Vincent Mason also brought their takes, with starched jeans, Ariats, and hats from local brands like Western Threads:
“Throughout the process of picking out what I was going to wear as an artist, I was really sold on the whole vintage thing — I feel like you can really differentiate yourself from other people,” Hudson shares. His attention to detail extended down to his jeans: “We always have the starched jeans, we cannot have unstarched jeans — they have to be standing up on their own before I put them on.”
Meanwhile, Vincent focused on blending form and function with a rugged twist:
“Hats are a big look… this is Western Threads, they’re a company in College Station, a bunch of young guys,” he explains. “I’d advise anybody to go square-toe — these are Ariats right here. I kind of beat ’em up, these are my show shoes.”
Music Moments That Made History
Fashion wasn’t the only showstopper. Spotify House was packed with headline-making performances and surprise moments that had the crowd buzzing:
- Shaboozey was surprised onstage with a Spotify Billions Club plaque for his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which he performed to close out his set.
- Keith Urban brought fans to their feet — and then climbed on top of the bar to close out his high-octane performance.
- Noah Cyrus and Blake Shelton performed their unreleased collab “New Country” for the first time.
- Megan Moroney marked her #1 chart hit “Am I Okay?” with a surprise set.
- Ne-Yo made an unexpected cameo, joining Ashley Cooke to duet his R&B classic “So Sick.”
Redefining Country for the Next Generation
Spotify House also marked a decade of Hot Country, the playlist that’s become a cultural force in its own right. With that legacy in mind, Bennington reflected on what this new chapter of country means:
“This new wave of country is unapologetically authentic. From Zach Top reviving the sound of the ’90s to Lainey Wilson’s bold songwriting and style, the genre is leaning into individuality. It’s also beginning to cross over into pop, rap, and rock in new ways.”
“At its heart, country has always been about embracing your true self and style — and Spotify House was proof of that.”
Why It Matters
More than a playlist party, Spotify House cemented itself as a cultural catalyst — a place where fashion, music, and personal identity converge. It showcased a genre in transformation, a style movement in full swing, and a community that’s not afraid to wear its heart — and its fringe — on its sleeve.
From Nashville to TikTok, this is the new frontier of country.
