Meet Our Favorite Western Wear Designers: Fort Lonesome

Hey Rhinestone Cowboy, move to the side.

This year’s Grammy Awards made one thing very clear: Gay Country Western has arrived….And hot damn, we hope it’s here to stay.

Seems as though Western wear has a way of resurfacing in mainstream culture and fashion every decade. Sure, John Wayne and even Reagan made statements in their Stetsons, then John Travolta brought the Urban Cowboy vibes to the 80s – which I always just assumed was just the John Wayne look plus an absurd amount of Cocaine, Madonna’s cowgirl look in the ‘Don’t tell me’ music video from the early 00s, and so forth and so on….

But now we have Orville Peck, Diplo, and Lil’ Nas X – riding into the Grammy’s in true fucking style…

It’s like the start to a joke – What do a Canadian Crooner, Sexually Liberated DJ, and Gay Rapper have in common? It was their badass look. Just check out Diplo’s after-party outfit below…. After taking a glance, let us know how we could emulate before SXSW.

 

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We made a thing for a guy for a thing. I could write a whole agonizingly earnest tome on the existential profundity of making garments specifically for one brief moment in time – and the bizarro intersection of relevancy, validation and creativity that arises with this endeavor- but frankly I’m already board of hearing myself even begin to dig into what is such a precious, privileged flavor of angst. Yawnsville. So here it is- a photographic celebration of the creative work of so many hands and minds! Yay team! Yay weird awards show where we’re all supposed to pay attention and drink the kool-aid! But seriously folks – this was a fun project with a stellar team: Our ❤️ stylist: @samanthaburkhartstylist Design by: @tinybreakdancer Embroidery pattern sudoku by: @me_amrit Master of headbands: @michelle_devereux Crazy on the fly patternmaking by: @bekahdubose Garment construction precision by: @barbourita and @laurenchesterr Fort Stoners: @lieeluh and @javi.uriegas

A post shared by Ft. Lonesome (@ftlonesome) on Jan 28, 2020 at 7:00am PST

Whether you’re looking to add just a little Cowboy cool to your existing gear, or need a completely new wardrobe check out Ft. Lonesome, the Texas-based brand pumping out pimp worthy cowboy couture…From their patches to their suits, we want it all… and judging by the below looks like we’re in some pretty cool company.

 

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Custom #suitbaby for legendary drummer #PeteThomas! Designed and stitched by @tinybreakdancer, this one was inspired by the high desert of California, with some ethereal mystic sunset vibes for good measure and maximum kapow factor. Western detailing lovingly executed by our #tendertailor @bekahdubose. Thanks as always to @mrjeremydylan for the support and connection! #customwesternwear #customftlonesome #rodeofashion #cosmicwestern

A post shared by Ft. Lonesome (@ftlonesome) on Jan 23, 2020 at 7:23am PST

 

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✨HANDPICKED BY THE FORT✨ time! For today’s *first* item we’ve got these sweet Poc/Kits! These are designs that are stitched on recycled denim pockets that are ready to stitch on anything you want. Take your pocket off and add a cooler one! Add it to your tote bag to make it cooler and add a new compartment! What would you put it on??? Make sure you tag us in whatever you add it to because we want to see how you use them! #ftlonesome #pockit #diy #customizable #butt

A post shared by Ft. Lonesome (@ftlonesome) on Dec 17, 2019 at 9:59am PST

 

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@addam.joseph modeling @trevorsmithbanjo’s @christinahurtsmith designed suit to ring in this season of: (fill in the blank) (For me it’s the season of: holy shit THIS IS WHY I LIVE IN AUSTIN- as in: highs in the high 60’s low 70’s lows in the low 40’s crisp-clear-perfect running weather. It’s glorious.) photo and extreme holiday decorating by @christinahurtsmith

A post shared by Ft. Lonesome (@ftlonesome) on Dec 3, 2019 at 7:47am PST

 

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@nickofferman, lover of #wendellberry, #trees and @nancyandbeth, in his custom #ftlonesome #squirrelpearl

A post shared by Ft. Lonesome (@ftlonesome) on Oct 8, 2019 at 12:21pm PDT

 

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So this happened. Kermit and @removador singing Rainbow Connection during the final set of @newportfolkfest 2019, with a little bit of #customftlonesome in the mix. @christinahurtsmith whipped this look up with barely a moments notice, and we sure wish she’d been with the rest of us here in Rhode Island when we got to….. wait for it…….. (see next post) (gorgeous capture by the one and only @Vnina

A post shared by Ft. Lonesome (@ftlonesome) on Jul 29, 2019 at 7:08am PDT