Miley Cyrus’ recent music isn’t necessarily defined as country, but she has collaborated with Godmother and recently re-recorded Wrecking Ball. Hamm said collaborations like this are drawing global attention to cowboy culture.
“Western fashion is now making a big move into the mainstream,” she says. “A friend of mine owns a Western fashion store in Fort Worth, Texas, and people say he’s ‘cowboy curious.’ When major artists draw inspiration from cowboy culture, big hair… The Grammys will see a lot of cowboy culture take over the main stage, whether it’s her glamorous style or even Beyoncé wearing a cowboy hat and drawing inspiration from cowboy culture.”
Ashley Jackson is a Western fashion journalist living in Idaho. She teaches people about Western traditions, from fashion to culture, and agrees with Hamm that cowboys are having a good time. For Jackson, her Cyrus look is not only a tribute to her godmother, but also her own heritage.
“She was grateful for her family and Dolly in her speeches and Instagram posts, and her clothing reflected that,” Jackson told BBC Culture. “This is Miley saying, ‘Hey, I’m rooted in Western culture. It doesn’t have to be defined by horses and jeans. Our culture is classy, feminine, It’s powerful.”
Jackson also said that on a personal level, Cyrus has been through a lot, recently going through a divorce, and her on-stage look was to assert her strength.
“There’s power in a woman with that much hair,” Jackson says. “Western culture is based on true grit and character.”