Hillbilly Hippie — Rouge Magazine

Acclaimed country singer Lainey Wilson has become one of the most iconic figures in the country music industry. Known for her chart-topping music hits "Heart Like a Truck" and "Things a Man Oughta Know," Wilson has created an outstanding reputation as a talented singer and performer. However, her expertise in country music is not the only feature of Wilson's unique persona that sets her apart. Lainey Wilson is also prevalent in the fashion realm, admired by fans for her vibrant, boho-southern vibes. She famously coined the phrase "Hillbilly Hippie," a song of hers that perfectly describes her bold style: vintage with a country flare.

Speaking of flare, Lainey Wilson can most likely be seen wearing classic bell bottoms in all types of cuts and colors. Upon being labeled Female Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and titling her Country Music Association award-winning album Bell Bottom Country, Wilson has recently reflected on what pieces inspired her in the process of distinguishing herself through fashion. Wilson grew up in a small town of about 300 people in Baskin, Louisiana. Her small-town upbringing has left an engrained mark on various aspects of her life, with her personal style and passion for clothing being particularly shaped by this experience. Wilson remembers when she was about 8 or 9, her mother bought her first pair of bell bottoms in sincere Lainey Wilson style, blue leopard print. She recalls, "My mama bought 'em. And it got to the point where I was wearing 'em so much, she was like, 'You gotta take 'em off. We gotta put 'em in the washer.' But I just feel like things that are throwback come with a good story." (Willman, 2023). Her grandmother often sewed fabric into her old skinny jeans to upcycle them as bell bottoms. Wilson did not care if she looked funny; she fearlessly sought to define herself through her unique style, embracing its role in authentic self-expression.

Initially styling casual looks before becoming experimental with fashion, she tells Variety how she was searching for a way to differentiate herself from the other Nashville women using more than just her songs (Willman, 2023). Thinking back to her small-town origins and ardor for country music, Wilson was inspired by the past to set her presence apart going forward in the industry. It was in 2016 that she decided to regularly sport the vintage t-shirt and bell bottom combo, a choice she has faithfully stuck with ever since.

Though the retro-chic bell bottoms are a staple in Wilson's wardrobe, her style consists of other various elements that pull her vintage-western aesthetic together. Wilson prefers eye-catching statement jewelry, fringe layers, and striking flat-brimmed hats. Her stylists, Juli and Jeri, say the first step in obtaining the best Lainey Wilson look is pairing high-waisted bell bottoms with a vintage t-shirt tied around the waist to create an hourglass silhouette. Once you incorporate Wilson's favorite accessories listed above, you will be channeling the bell-bottom queen's signature style effortlessly. Nevertheless, no one can pull off the country-flared bell bottoms quite like Wilson. Even she (along with many of her fans) believes that they accentuate her figure in the most appealing nature while maintaining a classy and authentic connection to her Southern roots.

Lainey Wilson is admired for her authenticity and free spirit across the board; her acting (featured in Yellowstone), country music presence, and personal style all reflect her carefree and genuine character. She took bell bottoms and her Southern chic appeal and ran with it, attracting her fans by donning her renowned looks. Wilson proclaims, "I'll probably be 90 years old and still wearing bell bottoms — I don't think anybody's ever seen my ankles!" (Moore, 2023). Lainey Wilson no doubt has impeccable musical talent and unique "Hillbilly Hippie" appeals, but it is, as Wilson would say, her "britches" that initially highlighted her unmistakable look.

References

Moore, A. (2023, June 26). Lainey Wilson shares why she’ll never give up her bell bottoms. Wide Open Country. https://www.wideopencountry.com/lainey-wilson-bell-bottom-pants/

O’Connell, M. (2023, May 11). Unleash your inner hippie with Lainey Wilson’s signature bell bottom look -- 5 tips from her stylists. Country Now. https://countrynow.com/unleash-your-inner-hippie-with-lainey-wilsons-signature-bell-bottom-look-5-tips-from-her-stylists/

Willman, C. (2023, January 6). Lainey Wilson’s brand of “bell bottom country” is flaring up, on the charts and in “Yellowstone” acting role. Variety. https://variety.com/2023/music/news/lainey-wilson-country-singer-yellowstone-bell-bottom-album-cmas-1235480388/

Written by Savanna Waddell

Copyedited by Emily Slepsky

Graphic by Sheena Deepak