It’s 15 degrees in Northern Montana.  The blustery winds beat at your screen door as you hunker down in a wool blanket with your cup of hot cider and try not to think about the fact that you’re freezing.

Disclaimer: It’s actually 43 degrees.  Plus, I’m in Arkansas, not Montana, so just play along.

Ahem.

So there you are hunkered down in your blanket, when suddenly it hits you:  You have to venture outside to feed the horses.  And, because it is a life or death situation (and because the horses in your stable have utterly discriminating taste in fashion), you must also look pulled together.  Your closet has an uninspiring assortment of black wool sweaters and aged denim.  This will obviously not go over well with Gwen, your black and white spotted Appaloosa with an eye for high fashion.  WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO?

Well my dear, dear country loving friend, there is hope at last for those of us who reach for a boring wool sweater when temperatures drop.  Southwestern/Tribal inspired prints are HUGE for fall and winter this year.  Not that there is anything wrong (or necessarily boring) about a classic wool sweater – but in the winter months, when you are longing for some color and  texture and something other than flat and grey, these prints will be right up your alley.   Aside from adding  interest to your wardrobe, they are very easy to pull off, (and slimming, thank goodness).

The best part?

They go GREAT with cowboy boots.  As in fantastic.  As in practically made for each other.  Since I find it hard to remove myself from my boots each night when the mercury drops, I’m elated about this tiny detail.  So now, I can…

1) Pull on a nice fitting pair of jeans.

2) Add a basic wool sweater, like the bajillion that are hanging in my closet.

3) Layer on the Southwestern wrap/poncho/chunky sweater/coat like this one…

Image Credit: modcloth

4) Put on my cowboy boots.  I think a weathered, basic pair will help keep the tribal print the main focus.

Image Credit: Country Outfitter

And just like that, your day can go from “holy-cow-it’s-so-cold-what-am-I-going-to-wear?” to ‘WOW look at that outfit!”  You’re happy, looking nice, and can do just about anything (including riding Gwen the fashion-savvy Appaloosa- since she now approves of your outfit).

Send me some photos of how great you look in your tribal-inspired outfit so I can show off all of your pretty faces online!  You can tweet, Facebook, or comment on this post!