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What is Americana Style?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Every time someone refers to "Americana" as a style persona or outfit vibe, I become more confused. I thought it was a variation of East Coast Preppy, but when someone referred to ponchos as Americana in yesterday's post, I realize that I don't have the full picture.

Americana Style probably means different things to different people, and has a very particular meaning for those who are American and grew up with the looks in the US. I'd love to hear your take on Americana Style. Visuals would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for educating me. xo

General

56 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am by no means an expert and look forward to other answers, but my first thoughts were jean jackets and Ralph Lauren....

Meow

Veteran

When I think of "Americana" the first thing that comes to mind is Native American Indian (ponchos, moccosins, leather, fringe, turquoise, geometric patterns....) and Western (cowboy boots, vests, cowboy hats.....)

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Diana

Veteran

Well, to me the quintessential Americana look would be a white tee + medium wash Levis + cowboy boots. I think denim is definitely the cornerstone of the look, and it is far more casual, rugged, utlitarian than preppy. There is a country/Western influence (hence where the serapes and ponchos would come in). A touch of rocker would not go amiss either.

Remember the Bruce Springsteen picture perfect challenge?

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I imagine it depends on what age you are, and what area you lived in, but I can definitely relate to ponchos as "Americana" which to me personally has more of an American Indian and Cowboy connotation.

I remember going on a very long road trip with an uncle and a wood paneled station wagon full of cousins from Missouri to California's coast. My eyes were wide open at that time and it was my first small glimpse of seeing very different styles across America. In particular the people of the southwest stood out to me then. Denim, ponchos, suede or leather vests with fringe, turquoise, sterling silver (if you were "lucky" enough to afford it), and the overall cowboy look were abundant. Further along the trip, the bohemian influences of Californians and the whole "hippie" movement with flared patched jeans, maxi dresses, mixed in with leisure suits and mini skirts, played out in front of my own "style" of typical Midwest girls; cutoff jeans, a waist tied button down and cheap white Keds.

These are all images I see as "Americana."

bj1111

Veteran

east coast prep isn't "americana" per se. sarah is closer to what i think of as quintessential "americana" --wild westy, frontierland. some 19th century canadian trapper gear would also fit here...like the davey crockett muskrat tail hats.

then there's the "american" look--which i think of as being broader, possibly geography specific. includes Diana's reference to bruce springsteen, also east coast prep and it's southern white shoe cousins, and the cali boho look. of course, ubiquitous sneaker/trainer while on holiday look--but it's been co-opted by the sporty luxe trend.

can't wait to see other daffy-nitions.

Anonymous

Blue jeans and t-shirts come to my mind. Beyond that, I need to be educated. Yes, the western style would be the traditional "Americana" look I suppose, but what would epitomize the modern-day "Americana" look?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Aha. The Americana theme is already quite varied between the lot of you. Diana's description marries both the Denim Look with the Wild West so to speak (Springsteen's picture is iconic). I definitely understand a little more about the style. Thank you.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Not sure what exactly Americana refers to honestly, but it may be that since ponchos were "invented" in South and Central America that it is not totally inappropriate in this reference.

rachylou

Veteran

My first thoughts: Faded red, white, and denim blue. Faded American flags. Straw cowboy hats. Cowboy boots. Men's tanks, white (meant to be undershirts, but worn as outerwear). Trucks. Chickens. Dust. Country Western (which is different from Country, Southern, Prairie, South Western, Blue Grass... and which does have a Rock n' Roll element).

Americana is flat lander. You can throw a little desert in there, but only a dash.

ETA: I was going to say *Coca-Cola*, but that's pretty much just a part of every American style out there, lol. Except preppy.

ETA: I say Ponchos come in with the desert influence, at that intersection between "Indian Country" and the American sprawl westward. They're also a close relative in shape to the knit shawl.

picture sources: 1) http://montaukclub.com/wp-cont.....00x199.jpg 2) http://www.benfieldphoto.com/1.....ff_004.jpg 3) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohHh.....detail.jpg

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Joy

Veteran

I also think of Americana style as based on denim, usually boot cut blue jeans worn with boots, chambray button downs only with snaps with Western styling, sweaters or jewelry with American Indian blanket designs. I think of some Ralph Lauren or Pendelton when it comes to brands. Levi for jeans.
ETA: plaid, especially Buffalo plaids, quilt patterns, often peasant blouses, distressed brown leather

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Laurinda

Veteran

Good question. Besides American flags I think of Cowboys, Rosie the Riveter, James Dean's Rebel. Maybe a bit of Marilyn Monroe Hollywood Glamour. [ETA after reading Jjsloane's comment below, Monroe would be more 'American' than 'Americana']
Interesting that the images I thought of are all pre-1960.

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Jjsloane

Veteran

I equate it with the style that is a little rustic, usually patriotic (lots of red, white and blue patterns, but calicos and old fashioned ones). Primitive art from ealy western settler days which is why I think the cowboy and native american influences. Very much Ralph Lauren's look of jeans, concho belts, blanket sweaters.
I consider Bruce Springsteen American style, not Americana.

rachylou

Veteran

Laurinda, I find it fascinating that you think of Rosie, Jimmy and Marilyn. I think they're like Coke to me, in the end.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Joy said is what I'm seeing in the ads and catalogs that use that terminology--not to say that that is "the" definition. Tending toward Western, desert, Native American, blanket-plaid, more distressed leather, silver.

Laurinda

Veteran

@Rachylou, you have a good point. Teasing out 'American' from 'Americana' is not easy. And not to get too deeply analytical, my first choices were biased towards European-heritage and working-class.

Sheila

Veteran

I would add plaid shirts, blue chambray work shirts. Boots meant for working on a ranch.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

A search on Pinterest for "1970's Americana Fashion" resulted in some pretty great images:

http://www.pinterest.com/searc.....D=1970%27s|typed&te

deb

Veteran

I have always equated Americana to the western/Native American/Ralph Lauren look as far as clothing styles go.

rachylou

Veteran

I considered putting calico in my list, but decide that was *Prairie.* Which maybe speaks to Sheila's point about ranching. Prairie (in my little self-referential world) is weighted more towards farming life and it's 19th century. Americana and Prairie, tho, I might add, say grain farming to me.

ETA: If you take out the '70s in the Pinterest search, that changes the results a lot.

Laurinda

Veteran

'fess up: Who else is suffering 1976 US Bicentennial flashbacks?

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LACeleste

Veteran

I think of Americana as the style I saw in Santa Fe this summer. Western wear ( very Ralph Lauren) with Native American elements.. Very casual. Organic materials. Lots of denim. Unpretentious and accessible.

rachylou

Veteran

This is my kinda thread. People feel free to smack me with the wet noodle. So...

... but but LACeleste, Santa Fe gets its own special style moniker...

crutcher

Veteran

Americana style to me is Ralph Lauren, Denim and Supply, some prep...I know, I know..but I do see preppy there...I don't see native American influence, I see chambray shirts, cowboy boots...which I adore and love,...
jeans, gingham shirts, jean jackets...
What do you see if you are say at Heathrow and see someone coming toward you and your immediate reaction is..."American...wonder where she is from?"...
It is the kind of style that is so noticed elsewhere..and so nationalized without having to wear the red, white and blue...

kkards

Veteran

hmmm, i can see how this could be very bewildering. when someone speaks of "Americana" style or vibe, i think of the same things that Joy posted. when some one speaks of an "all american style", i think of east coast preppie style.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I agree, Americana is different than American or All-American. Americana's definitely got the western and Native American influence, as well as denim, boots, etc. Lucky Brand often has items that straddle that Americana/boho border.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm not reading the other responses first, so I don't taint my initial reactions.

As an east coaster I don't think of my particular environs when I hear "Americana." Honestly, the first thing I think of is not style or fashion, but music:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americana_(music)

But applied to the world of style, the first thing I envision is sort of a Ralph Lauren style. Somewhat western-inspired, and heavy on denim and plaid, but NOT overtly cowboy. A neat, not-too-RATE casual style with some detail but not overly embellished or very boho. Maybe a style falling somewhere in between cowboy and preppy. Hmmm, just thinking out loud, really.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

OK, I've just started reading some comments, and I don't think of overtly Native American influences when I hear "Americana." I would call that style something like "southwestern."

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

American style and Americana are very different to me.

American style reads as east coast preppy to me and Americana feels much more rustic. I also associate it with the music genre.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Now I would like to hear from the Canadian crew. Are there similar gradations in Canadian styles, with different names to match?

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