A cowgirl is a woman who works with cattle and horses on ranches in the American West—the female equivalent of a cowboy. More broadly, the word also refers to rodeo riders, heroines of Wild West shows and western films, and, today, a distinctive way of dressing: cowboy boots, a hat, a western shirt and jeans.
Behind the image is a real history, with names, dates and a few tragedies. Here’s where the cowgirl came from, how she became an icon, and how to wear her style in 2026.
Cowgirl: Definition and Word Origin
The English word cowgirl combines cow and girl, following the pattern of cowboy. Strictly speaking, a cowgirl (also sometimes written as “cow girl” or called a “cowboy girl”) is a woman who tends, gathers and cares for cattle on horseback. More broadly, she’s the female figure of western culture, whether she’s a rancher, rodeo champion, country singer or simply a fan of the style.
The word was already in use in English in the 1880s, but it took on its modern meaning in the late 19th century, when women from ranching families began performing in public. The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture sums it up well: the word was in use, but Lucille Mulhall brought it to national attention. More on her below.
In English, we say “cowgirl,” and the plural is “cowgirls.” The word needs no translation: “cowhand” exists, but it doesn’t evoke the American West, its wide-open spaces or the look associated with a western cowgirl.
Cowboy and Cowgirl: The Same Life, Not the Same Status
On paper, the difference between a cowboy and a cowgirl is gender. In practice, women on ranches often did the same work as men: riding horses, branding calves, mending fences and driving herds. They also took care of the home, without receiving the same recognition as cowboys.
That context matters. The American West was also ahead of its time when it came to some rights: Wyoming Territory granted women the right to vote in 1869, well before the rest of the United States. The cowgirl emerged in a tough society where a woman capable of running a ranch could earn a place she might not have had in the East.
Wild West Shows Bring the First Stars to the Stage
By the late 19th century, the West was putting on a show. Wild West shows—travelling performances featuring shooting, riding, roping and re-enactments—toured the United States and then Europe. For the first time, women demonstrated their riding skills in public, and audiences loved it.
Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill’s Sharpshooter
Born in Ohio in 1860, Annie Oakley joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in 1885 with her husband, sharpshooter Frank Butler. A year earlier, Lakota leader Sitting Bull had nicknamed her “Little Sure Shot.” The name stuck.
She performed at the 1889 Paris World’s Fair, among other events, and left the troupe for good in 1901 after a train accident. Annie Oakley wasn’t a cattle rancher, but she helped establish the image of a woman of the West: skilled, independent and able to outdo men on their own turf.
Lucille Mulhall, the First “Cowgirl”
Lucille Mulhall was born in 1885 on her family’s ranch in Mulhall, Oklahoma. In 1899, she began performing in her father’s Wild West show, handling a lasso and roping steers as capably as the cowboys. She later became a star in the Miller brothers’ 101 Ranch Wild West Show.
She’s most often introduced as the first woman to be called a “cowgirl”. According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Theodore Roosevelt supposedly gave her the nickname after seeing her ride at the Mulhall ranch. The story often told alongside it—that she roped a wolf to impress the future president—is more legend than established fact.
What is certain is her career: Lucille Mulhall started her own troupe in 1913, produced her own rodeo in 1916 and was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1977, long after her death in 1940.
Women’s Rodeo: From a Golden Age to a Ban
At the beginning of the 20th century, women moved beyond show acts. They entered the arena to compete, including in some of the most dangerous events, such as bronc riding.
Prairie Rose Henderson and the Pioneers
Prairie Rose Henderson is considered the first woman to compete in bronc riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. Sources differ on the year—1899 or 1901—but not on what she did: she opened the door for a generation of women riders.
Among them was Fannie Sperry Steele, crowned champion bronc rider at the Winnipeg Stampede in 1913. By the turn of the century, women riders were adopting divided riding skirts, split so they could ride astride rather than sidesaddle. This practical detail already hinted at the cowgirl wardrobe to come.
1929: The Death of Bonnie McCarroll
Bonnie McCarroll was one of rodeo’s biggest stars in the 1920s. A regular at Oregon’s Pendleton Round-Up since 1915, she won the saddle bronc title two years in a row, in 1921 and 1922. In 1922, she also won at Madison Square Garden in New York and at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
On September 19, 1929, at the Pendleton Round-Up, she was thrown by a horse named Black Cat. She suffered serious head injuries and died eleven days later, at age 32. It was meant to be her last competition before retirement.
The shock was immense. Women’s bronc riding was dropped from Pendleton’s programme, and women were gradually excluded from rough stock events (bucking horses and bulls), which were considered too dangerous. Other factors played a part, including the rise of rodeos run by East Coast promoters, but the accident remains a symbol of this setback.
1948: Cowgirls Form Their Own Association
Rather than wait for someone to give them back a place, women riders organized. On February 28, 1948, 38 women met in San Angelo, Texas, and founded the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA). In 1981, it became the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).
The association describes itself as the oldest women’s sports organization in the United States and the only one run entirely by women. Today, it oversees barrel racing, a speed event in which riders race around three barrels that has become the signature event for cowgirls.
The Hollywood and Country Music Cowgirl
In film and on the radio, the cowgirl took on a new look. She became a popular heroine: cheerful and musical, in embroidered outfits that still inspire fashion today.
Dale Evans, “Queen of the West”
Born in 1912, Dale Evans made her first film alongside Roy Rogers in 1944, The Cowboy and the Senorita. The duo became legendary: he was the “King of the Cowboys,” and she was the “Queen of the West”. They married on December 31, 1947.
From 1951 to 1957, the couple starred in the television series The Roy Rogers Show. Dale Evans wrote its theme song, “Happy Trails.” She was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1995 and died in 2001. Her embroidered, fringed western stage outfits helped define the glamorous cowgirl image.
Patsy Montana and “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart”
In 1935, singer Patsy Montana recorded “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” a lively song in which she yodels about wanting to live the western life. It made her the first female country artist to sell a million records.
That success matters in the history of the cowgirl: it showed that a woman could carry the western spirit on her own, on stage and on record. Patsy Montana was inducted into Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
The Cowgirl Today: From Beyoncé to Coastal Cowgirl
The cowgirl never left ranches or rodeos, but in recent years she’s made a strong comeback in popular culture and fashion. The modern cowboy and cowgirl of 2026 wear cowboy boots in the city as well as at festivals. And on ranches and in arenas, many women riders continue the work, far removed from trends.
A Museum Dedicated to Cowgirls
Cowgirls’ stories have long been less carefully preserved than cowboys’ stories. To change that, a museum began in 1975 on a modest scale, in the basement of the Deaf Smith County Library in Hereford, Texas.
The collection moved to Fort Worth in 1994, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame opened its current building in the city’s Cultural District on June 9, 2002. Every year, it honours women who embody the spirit of the West: ranchers, rodeo champions, artists and pioneers from other walks of life.
If you’re in Texas, it’s worth a visit. Its objects and archives are a reminder that the cowgirl isn’t a fictional character.
“Cowboy Carter,” the Album That Brought It All Back
On March 29, 2024, Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter, an album that reimagines country music and its conventions. It debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, a first for a Black woman. On February 2, 2025, it won the Grammy for Album of the Year and Best Country Album.
Beyond the music, the album is a reminder of a reality that’s often overlooked: the American West has never been exclusively white, and the history of Black cowboys and cowgirls is part of the culture. In fashion, its imagery brought hats, fringe and cowboy boots back into the spotlight.
Cowgirlcore and Coastal Cowgirl
On social media, cowgirl style has branched out into several “aesthetics.” Cowgirlcore means wearing the cowgirl look day to day and owning it: cowboy boots, a hat, jeans, a western shirt, silver jewellery and turquoise.
Coastal cowgirl, popularized on TikTok in 2023 as an offshoot of “coastal grandmother,” pairs western details with a seaside mood: light dresses, sand and white tones, a straw hat and pale cowboy boots. We explore it in our complete guide to coastal cowgirl style.
There are plenty of variations in between, from rodeo glam to western boho. To find yours, read our article on western substyles and different cowgirl looks.
The Cowgirl Look, Piece by Piece
Cowgirl style grew out of work: every piece had a purpose before it became a signature. That’s what makes it so easy to wear—you just need to understand what each item does. Here are the pieces that make up a western cowgirl outfit.
Cowboy Boots
They’re the foundation. The angled heel keeps your foot from sliding through the stirrup, the tall shaft protects your leg and the pointed toe helps you slip your foot into the stirrup quickly. For your first pair, choose brown or black leather that goes with everything. Our women’s cowboy boots range from classic styles to more festive embroidered boots.
The Cowboy Hat
The hat protected you from sun and rain. Today, it’s the piece that instantly defines a look. Wear felt in fall and winter, and straw in warmer weather. A women’s cowboy hat with a medium brim suits most faces.
The Western Shirt
Recognizable by its pointed shoulder yoke and snap buttons, the western shirt became popular in the mid-20th century, during the era of singing cowboys on screen. Wear it open over a tank top, tied at the waist or tucked into jeans—it’s incredibly versatile. Browse our range of women’s western shirts.
Jeans
Dark or lightly faded jeans in a straight-leg or bootcut fit are the most authentic choice, as they sit neatly over the shaft of cowboy boots. You can also tuck skinny jeans into your boots for a more urban look.
The Belt and Buckle
A tooled leather belt, often finished with a large buckle, calls to mind rodeo trophies. It defines your silhouette and gives a simple pair of jeans some character. Choose a women’s western belt that matches the colour of your cowboy boots.
Jewellery and the Bandana
Silver and turquoise are classic western pairings, found in rings, cuff bracelets and necklaces. The bandana was originally used to keep dust away; tied around your neck, it adds a pop of colour. Complete your look with our western jewellery.
If you want a complete outfit without putting every piece together yourself, our cowgirl outfit section brings together dresses, vests, jackets and ready-to-wear sets.
Three Ways to Wear Cowgirl Style
- Everyday: straight-leg jeans, a white T-shirt, brown cowboy boots and a subtle buckle belt. You get the look without feeling like you’re in costume.
- For a festival or country night out: a floral dress or ruffled skirt, light-coloured cowboy boots, a hat and a few silver pieces.
- For a full look: an embroidered western shirt, bootcut jeans, cowboy boots, a felt hat and a bandana. A confident nod to cowgirls on screen.
Mistakes That Make the Look Feel Like a Costume
The classic trap is piling on every piece at once: a hat, fringe, a plaid shirt, a vest, a bandana and a big buckle. The result looks more like a costume party than a western cowgirl outfit. Stick to one or two statement pieces and keep the rest simple.
Another common mistake is overlooking the fit of your cowboy boots. A western boot should hold your instep. Your heel may slip a little at first, but your toes should never feel squeezed in the pointed toe. Finally, coordinate your leather: keeping your belt and boots in the same colour family is enough to pull the outfit together.
Timeline: Key Dates in Cowgirl History
This table brings together the key dates mentioned in the article, from women’s right to vote in Wyoming to the 2025 Grammy Awards.
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1869 | Wyoming grants women the right to vote | The West becomes a place of opportunity for women on ranches |
| 1885 | Annie Oakley joins Buffalo Bill’s Wild West | First female star of the Wild West shows |
| 1899 | Lucille Mulhall debuts in her family’s Wild West show | The woman often introduced as the first “cowgirl” |
| 1899 or 1901 | Prairie Rose Henderson rides a bucking horse in Cheyenne | Women enter rodeo events |
| 1913 | Fannie Sperry Steele wins at the Winnipeg Stampede | The golden age of women’s bronc riding |
| 1929 | Bonnie McCarroll dies at the Pendleton Round-Up | Women begin to be excluded from rough stock events |
| 1935 | Patsy Montana records “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart” | First million-selling record by a female country artist |
| 1944 | Dale Evans’s first film with Roy Rogers | The “Queen of the West” is born |
| 1948 | Girls Rodeo Association founded | Cowgirls organize their own rodeo association |
| 1975 | Cowgirl museum established in Hereford, Texas | Their history finally has a museum |
| 1981 | The GRA becomes the WPRA | Women’s rodeo becomes more professional |
| 2002 | Museum building opens in Fort Worth | The National Cowgirl Museum finds a permanent home |
| 2024 | Beyoncé releases Cowboy Carter | Cowgirl style makes a major return to pop culture |
| 2025 | Cowboy Carter wins Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards | Country music and its conventions reach the top of the music world |
Cowgirl FAQ
What Is a Cowgirl? What’s the Definition?
A cowgirl is a woman who works on horseback with cattle on ranches in the American West. The word also refers to rodeo riders and, more broadly, women who wear western style. She’s the female equivalent of a cowboy.
What’s the Difference Between a Cowboy and a Cowgirl?
The work is the same: riding horses, gathering and caring for cattle, and maintaining the ranch. The difference is mainly historical: cowgirls received less recognition for a long time and were excluded from the most dangerous rodeo events after 1929. They responded by forming their own association in 1948.
Who Was the First Cowgirl?
Lucille Mulhall (1885–1940), from Oklahoma, is most often introduced as the first woman to be called a “cowgirl,” a nickname attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. Before her, Annie Oakley had already made the woman of the West famous through Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, but as a sharpshooter rather than a cattle rider.
How Do You Dress Like a Cowgirl?
Start with the basics: cowboy boots, straight-leg or bootcut jeans, a western shirt and a leather belt with a buckle. Add a cowboy hat, a few silver and turquoise pieces, or a bandana, depending on the occasion. Two or three well-chosen western pieces work better than a full costume.
Is It “Cowgirl” or “Cow-Girl”?
Both spellings exist in English. The hyphenated form “cow-girl” still appears in some dictionaries, while “cowgirl,” written as one word, is the spelling standardized in 1990 and the most common today. The plural is “cowgirls”; “cow girl,” written as two words, is a common mistake.
What Do Cowgirlcore and Coastal Cowgirl Mean?
Cowgirlcore refers to wearing cowgirl style day to day, with cowboy boots, a hat, a western shirt and jewellery. Coastal cowgirl, popularized on TikTok in 2023, blends these details with a seaside mood: light colours, airy dresses, a straw hat and white or beige cowboy boots.
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN): Cowgirl
- Oklahoma Historical Society, The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture: Mulhall, Lucille
- Wikipedia (EN): Annie Oakley
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Breaking Trail: Bonnie McCarroll
- Wikipedia (EN): Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
- Wikipedia (EN): National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
- Wikipedia (EN): Patsy Montana
- Wikipedia (EN): Cowboy Carter
