Jenna Paulette’s got a lot of new beginnings to celebrate — new album, new clothing line, and new baby. The country singer shares the inspiration behind the CowboyGirl collection.
“I feel the most like myself when I’m horseback,” country artist Jenna Paulette says with a grin.
We sit across from each other in downtown Nashville at Acme Feed & Seed, once a feedstore that now has a second life as a sprawling honky tonk. Paulette traveled from her home in West Texas to celebrate two career milestones: the release of her sophomore album, Horseback, and her new rangewear collection with Ely Cattleman. She is also approaching a personal milestone as she is due with her first baby imminently.
Donning a boot-skimming floral dress, a self-designed denim jacket hugging her shoulders, turquoise on her wrists, and a black felt cowboy hat — she radiates cowgirl. Or, as she smartly calls her style (and skillset), ‘cowboy-girl.’ “When I’m working, I’m cowboying. At times cowgirl can be overly feminized. Where the word cowboy is often associated with work, you’re out there doing a job. There’s a capability that comes along with calling yourself a cowboy-girl.”
A sentiment seemingly shared with the hundreds of attendees at the event in honor of her new album and clothing line. CowboyGirl is even the title of the collection, which is a marriage between beauty and practicality. Her childhood ranching with her grandfather in Thackerville, Oklahoma, was the impetus for both her clothing line and her career. Long days choring while singing gave her the confidence to pursue music professionally — all the while never forgetting how lacking the workwear offered to females in ag and ranching was in her younger years.
“The women’s Western fashion when I was growing up wasn’t functional. I often wore my granddaddy’s pearl snaps and other menswear. I wanted something made to fit a woman that was feminine but functional. If I could design something like that, I would be proud to wear it.” So she did, along with Ely Cattleman’s head designer of over 20 years, Amy Kinkle. “It was apparent from day one how crystal clear Jenna’s vision was,” Kinkle shared at the launch. “She had thought through every single detail, from color palette to creating a vintage feel. For example, we didn’t use bright white; we used ecru. Even the hang tags and labels were meticulously thought out. She’s as authentic as they come and a true working cowgirl.”
Paulette’s decades of handling livestock and later riding horses gave her a deep understanding of what working women need in their clothing. Her list was very specific. “I wanted a slightly tailored shirt that still had a longer tail to tuck in, a pen holder and pocket that works, and enough room in my shoulder to swing a rope.” Her line ticks the boxes for all those requirements but was also designed through the lens of a vintage aesthetic. Woven gingham fabrics, patchworking, and cross-stitched wildflowers give the practical line a softer feel. “Everything has intention. It’s ranchy AF granddaddy core,” Paulette adds with a smirk.
This intention permeates to her album, Horseback, an album that was fittingly conceived in the saddle. “Many of the song ideas were brought to me in the saddle or while completing other ranch chores. “Prairie Primrose” specifically came to me while I was pushing bulls. I was trotting back and forth and singing ‘Prairie primrose, prairie primrose. You don’t worry about nothing, prettiest thing, ain’t a care in the world.’”
Many of the songs on Horseback are heavily influenced by her ranch life and work, independent of her touring life on the road. And what a good salve for the dazzling yet demanding lifestyle of a country musician. Like artists before her (George Strait, Reba McEntire, Cody Johnson) cowboying is what keeps her grounded and energizes her music. The good and the bad, life outside is one of our best teachers. From stories of narrowly escaping wrecks in the branding pen to being dropped off in a jig line in an 8,000-acre pasture to navigating rough Texas terrain, that (along with the stage) is where she feels most at home. “I’m a better writer, a better friend, and will probably be a better mom because I work with horses. It’s also time for myself. Sometimes, I’ll ride out at 5:30 in the morning and watch the sunrise, and nobody can reach me. That’s a gift.”
This message is clearly shared in her new song “Outside,” with lyrics like, “If you wanna get to know me on the inside, see my best side, get me outside.” As I look around Acme Feed & Seed at the hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Horseback and the rangewear collection, it’s obvious the cowboy-girl mentality is resonating with folks. Country artists like Ashley McBryde and The Castellows warmly congratulate Paulette while attendees lineup to feel and try on the beautiful western shirts. At the end of the evening, Paulette joins a few of her co-writers and musicians for a mini songwriters round to share a few songs from the new album. Masterfully singing tunes like “The Devil’s an Angel,” eight months pregnant, she clearly has the work ethic and story to have a career that sticks — especially if she makes time to get horseback.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Kiley Cude @theroamingcoyote
