This Ain’t Texas - Wait, It Isn’t?

Have you been wondering, “Is it just me, or did everyone decide to trade in their sambas and stilettos for cowboy boots and spurs?” Well, you’re not going crazy. This wild west, laid-back rancher lifestyle has been making its way into the world for some time now. 

There’s been an uproar of influencers and celebrities speaking out about their non-traditional ways of living. Most recently, we saw Bella Hadid riding around the streets of Brooklyn with her Texas boyfriend, Adan Banuelos. Architectural Digest released Yolanda Hadid’s open-door interview inside her “Modern Texas Ranch.” In that video, Yolanda preaches that she wanted to create a home where people could put their boots on the table and relax. How can someone put their shoes up on a table not 5 feet away from Hermes pillows? I’m not sure, but you get the gist. 

Almost out of nowhere, everyone and their mother (literally) want to leave their lives behind and live a laid-back life where horses are the new G Wagons, and dairy milk is the new green juice. I’m all for this way of thinking, don’t get me wrong. Working on a ranch is a popular post-grad career, and I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but a few years ago, I probably would have been. Why is that? Oh yeah, that’s how trends work. But this one just might stick. There’s been a shift away from following the herd, but where and when did it begin?

Here at The Edge, we keep a close eye on upcoming trends. So, we’re pleased that this country-style, midwestern combo is getting some recognition. I mean, we did write an entire article about one of the founders of this exact lifestyle change. 

Paige Lorenze.

If you’re still unfamiliar with Paige, check out our article about her here to catch up. From riding horses, skiing down mountains, supporting her Tennis-Pro BF and running a business, there’s nothing Paige can’t do. She can even go as far as to create trends before they become trends. 

This summer, I had the pleasure of shopping Paige’s 2nd Annual Dairy Boy pop-up in New York City. Much of Paige’s social media displays her love for the outdoors and a non-traditional way of living in your 20s. Her goal of the pop-up, but also the message she has been trying to convey from her YouTube channel and brand in general, is to bring the countryside to the city. 

The pop-up was built from scratch, painted and decorated with items ranging from baskets on the walls, candies and Paige’s favs sourced from her home in Connecticut. The merchandise was displayed, but the store still felt cozy—wicker baskets, leather chairs, layered carpets and tennis balls. It looked nothing like shopping in Soho, and as a suburban girl, I loved it.  

In Paige’s vlog of the event, she remarks,

 “It’s really for everyone in my community and the people that resonate with this sort of lifestyle… Even if they live in a city and romanticize this sort of lifestyle…or if they do live in the suburbs, just knowing that there’s not one way to live…I found myself and my true happiness when I left the city…Being able to romanticize that and turn it into a lifestyle brand is so cool…you don’t just have to live in a city in your twenties. You can live in the country, or you can live in the city and still like this style of sort of tomboy clothes and barn jackets.”

Is Paige the founder of shifting lifestyles? Maybe? We can’t say for sure, but we can agree that her platform has allowed her passion for living the way she wants to spread into the minds of others. Now, more than ever, people realize they don’t have to live life a certain way. The masses are realizing they have a choice. Sure, stepping outside of what everyone is doing is scary. But do you know what’s scarier? Not living the life of your dreams. 

“The contrast of what Dairy Boy stands for, being in Manhattan…I think is really cool…You’re stepping into a space that’s completely different.”

And that different space may be exactly what we all need. 

We’re not sheep. We’re not meant to be herded into a corner and told to stay there for the rest of our lives. We are the cowboys on the back of a horse with a lasso. We are in control of our own lives and futures. Paige Lorenze might just be the spark that gets us to see that simple truth. The Hadids have followed suit, and the rest of the world will soon see that life isn’t meant to be lived one way. We have a choice; we have free will. 

So, all of you readers concerned with post-grad plans or traditional college schedules, just know that at the end of the day, you choose the path to ride down. So saddle up, tip your hat and ride off into the sunset. Yee-haw ;)

Photo Credits: @PaigeLorenze and @BellaHadid