Joelle, The OG Coastal Cowgirl

The coastal cowgirl trend has been catching fire lately! Our OG Coastal Cowgirl, Joelle, is from Kauai'i and is loving all the aloha influence she's seeing everywhere!

Please explain who you are, where you’re from, and your love for the islands.

"My name is Joelle Alohalani Tafoya! I am from Hawaii, born and raised on the beautiful island of Kauai'i Hawaii. I truly believe I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world surrounded by lush greenery and the Western paniolo lifestyle.  Kauai is a very unique island from Mauka to Makai (mountains to the sea). It's more then just the beauty that makes my love for my home very special; it's the people of Hawaii who are very hard working and full of the Aloha Spirit and always open to lend a helping hand and never expect anything back. Thats what makes Hawaii so special. 

What does coastal cowgirl style mean to you?

"Coastal Cowgirl is a LIFESTYLE here in Hawaii! Riding horses on the beach on the edge of the ocean after a long day of work to unwind while listening to country music with my phone in my back pocket in shorts or pants with and a bikini top soaking up all the sunlight before it gets dark is the first thing I think about when I hear the phrase Coastal Cowgirl. it's my favorite thing to do, especially during golden hour here in Hawaii. 

"Coastal cowgirl here on the islands is bikinis, boots, and shorts, which is what most girls wear in Hawaii everyday. Sometimes they'll add a fringe jacket or coverup, a cute pair of shades and of course a cowgirl hat to dress it up if you want to. It can also be wearing my favorite bikini under a pair of western jeans or denim shorts thinking we may or may not jump into the ocean after taking care of our horses. Wearing a bikini top and jeans riding horse on the beach has been the trending style for decades here in Hawaii. I remember riding down to the beach after long rodeo days, tying the horses up and going for a dip in our bikinis. Sometimes we would ride bareback with just our suits on taking the horses for a dip as well. That always was and still is how most Hawaii cowgirls do it on the islands. 

Why do you think it’s gaining a resurgence in popularity?

"Honestly I feel like that's just how it is in the fashion world. It's always changing, I am already thinking ahead and planning waterfall cowgirl next haha…but I still find it kind of funny that it's an actual  trend because this style is what I've known my whole life growing up in Hawaii. I really to do appreciate seeing different takes to the trend around the world. For me It was a cool niche that I haven’t seen yet in the western industry and it really set me apart from most influencers. We really do have the best of both worlds with the western lifestyle and the beaches and I wanted to share that. I feel so accomplished seeing this trend and seeing brands jump on it.  

What would you love to see happen with this trend?

 "I would love to see it stick around for sure, and would love to see more western brands jump on it and create Hawaiian tropical pieces that showcases the paniolo lifestyle. I would like to see brands using real people from Hawaii in any tropical campaigns as well. I feel like there’s so much unknown about Hawaii that it could be a great way to break into our paniolo culture. Can’t get any more authentic then that!

What have you loved seeing so far about this trend?

"I love seeing how fashion influencers have their own take on the coastal cowgirl trend. Last year I did a photoshoot in Vegas with The Saddle Shop Swim suits in the red mountains and was a little hesitant because, well, there was no beach or waterfall for me to jump into. I didn’t know how others would see it, but to see more of that now, it really makes my heart happy to see more of my island style.

What do you think is important for brands and mainland influencers to keep in mind when creating or wearing the coastal style?

"Be authentic in location as much as possible; coastal means coastline or seashore. It's where the land meets the ocean. When you're creating that coastal cowgirl look, use real beaches or coastlines for your shoots as much as possible in your shoots.

"I also think that Mainland brands and influencers should keep in mind that coastal cowgirl is a regular, normal, everyday look to most island cowgirls, minus the extra bling and all.  I also think that crediting our lifestyle and recognizing our island cowboy and cowgirl culture is cool and important to us if planning on shooting here in Hawaii or replicating the islands' look. I am currently working with a western brand that is shooting a summer campaign here on Kauai and they are including our Hawaii cowboys and cowgirls to keep it authentic and the locals love that for sure." -Joelle, The Aloha Cowgirl