How Yellowstone’s John Dutton and Beth Dutton keep it real in clothes that fit their characters and the top-rated US show’s Montana ranch setting
- Befitting a show set in rural Montana, the clothes in Yellowstone are practical, functional and full of essentials that make the foundation of a great wardrobe
- Kevin Costner and the other male stars wear double denim, custom cowboy hats and boots, while the women wear sheepskin coats, tank tops, ponchos and jeans
Shows like Emily in Paris and Succession may get all the attention when it comes to fancy fashion, but if you’re looking for actual style pointers that you can put to good use, you’d be hard pressed to find a better show than Yellowstone.
Starring Kevin Costner as John Dutton, a wealthy rancher in the US state of Montana, Yellowstone focuses on Dutton and his grown-up children’s efforts to keep the land they’ve owned for more than a century as they battle encroaching forces such as developers and environmentalists.
Costume designer Johnetta Boone does an excellent job at staying true to the characters’ personalities in selecting costumes that make sense and keep it real.
Played by British actress Kelly Reilly, Beth Dutton, John’s foul-mouthed, chain-smoking corporate raider daughter, is the main female character in Yellowstone, the most watched series on US cable television in 2021. Her wardrobe – a mix of wrap dresses, pantsuits and chic blouses paired with pencil skirts – reflects what working women in their thirties wear to work every day without sacrificing style or femininity.
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While Beth makes a reference to Gucci in a scene from season four and is a fan of La Mer’s luxurious Crème de la Mer moisturising cream (visible on her bathroom shelf in another scene), designer fashion plays no role in the series. Instead, historic brands with wide appeal such as Levi’s, Carhart and Wrangler reign supreme.
Beth’s alpha female style is a counterpoint to the more relaxed vibe of John’s daughter-in-law Monica, played by US actress Kelsey Asbille. She is also a fan of denim separates and looks great when pairing them with wardrobe staples like white tank tops and cosy sheepskin coats.
Like other characters in the film, Monica is of Native American descent and her style is influenced by traditional crafts. She is often clad in beautiful cardigans featuring Native American patterns.
Turquoise jewellery, another key element of Native American culture, often adorns Beth and other characters.
The guys, meanwhile, can make fashion faux pas such as denim on denim (also known as the Texan tuxedo) look far from costume-y, and demonstrate how a rancher’s jacket paired with a pair of jeans can look great, no matter your age.
They also accessorise with aplomb, from the custom hats created by Colorado-based outfitter Greeley Hat Works to the belt buckles that figure prominently in many pivotal moments of the series.
Another brand riding on the success of the show is Wrangler, a workwear company established in North Carolina in 1904. The Wrangler x Yellowstone collection includes items such as Sherpa-lined denim jackets and chambray shirts emblazoned with the ranch’s signature Y seal.
No piece of clothing in the series, however, screams fashion or style. The garments worn by the characters reflect the authenticity of life on a ranch, where clothes are meant to withstand the wear and tear of hard work and the elements, and to last for years – a welcome change from the trendy outfits that tend to dominate television.
Yellowstone is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video outside the US.
