Reddit mentions of Hunter Original Tall Welly Boot

Hey there! I happen to draw a lot from Americana in my own style, so hopefully I can suggest some things you'll like~

Boots - this is the root of the style, imo. The difference between a punk inspried flannel and jeans and Americana-inspired flannel and jeans is in the boots. Look for an attractive workwear-inspired style. I own the Wolverine 1k Miles, which are out of your price range but should give you an idea of the style to look for. The Vintage Shoe Company makes some good boots that you can find on sale a little more easily, so does Danner, and even classic Timbs can be cool. You're not necessarily looking for an actual work boot, here, but something that looks like a cleaner version of a classic work boot style. I view my boots as my foundation piece, so definitely consider spending more on boots/saving up until you can afford the pair you like best. If you get a well-constructed boot (welted sole, durable high-quality leather, etc.) it can also double as a functional boot - I wouldn't ride in my W1KMs or muck out gross stalls in them, but I would feel totally comfortable doing chores around the yard, light hiking/trail walking, and other outdoor, potentially-dirty tasks.

What you absolutely do not want are busy modern hiking boots.

Jeans - One or two pairs of sturdy jeans in a skinny or slim cut, depending on your preferences, is enough. Jeans don't need to be babied, can go forever without washing (I wash mine only when they're totally stretched out), and look good with like every style. The FFA recommendation is to get an unfaded dark indigo wash, which will totally work. I would get a pair like this first. I will say that, as you're looking for a slightly more rugged/rural style, you should feel free to consider a second pair in a medium or light wash, so long as it is unfaded and undistressed. That means no tears, fraying, whiskering around the hips/knees, or lighter splotches of color on the fabric. These tend to be badly done. Levi's is a great place to start, but you should also do some reading over at /r/rawdenim and see if raw jeans appeal to you.

The most important part is fit - don't settle for jeans that stretch out too much or are too long or tight or whatever. You'll live in these things, so make them worthwhile.

Denim/Chambray - I have to admit I'm a total nut for denim and chambray anything, but especially shirts and jackets. Take a look at the styles here for starters - you might consider buying a denim or chambray button-up, a denim jacket, or even a denim vest. Chambray button-ups are very versatile and pretty popular right now, so they're really easy to find. But once you have a safe option, don't be afraid to try something a little crazy.

When wearing denim or chambray on top and bottom, be careful to wear distinctly different shades. Too close and you can end up in 'Canadian tuxedo' or 'denim jumpsuit' territory.

Flannel - this is an area I have not yet delved into, honestly. But a classic red flannel and a few other colors fit thematically with everything else here, so totes pick some up. I don't have great brand recs or examples pics, though. =(

Outerwear - You'll probably want about three different pieces of outerwear - a light jacket, a rain jacket, and a winter coat.

Light jacket: Consider a denim jacket or vest, as mentioned above. But another alternative is a barn jacket. (Also try searching for 'field jacket' and 'chore coat,' for similar styles) The ideal jacket is something kind of rough looking that is oversized enough to fit a sweater underneath, but not so big as to drown you. If it's washable, that's even better, so you can just soak it after a weekend at the barn and have it be clean in time for classes.

Rain Jacket: I'm a fan of parkas. Penfield sells some more cool styles, too, though I would avoid their bright colors. I prefer rain coats that cover my butt, but short ones are fine. Similarly to the light jackets, look for something that is purposefully a little oversized, for layering, but a relatively simple design (that is, not too tech-y or modern). Muted neutrals are cool. Get one with a goddamn hood.

Also consider some rain boots if your area gets a lot of rain - style isn't super important here, but I've linked two very popular pairs for you to take a look at.

Winter Coat: Wool. This is not the season for wool coats, so I don't have great product links, but wool coats are by far my favorites. I would buy a long coat, one that covers the butt, with a collar but no hood. Shop around for this, because good wool coats are expensive at full price but can be had for cheap late in the season. If you're not a fan of wool, something in the style of a quilted down barn jacket is also neat.

Sweaters - Think a big, chunky, cableknit sweater or cardigan. Layer with everything for maximum warmth and coziness. I'm a fan of 100% wool items, so I encourage you to consider that, but you'll see all sorts of cableknit sweaters when it cools down again in the fall. Again, consider a sweater that is not form-fitting, but rather one that skims your body. Pendleton makes some awesome woolens, and really cool western patterns, too, so their winter selection is something to keep in mind.

Misc Tops - Think 'body-skimming' and 'loose fit' when you're buying tops. The shoulder seams should still be close to your actual shoulders, but the body can loosely hang off of your curves, rather than clinging to them. I personally love Everlane tees, though any airy t-shirt will do. Muscle tees and loose tanks are the warm-weather version of this. Details like cuffed sleeves, racerbacks, and breast pockets can give an interesting little twist to an otherwise 'plain' shirt.

Other Shoes - Beater sneakers are great for walking and lazy days. Anything from plimsolls like Vans to even sportier shoes can be cool. I do think low-tops are a better stylistic fit than hi-tops, and really sporty things like (most) Nikes can be hard to reconcile with Americana. You could certainly wear Nike Frees with a tee and jeans, but they're probably not going to look great with jeans, flannel, and a barn coat.

Sandals are also worth getting if you're somewhere hot. Something chunky like Birks could be cool and totally college appropriate, but these are by far the least defined piece of footwear. The only things I would particularly avoid are thin-strapped, very feminine sandals.

Etc. - Get yourself a nice leather belt.

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I didn't want to come across as too prescriptive, but I think I totally failed that. If you take anything away from this post, let it be that fit is key: in almost every category, you should look for items that are loose, not overly fitted, but not too big*. Americana is about items we perceive as 'classic' workwear pieces, and workwear is traditionally worn loose. You don't want to get lost in a coat that's 2 sizes too large, but you're not aiming for a 'feminine' fit, either.

Thanks so much for giving me a chance to ramble. I hope this was at least somewhat useful. If you have any more questions at all, please ask me - I don't get to talk about this much, lol. Good luck!