There’s something irresistible about a denim shirt. Maybe it’s the delicate sheen of the mother-of-pearl clasps and the modern vintage-style fabric. Maybe it goes beyond some kind of primordial ideology, where real men fought on horseback and carried six shots. Maybe it’s as simple as wearing a shirt with snaps is a lot of fun to put on and take off.

But those with a wardrobe full of Western-style button-downs often struggle when it comes to style. Is it possible to wear a denim shirt without looking like John Wayne? Here are three tips to keep it looking modern and not like a passenger on the Oregon Trail.

3 Tips for Wearing Western Clothes in a Modern World

1. Be aware of accessories. A denim shirt should never be worn with any of the following: a bow tie, cowboy hat, cowboy boots, neckerchief, blue jeans, or spurs. A good rule of thumb is to only use one Old West influence at a time; this will keep you looking modern and not dressed up. Instead, pair your denim shirt with straight-leg or skinny jeans, a pair of sneakers, and a comfy hoodie for a vintage/modern, not Halloween, feel.

2. Keep their tails out. You may have grown up learning that tousled tails were sloppy and rude, but this is one instance where your mom’s rules don’t apply. Throwing on a denim shirt is the fastest way to transform her modern vibe into that of a cool ranch hand. To resist the urge to tuck it in, keep your denim shirt in the casual-only drawer.

3. Don’t match your jeans. It’s the oldest rule in the Western clothing book: For the love of all things fashionable, don’t match your blues. You will look silly. This is not to say that denim on denim is unacceptable, quite the contrary. But wear jeans with a darker wash than your denim shirt to avoid the “Canadian tuxedo” look.

Denim shirts are a men’s fashion staple, and for good reason. They’re flattering on everyone, comfortable, and can go from an afternoon barbecue with the guys to a night of dancing with the ladies without a problem. Just remember: use your western wisely.