The Country Music Awards are right around the corner and they’ve got us in a country frame of mind. Lead singer of the two-time nominated band Little Big Town Karen Fairchild brought her cowgirl boots to Chicago Oct. 28 for the release of Fair Child, her new clothing line for Macy’s (835 N. Michigan). We sat down with the country music sweetheart to talk about her collection — which features pieces like fringe shawls, suede leggings and beaded blouses — and the surprising ways she styles her own look.

SPLASH: Have you always had an interest in fashion design? 

KAREN FAIRCHILD: I remember buying clogs and knee-highs when I was in middle school and thinking, “Wow, I look good today.” We all have those moments of creativity that we express ourselves through. [It was] fashion and music for me, and they go hand-in-hand. There’s something about songwriting and building an outfit that’s really similar. If I’m standing on stage and I feel good in what I have on, I feel confident and powerful. It started off as buying fabric and patterns with my mom, and then having clothes made.

S: What inspired your line?

KF: Music, the fans, the way I live and like to dress. A very high-low mix – something luxurious [paired] with a T-shirt I grabbed out of my husband’s closet, or ripped denim and a biker jacket. I like the lived-in feeling of finding jewelry [when I’m] on the road. I like “found” and vintage [pieces], and Nashville girls do that really well. We have a great heritage there … It’s the fun of pulling that high-low [look] together that Nashville girls do really well.

S: What’s your favorite piece from the collection?

KF: The faux fur oxblood jacket [$149] I love the glamour of it and I like to wear it with old Levi’s. I also love the biker jackets [$119]. We did them in a traditional black and also in an off-white cream that’s unexpected, easy to wear and vegan.

S: What’s your go-to outfit for when you don’t know what to wear? 

KF: I pick out my favorite boot and my favorite denim and start there. Then I grab a great belt and then it’s all about an [overcoat] for me. You can easily put your favorite denim and favorite tee-shirt and find a “wow” jacket. That’s why the collection has so many [coats] in it. Whether it’s a biker jacket, a faux fur jacket or a butterfly jacket you can wear them with anything – fashion lives and dies with a [coat].

S: What’s your best fashion tip?

KF: Don’t be afraid to mix up different [pieces]. People take fashion too seriously — it should have personality and spirit.