Cowboy Boots
Cowboy
boots are like jeans --- they have crossed the fashion barrier to
become a classic piece of apparel --- for both men and women.
They
come in all kind of shapes and sizes, and can cost anything from a
hundred dollars to many thousands. In some areas, cowboy boots are
regarded as a status symbol.
They may be crafted from many
different types of leather, and can have all kinds of add-ons, like
fancy embroidery, gold, gems and even diamonds. Often taking up to a
year to make, bespoke cowboy boots are a true investment.
But
the origins of the basic cowboy boots are humble, again, much as blue
jeans. Following the American Civil War, many soldiers who had taken
part were without jobs, and many turned to being cowboys. Less than
ideal, their clothing was similar to that which they wore during their
military service.
The boots were made at this time with a wide
rounded toe. This was not well suited to much time spent in the saddle
on horseback. Narrow pointy toes would allow the cowboys to get their
toes quickly and easily into the stirrups. Under-slung forward sloping
heel, which helped keep the foot in the stirrup, became the hallmark of
true working cowboy boots. And whilst these boots were perfect for many
hours horseback riding, they were not easy to walk in.
A really
good working pair of cowboy boots were, and still are, considered so
important to cowboys, that often two or three months wages would be
spent on having a custom pair made to their exact requirements. And
once these boots were “broken in”, they would increase in value to the
individual, and truly be indispensable.
The entertainment industry and movies in particular, have always led
fashion. The first wave of popularity for wearing Western inspired
clothing came with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and silent film star
Tom Mix in the early 1900’s. After that came the popular dude ranches
and rodeos after World War II. Then came “Electric Horseman” (1979) and
“Urban Cowboy”(1980), which stimulated and renewed interest. More
recently, western inspired clothing and cowboy boots have been given
another boost by film and sport stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Jessica Simpson, Carl Malone, Brittney Spears, and Sandra Bullock.
Cowboy boots are very versatile. They can be dressed up, worn with an
evening gown and jewels, or your best tux. They may also be completely
understated, worn with jeans and sweatshirt. As classic cowboy boots
are usually made of leather, they will usually last for a very long
time, making them a true investment in anyone’s wardrobe. If you own a
pair of classic cowboy boots, you will never be out of style.

















