Howdy Darling! O what a lovely boot!
Beloved by cattle ranchers in Mexico and celebrities across Europe, there may not be a farther reaching yet more niche and desirable subgenre of footwear. Even Ralph Lauren, who is from the Bronx, is completely enamoured with this timeless piece of western fashion. It’s not only the boot, but the cowgirl boot, that I am referring to. It’s practical enough to wear in the operating room, but extravagant and playful enough to shuffle across dance floors and music festivals.
One thing is for certain - the cowgirl boot is personal. There are millions of possibilities, the important choices of material, color, stitching, and even toe shape seem enormous when searching for a pair to*hopefully* wear for life.
Stitching - not only on the shaft, but incorporated throughout the boot using piping, can be an interesting way to add detail to an otherwise plain boot. This vintage pair of Tony Lamas does exactly that, with white lace details on the toe and heel. Feminine yet edgy, these are a great little pair of cowgirl boots with a big personality.
Where you might usually see long fringe or detached boot straps, these 2018 Isabel Marant suede boots have it all and more. Their trimmed fringe and attached pink stone boot straps make them an absolutely perfect statement boot. However, with such a low heel, they’re a bold look you could comfortably wear anywhere, even a long weekend of wandering through a music festival. Not to mention the vibrant geometric stitching, which enhances their already bohemian vibe.
Exploring different colors - or color combinations - adds yet another layer to picking out your perfect cowgirl boots. A two tone boot is a fun way to have a little bit of both, and these Fraulein Boot Company Gameday Cowgirl boots are a perfect example. The color contrast where white meets the orange also highlights the pointed crown shape, a beautifully western feature of the boot.
There are a lot of ways to add some flash to your boot, and these Free People Brayden Western Boots come with some already. The steel toe not only protects the front of your boot, but also adds an interesting detail with the stylized edge and engraved design. They would pair well with silver and turquoise!
Layering isn’t just for the wintertime. By using different colors and leathers, images can be made on the shafts of cowgirl boots. These Faye Cowgirl & Horse Underlay Boots are a great example, using layered tan and black leather to depict a bucking bronco - perfect for a weekend at the rodeo.
Who doesn’t like a little fur? What these Ann Gaucho Boots lack in silhouette, they make up for in texture. The cowhide creates exciting dimensions in any outfit, naturally pulling a western look together. Rugged yet chic, don’t worry if they get a little dusty - brushing them off will do just fine.
Finally, we have the brown cowgirl boot. Darling, you’re a classic. This pair of the Annie by Tecovas is a beautiful example of how shades of cognac and rich sequoia brown, when combined with subtle yet timeless western stitching, is often all you need when looking for your perfect pair of all-the-time boots. Don’t be fooled, brown boots are never a basic choice, but an enduring one in many ways. They’ll last through both trends and endless nights of dancing, forever a comfortably timeless choice no matter when you slip them on.
There is no right way to find your pair, and no right place to look, but narrowing down what you imagine your perfect pair to be is a start. Wherever your boots may take you, be sure they’re as authentically you as they can be (and properly broken in if you’re planning on going far).
