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