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