| There are few things more symbolic of the Wild | | | | with some being monogrammed, decorated or |
| West than the cowboy boot. And yet despite the | | | | stamped. Although most vintage cowboy boots |
| rough treatment most cowboy boots suffered in | | | | have obviously been well worn by their original |
| the early days of the west being settled, many | | | | owners, occasionally it's possible to find a pair that |
| have survived through to modern times. | | | | is almost brand new. It's not easy though! |
| Nowadays vintage cowboy boots have become a | | | | Most vintage cowboy boots range in height from |
| popular collectible item. Some of the rarest | | | | 13 to 18 inches. It was quite common for them |
| vintage cowboy boots originated in the 1800s, and | | | | to have 1 to 2 inch heels, and quite often there |
| some prize specimen have been handed down | | | | were intricate designs on the heel. Some of the |
| from generation to generation with their life story | | | | rarest examples still have the original spur straps, |
| intact. | | | | and if you're really lucky, the original brass |
| Because most of these boots did have a rough | | | | conchose, jingle bobs and chains. Boots in such |
| life in the early days of the west however, they | | | | pristine condition are rare, however, so you can |
| can be hard to get hold of. So if you're interested | | | | expect to pay top dollar for them. |
| in collecting vintage cowboy boots, be prepared to | | | | If you're just looking for an authentic pair of |
| spend time searching for them, and be ready to | | | | cowboy boots to go with your western gear, the |
| pay for them too. Many good pairs sell for over | | | | vintage variety may be far too expensive. There |
| $1000, with some costing substantially more. One | | | | are lots of good modern cowboy boots, including |
| of the first places you should look is western | | | | Lucchese western boots and Justin cowboy |
| apparel shops. Many of these now have a vintage | | | | boots. These and other companies are well known |
| cowboy gear section, so it's worth having a look if | | | | for their vintage inspired designs to give their |
| you have one of these stores nearby. | | | | boots the 'old school' feel. If you have a vintage |
| Many collectors have also started up websites | | | | style in mind, you can shop around various boot |
| that specialize in vintage cowboy boots, so spend | | | | stores and you're sure to find something similar |
| some time searching around online to see what | | | | made in modern times. |
| you can come up with. Although the initial interest | | | | Perhaps you'd like the uniqueness of vintage |
| in collectiing these rare and historical boots was in | | | | cowboy boots without the price tag, but don't |
| the USA, nowadays that enthusiasm has spread | | | | want to buy something off the shelf, either. In |
| worldwide. You can find enthusiasts as far away | | | | that case, why not consider purchasing a custom |
| as Europe and Australia. The old boots have a | | | | made retro pair? There are quality firms offering |
| certain aura about them, which is one of the | | | | this service, and you can customize your boots to |
| reasons they've become so popular as collectible | | | | any design you choose. The boots are then made |
| items. Many collectible stores have added a | | | | to your specifications and delivered to you. Allow |
| cowboy boots section to their stores. | | | | some time, though, as it can take a couple of |
| One of the most interesting things about starting | | | | months for your custom foot wear to arrive. |
| your own collection is that they were mostly | | | | But if you're keen to own a pair that have some |
| custom made, which means nearly every pair is | | | | history behind them, vintage cowboy boots may |
| different. You can find boots in all sorts of colors, | | | | still be the best option, despite the price. |