The Cowboy Boot

Photo Courtesy of Boot City

Everyone wants to be trendy.  In one way or another, you would notice people wanting to see whether the latest trend is suitable for them or not.  There are times wherein individuals would go to thrift shops and try to remake a particular look coming from their favorite designers.  However, aside from the bags and clothes, there is one thing very important that completes the look, it is the shoes.

Take for example the cowboy boots in the United States.  Almost everyone has his or her own style when it comes to wearing this footwear.  You may notice that there are those wearing the cowboy boots in their dress.  There are those that wear it together with their blue denim pants or whatever pants they feel like wearing.  Some would even wear it with a skirt or shorts.  Almost every type of clothing for that matter can be combined with boots.  One thing nice about the cowboy boots is that it never goes out of style.  Makers try to reinvent it so that the people’s love for it does not wear off.

It does not matter whether you are a celebrity or a regular folk.  The important thing here is that you have a great time wearing your cowboy boots and make the most out of it.  It is okay to copy the look of your favorite stars but make sure to give it a little twist and create a style of your own.  In addition, try to have a variety of cowboy boots so that you can interchange using them depending on what type or kind of clothing you are wearing.

When it comes to knowledge of cowboy boots, no one does it better than Boot City.  This particular store started from a feed store way back in 1985.  It became a place for people looking for the best deals and finds when it comes to Western gear and apparel.  You can find almost everything here to complete your look, from clothes, boots, hats and even saddles -you name it and they would be able to provide you a wide range of brands to choose.  Because of this, it is impossible for you not to find something that will suit your taste and budget.  Boot City even expanded their products with thousands of pairs of blue jeans, jewelry and even gun holsters.

If you are that type of person who wants a somewhat authentic cowboy outfit as well as cowboy boots, go to Boot City and the personnel there will be happy to assist you.  All you have to do is to have an idea on what kind of outfit you want and the boots that best fits it.  The only thing you need to bring is your money and yourself.  While trying on some clothes, have fun.  You never know what you will be able to find in this treasure trove.

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Being the hotbed of the fashion industry, Europe is more advanced when it comes to fashion trends. The trend in the European continent nowadays is to wear flat boots. This trend is specific for women. Flat boots are everywhere in Europe especially in Italy where the softest of leather comes from. Most women in Italy today wear knee-high boots, short and slouch boots and even high-heeled cowboy boots.

Boots are always in style, it seems, so do not throw any of those boots because those are made for styin’. Vintage boots are still hot stuff, you just have to take care on how to use with your wardrobe. Celebrities are seen wearing cowboy boots and strutting them in the streets of L.A., this means that cowboy boots are really hot, hot, hot.

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There used to be 4 types of cowboy boots the lace-up packer, the Hollywood style, Full Wellington and the Dress Wellington. Today however, there are only two types of cowboy boots, one for the fashionable and one for those who work with their boots.

Cowboys who spend time roping, caring for cattle and riding require durable cowboy boots specifically made out of cowhide leather. This type of material is a great protection from bramble, snakes, and barbed wire along with other hazards.

Fashionable cowboy boots on the other hand go places other than the ranch. They are used on the red carpet, in the streets of Hollywood, and other highbrow events. They have become fashion statements for city folks as well as a subject for books, and art paintings.

The cowboy boot sure has come a long way from its humble beginnings to today’s croc, alligator, snake and lizard skin cowboy boots. Some of them are outrageously priced as well but no matter what the price, a pair of cowboy boots is a must-have for cowboy boots enthusiasts, fashionistas and working cowboys alike.

Choosing the materials used for your cowboy boots would depend on where you’re going to use them. For trendsetters, cowboy boots are best made with exotic skins while for those who work with their cowboy boots demand a different set of materials.

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Cowhide leather is the most used material in making cowboy boots. If you use your cowboy boots in doing messy ranch work, cowboy boots made out of cowhide leather is the best choice. Cowhide leather is durable but does not restrain your feet to breathe. Apart from that, it looks stylish as well. Boots made from cowhide leather are more affordable compared to those with exotic skins. However, if you love the comfort of cowhide leather but would like cowboy boots with snake, lizard, elephant or croc skin, some manufacturers print these skins on cowhide leather making it now possible for you to have durable and stylish boots.

Different exotic skins are used in making cowboy boots. From rattlesnake skin to python skin to lizard, elephant eel, and ostrich –the choices are endless.

Photo Courtesy of the New York Times

H.J. Justin of Justin Boots started his career as a boot repairman. Leaving his Lafayette home in Indiana, he ventured to Spanish Fort, Texas to start his own company. His wife was supportive of him and by the early 1890s he made kits for custom boots measurement. The boot maker’s sons later on joined his crew and the company was renamed from H.J. Justin to H.J. Justin and Sons. Two years later, the family sold boots in 26 states. These boots were also transported to Canada, Cuba and Mexico at $11 a pair. In 1918, H.J. Justin died and his sons Earl, John and Avis inherited the business. A few years later, the boys moved their father’s company to Fort Worth.

John Justin, Jr. son of John Justin purchased controlling interest in his grandfather’s company in the year 1948 and the company grew bigger. 20 years later, the company partnered with Fort Worth company Acme Brick to form the now renowned Justin Industries. Later on, Justin Industries purchased shares from other companies and even bought one of its major competitoes –Tony Lama. However, by the year 2000 the company was bought by Berkshire Hathaway.

Born to Italian parents, Tony Lama started his first lesson in boot making at the age of 11. One of his uncles, a boot maker by trade had Tony Lama as his apprentice in his shoe shop in Syracuse, New York. At the turn of the century, the young Tony Lama became a cobbler for the US Cavalry stationed in Texas. After his service in the military, he set out to make the best boots that are comfortable and durable at the same time.

He started with repairs but word quickly spread of the new talent all throughout the Southwest. Soon many clients arrived at his doors carrying different types of hides. All of them were asking Tony Lama for custom-made boots. In his first year as a boot maker, he made 20 custom-made boots with the help of only one assistant. Cavalrymen, ranchers and cowboys were his first clients and later on when the army no longer needed the services of the cavalry, Tony Lama focused his energy on making Western boots. These boots became the epitome of quality at the time and by the 1930s, shoe stores started asking for Tony Lama boots. Tony Lama had to meet the growing demand for his boots and later on developed a method to produce more boots without sacrificing comfort and quality. 31 years later, 5 decades after his fist store, Tony Lama’s company moved to a larger space and began making around 800 pairs a day.

The great boot maker passed away in the year 1974 and his sons and daughters inherited the boot making company. Traditional boots made with quality handcraftsmanship was the key to Tony Lama’s success and his children continued making the same quality of boots. Tony Lama boots are still very popular today making Tony Lama’s story a symbol of the American dream.

The founders of Ariat boots had only one objective in mind – to provide technologically advanced boots to equestrians. In the year 1990, Pam Parker and Beth Cross created the company because the realized that riding boots were not really well-suited for the equestrian athletes because they were stiff and a bit heavy.

The two later on assembled footwear that is comfortable, light and fashionable with the help of engineers. They started by doing a redesign on the boot’s outsole and went as detailed as rethinking the whole arch support system of the shoes. Making the boots suitable for riding is the main goal of Parker and Cross and talking to riders made this possible. Three years later, Ariat shipped its first order.

Today Ariat is one of the best boot makers and offers a whole range of items made for professionals, newbies and trendsetters.

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Ariat cowboy boots are one of the most stylish boots available that do not compromise comfort. They are not only comfortable; they are also made out of technologically advanced materials fit for riding and walking. Every Ariat boot is well cushioned with their trademark gel.

The experts call it ATS or Advanced Torque Stability but we call it comfort that allows you to walk on rough surfaces as if you are walking on a plush carpet. The heel of each of Ariat’s cowboy boots are contoured for better stability making it the ideal boots for those who are into riding, roping and walking. Ariat sells professional boots, roper boots, fatbaby boots, Ariat York, and Ariat casual.

It was in the 1800s when the Lucchese family migrated to America. Sam Lucchese Sr. was only 17 at the time but he had a knack for bootmaking. When he turned 20, Sam and his brothers established the Lucchese Boot Company in San Antonio, Texas dedicating their days to the craftsmanship of making cowboy boots. The business was kept alive but it was not very popular during those times. It was only in the 1960s when Sam Lucchese’s grandson Sam Lucchese revitalized their family’s bootmaking.

Every Lucchese boot is one of its kind and after years and years of experience and experimentation, the Lucchese family have found the perfect way to make the perfect boots.

Lucchese boots are made out of the finest leather and near perfect skins making every Lucchese boots rather pricey but are of course, always, to die for.

If you want to get cheap or discount cowboy boots for your kids, you would have to buy them before summer when most cowboy boot stores are doing clearance sales. Buying cowboy boots this time of the year means you would save more money and you might even be able to buy one for yourself.

But where are you going to buy kids’ cowboy boots? Going to department stores is one good place to buy boots. You can find different brands, styles, and colors of cowboy boots in the kids’ section. If you do not feel like walking around in the mall, you can let your fingers do the shopping for you by going to an online store. There are lots of online shops that sell shoes for kids, just key in “cowboy boots for kids” on your favorite search engine and your browser will direct you to the right place. The only downside with online shopping is, you will not be able to see if the boots you’ve chosen for your kids fit them perfectly.