The Cowboy Boot » Sigrid

Tony Lama Ladies Cowhide Vaquero Cowboy Boot in Black Vail And Fads

Sigrid — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:50:27 +0000

For many fashion enthusiasts, trying out fads and watching these fads take hold longer than expected, is quite fun. In fact, it may even fun to figure out how they have stayed on so long. Most fads fade as fast as they entered the market but others just stay on –even for centuries. A pair of cowboy boots is a good example of a fad that started with a small community of cowboys probably somewhere in Spain or in Latin America.

According to NY Times writer Carrie Donovan in an article she wrote about cowboy boots in the early 90s, women have worn these types of shoes for some time. She admitted that it is definitely difficult to miss the increasing popularity of cowboy boots. One has to keep in mind that the said NY Times article was written in the 90s and it’s already 2012 and cowboy boots are still very much popular among men and women alike. Kids even wear them so this makes them universal in a way and it’s not just the west that loves these boots –lots of men and women from allover the world wear these boots.

Come to think of it, women have been wearing cowboy boots for some time –from the classic designs to uber sexy thigh high ones. Other popular styles include midcalf high boots or ones that are chopped off right at the ankles also known as ankle boots.

If you are thinking of buying a pair of cowboy boots, you should take a look at boots at Boot City.

One of our favorites from Boot City is this Tony Lama Ladies Cowhide Vaquero Cowboy Boot in Black Vail. If you buy it today, you will save $10 from your purchase. The underslung heels are 1 and ¾ inch high.

Cowboy boots today, loafers tomorrow?

Sigrid — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:25:58 +0000

Cowboys won’t be caught dead in loafers but some do wear them. However, it is interesting to note that preppies and yuppies won’t wear cowboy boots on a daily basis especially in a city where cowboy boots are nothing but a fad. A fad you say? Yes. Apparently, in some cities, cowboy boots are not really deemed as appropriate for daily wear especially if you are in the corporate world. This is sad but hey, those who can’t wear cowboy boots everyday can always take a look at these beautiful cowboy boots from Boot City or from any other store online that carry cowboy boots. You must make sure though that the place you will be buying your boots from are reputable online stores.

Tony Lama Ladies Stallion Americana Collection Cowboy Boots

This band new Ladies Americana Collection cowboy boot will look great on jeans or a skirt. It features a sharp snip toe and a cushioned insole. What is great in buying a pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots is that they go through over 100 steps for them to be built. They are carefully built by the company’s seasoned craftsmen.

Gucci Brown Ombre Leather Western Boots

Chic and sophisticated, these are definitely must-haves for ladies out there. However, they are uber expensive but if you have money to spare for this pair, you should buy it. There are boots that look just like these though and they are sold at more affordable rates. One has to note though that leather western boots from Gucci are never the same as its replica no matter how good the replica is. Much like other boots made from quality materials, these Gucci Brown Ombre Leather Western boots will last for a very long time –giving you the joy of using them for seasons to come.

Dance with Boleadoras and Other Cowboy Dances

Sigrid — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:09:49 +0000

Cowboys in the United States may dance the square dance during their free time when there weren’t any other type of entertainment just yet while the gauchos of Argentina danced with one of their weapons –the boleadoras. These weapons were made out of leather and were composed of three balls attached to a rope. According to accounts, three or more gauchos would bounce their weapons in a circular manner hitting the floor following the beat of the bombo drum.

The zapateo which means tap dance of the gauchos is also incorporated in the boleadoras dance. Like the usual tap dance, gauchos clap their hands too based on the tempo of the music while continuing with the bouncing of the boleaderos and at high speed as well! It is a rather spectacular treat when one watches it making these cowboys look more amazing than when they are riding their horses. The dance itself is called the malambo.

The square dance on the other hand is a tamer type of dance that involves eight people i.e. four couples composing one square. The dance itself can be composed of as many squares as needed. Each square is independent from other squares unless of course the dancers decide to do crossover of participants from one square to the next. In Chile, the Chilean cowboys dance the cueca. This traditional Chilean cowboy dance is still very much alive today. This dance however is also associated with dances that of Bolivia, Argentina and Peru. One has to note though that the said dance holds a national status in Chile. The dance in itself is not for Chilean cowboys alone but since there were a lot of cowboys in Chile for a time, this mix of Spanish and African moves became quite a hit. The dance was passed on to other Latin American nations such as Bolivia where the dance evolved too through time.

Hide N Sole Turquoise And Zebra Flip Flops And Other Western Flip Flops From Western Handbag Store

Sigrid — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:26:49 +0000

Tired of wearing shoes that aren’t comfortable? We all know that wearing cowboy boots provides our feet with protection and comfort but there are those days when flip flops are needed.

The best option for this is to get western style flip flops. There are different styles available in the market and many of these flip flops are quite trendy too.

Hide N Sole Turquoise And Zebra Flip Flops

These flip flops from Hide n Sole are not your usual flip flops because the straps are made from genuine cowhide giving your feet the treatment they deserve. These have zebra print as well as very trendy turquoise stone embellishments and these stones are genuine too! If you are looking for flip flops that have a lift at the heel –these are your best bet. There are only limited stocks available though so it would be best to hurry and go to Western Handbag Store today.

Hide N Sole 3 Inch Zebra Flip Flops

Looking for a boost for your height? These 3 inch flip flops are the best one can find at WesterHandbagStore.com if you are looking for footwear with zebra print. Wearing comfortable wedges like this one will elongate your legs and what’s great about this pair is that they feel quite nice when worn. Comfort is the most important thing one should consider when buying footwear and we can assure you that this pair will provide this requirement. Hide N Sole only makes flip flop straps from genuine leather –an assurance that you are getting high quality flip flops at affordable rates.

Hide N Sole Zebra Cowhide Pink Bling Flip Flops

Want something in pink? If you are looking for flip flops with ornaments, this pair from Hide N Sole is your best bet. It has crystals and solver ornaments on its cowhide strap and even has silver stud lining! Isn’t that just cute?

Croc Embossed Brown Western Handbag And More

Sigrid — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:06:50 +0000

We probably have heard this from our mothers before –your shoes must match your bag, this is the rule. I have always followed that rule and to this day, I cannot go out if my shoes do not match my bag. Some may call it an expensive rule but your shoes or your handbags do not need to be expensive at all.

Brown leather cowboy boots always go well with a brown leather handbag of the same shade. Boring? No not really. Being monochromatic will give you a classier look but enough of the fashion advice, let’s take a look at the trendiest bags I found online.

Croc Embossed Brown Western Handbag

This is a crocodile embossed handbag made from faux leather making it a very animal-friendly choice for animal activists. Since it’s a tote, this handbag is quite roomy but what I really love about it is that it is very stylish and looks almost like real crocodile leather.

It is available at Western Handbag Store for $59.99.

Croc Embossed White Western Handbag

This is another version of the tote above. It is also made from top quality faux leather and features enough room for all your personal items. If you always need to bring one of those big planners you write on, this is a good bag to have. You would no longer have to carry your planner around with your hand with fear of losing it if you have this bag.

Pink Croc Star Cowgirl West Western Handbag

For those looking for a rather cool looking bag that doesn’t scream seriousness, this beautiful pink bag made from genuine leather is a good choice. Sold for less than $50, getting this leather bag for yourself or for someone is definitely a good bargain. It features a shoulder strap as well as crystal embellishments too!

Brown Ostrich Bling Western Handbag and Other Animal Friendly Bags

Sigrid — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:21:22 +0000

Brown Ostrich Bling Western Handbag

This is a beautiful choice for those who do not want to use handbags made from real leather. It is made from top quality faux leather that mimics the markings of the ostrich and snake skin. What makes this $69.99 bag a wonderful choice for every cowgirl is that it is brown and has sunset colored hues right at the top making it a versatile bag that can be paired nicely with your brown cowboy boots.

Whether you like using real leather or faux leather or do not have any qualms about using both, this Brown Ostrich Bling Western Handbag is definitely a good choice.

Aside from its trendy design, this bag also features two zipped compartments making organization a lot better whenever you use it.

According to the website where I saw this bag, there are only very of this in stock so if you are interested in buying this particular bag, you should pay the website a visit soon.

Black Ostrich Bling Western Handbag

This is the same as the one above just in a different color. If you are fond of using black shoes whether black cowboy boots or other types of footwear, this bag is a good choice. What is great about the design of this bag is that there are clear crystal embellishments on top and the sides are metallic making the bag look very modern. It costs $69.99 at the online shop where I found this bag. At this price for a bag like this –it’s definitely a bargain.

Pale Pink Ostrich Western Handbag

Made from high quality faux leather, this pale pink ostrich handbag has multi colored hues on top like its brown counterpart. The sides are in metallic pink. This is a wonderful choice for those who are looking for something pink for their bag collection.

The Cowboys of Latin America

Sigrid — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:17:22 +0000

The wise would say that wherever you have ranch animals such as cattle, you will always see people on horseback who are taking care of them. Based on history, these cattle farmers as one would call them are also called other names. They are called the cowboy in the Old West and in the West (the modern one); the gauchos of Argentina and that of southern Brazil and Uruguay, the vaqueros of the northern part of Brazil, the huasos of the Chileans and the llaneros of Venezuela and Colombia.

In the Argentine countryside and the pampas of southern Brazil and Uruguay, cattle raising is not just a tradition but the most important part of life. These men who tend to cattle are known as gauchos. Before when the gauchos had a very bad reputation in the land, the term gaucho was not used by well-mannered individuals because the word was very derogatory. Later on however the word evolves to mean orphan or vagabond. Some say though that the word gaucho comes from huachu which has the same definition as that mentioned above –vagabond.

There are a number of accounts that pertain to the gauchos of these parts of the world and they ranged from almost mythical to those that were written in novel form to true historical stories. But who were these cowboys? These early horsemen were usually loners who wandered in the vast plains of Argentina and its neighboring countries. They lived off the land and also worked for the commercial ranches in the area especially when there is a need to track down cows. The ranchers they work for also get the benefit of being protected by the gauchos. For a certain time, the gauchos also provided military service to the resistance.

The nomadic lifestyle of these men meant that they rarely or even never spent time at home but some of them must have had common law wives whom they had children with.

Argentine & Brazilian Gaucho

Sigrid — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:55:42 +0000

The constant wandering of the gaucho meant they carried nothing but the clothes on their back and their weapons. They of course had their horses which were their trusty companions throughout their lives. Some had wives too but most of these cowboys rarely went home to see the kids. As bad as this may sound, this is the lifestyle a gaucho has chosen and more often than not, their sons follow their footsteps too.

During the time of the gauchos, there were no bootmakers yet in Argentina but these men already wore gaucho boots. What they did was to wrap their legs with the hide of a freshly killed cow or calf and as it dries, it will just take the form of the foot and the rest of the leg covered in the said material. This tidbit of history makes Argentine cowboy boots rather interesting.

With their rather lowly reputation in the beginning, these mestizos did not get as much respect as they do today. Today June16 is a holiday in Argentina –it is a celebration of the contribution of the Argentine cowboys to the War of Independence.

There are a number of stories that talk about the gauchos. One classic example is the poem by Jose Hernandez titled El Gaucho Martin Fierro. Gauchos are not more popular today than before though because sports teams even call themselves gauchos. When visiting Argentina, there are clothiers that sell hats of the gauchos making the gaucho tradition an attraction for tourists.

In Brazil on the other hand, most of the inhabitants were called gauchos. Brazil also has rodeos making the Latin American country a good place to visit if one is interested in Latin American cowboys. For tourists who want to see Brazilian gauchos, going to Mato Grosso do Sul is a wonderful idea.

The Story Of The Gauchos

Sigrid — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:49:03 +0000

Looked upon as unruly and rough individuals who wandered the Argentine countryside, the gauchos did not enjoy a recognition that cowboys deserve. Today however, they are now recognized for the valuable tasks they performed and for their contribution in the Argentine resistance. Although they were said to have disappeared when the book title Don Segundo Sombra, a fictional story about the life of gauchos, was published, they have reappeared later on. They can still be seen in a number of villages in Argentina. There was a rather long period of darkness for the gauchos but much like their asado and other Argentine traditions of Tango among others, they re-emerged.

The gauchos much like their counterparts in the West, have a very long history and are considered as heroes. The dramatic story of the gauchos being ostracized in the 1600s until the latter part of the 1700s just makes their story more interesting. As always, and as we’ve seen in many a Hollywood films, it’s always the true blue cowboys who emerge as heroes. Dramatic yes but the history of the gaucho who wandered through the countryside of Argentina is a true account and is much better than any story of a fictional cowboy. These cowboys helped in turning the economy of Argentina into a more productive one thanks to their knowledge about cattle and their ways of preserving and cooking its meat. They also helped in fighting the conquistadors who ruled Argentina at the time.

In celebration of equestrian life, Hermes’ 2012 fashion show in Paris showcased gaucho-inspired clothes making them look very chic. Hermes was a producer of harnesses before it ever became the luxury brand that it is today and along with the gauchos of Argentina, the French company celebrates the life of the horse rider. The collection also incorporated other tribal influences from the world over.

The Quest For Flip Flops: Hide N Sole Crystal Embellished Flip Flops 401

Sigrid — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:40:03 +0000

I have been looking for flip flops in the past few days and during my research ala online shopping, I found a rather nice online retail shop called Western Handbag Store. Although flip flops aren’t usually available in most western shops, I was able to find the shop through my search for unique flip flops.

Most of the flip flops available in the market today are very simple and can’t be worn for occasions when you feel like jazzing up your look without having to compromise comfort and ventilation. However, the flip flops available at the said store have bling and some even have crystals and turquoise stones on them! There are of course other shops that probably have footwear like these but definitely not flip flops and definitely not flip flops with real cowhide leather straps.

Hide N Sole Crystal Embellished Flip Flops 401

This is my favorite flip flop from Hide N Sole because the straps are embellished with small, clear rhinestones which can go with any of my casual clothes. Apart from these rhinestone embellishments, these flip flops also have a multi colored jeweled ornament right in the middle. They also feature thick soles making them quite comfortable. The thick soles also function as a boost for my height.

Sold for only $54.99 tax included, these flip flops are definitely a good buy.

If you would like these, it is best to go to the website I mentioned as soon as possible because there are only limited stocks available. They will replenish their inventory of course but if you are as impatient as I am, you should probably buy one today.

Other flip flops to take a look at from the store includes Hide N Sole’s Cowhide Cross Flip Flops 404 embellished with purplish cross and round shaped rhinestones.