The Cowboy Boot

Photo via www.rowthree.com

Dating a cowboy is never the same as dating your regular city guy and it’s not just because of the shoes they wear. Aside from cowboy boots and denim, cowboys usually don cowboy hats making them stand out when in a city setting. This turns on city girls to the annoyance probably of city boys but there is something about cowboys and of course something about the country. What makes cowboys so appealing? Is it really them and their cowboy boots and their hats that make them hot? Sure there are cowboys that are oozing with sex appeal but truth be told, there are also those who aren’t so what’s the reason?

Cowboys have a certain appeal to women because of the general image one has of a cowboy. This general image is not necessarily a stereotype because it has been proven to be true for the longest time. What is this general image? The general image as we have been mentioning before is that cowboys are macho –they are the American macho counterpart of the caballeros and bull fighters of Spain and Latin American nations where machismo is celebrated. In country deemed by other nations to not have its own culture, the cowboy stands out as a true blue American tradition at least in areas where cowboys come from. In fact, many would agree that aside from being a melting pot of different peoples, America is the home of the cowboy.

Hollywood has also helped in building the image of the cowboy thanks to movies about the Wild West. Brokeback Mountain did not help in building that image though but not to worry, the movie did not ruin the cowboy image at all because this image has been around for decades nay maybe even for centuries when one looks at it.

Photo via mypinkturtle.com

The development of cowboy boots has always been a wonderful topic for books and documentaries and those who are fond of such shoes relish every bit of detail about it. Its history is interesting –from the time of Genghis Khan to the Spanish caballeros who made their way to America from Mexico to the English riding boots. Although riding boots are an important part of life for the equestrian and their design were already sufficient for riding in terms of protecting the feet and controlling the horse, cattle raisers in America made their own design based on these boots.

There are a lot of different stories pertaining to the origin of cowboy boots. Some say these shoes were of Hessen origin and yep Hessen as in the people from Germany who according to some accounts influenced the development of the riding boots used in Spain. Others historians note however that  cowboy boots date back to the 5^th century during the time of Genghis Khan. So does this mean that that cowboy boots are of oriental in origin? No one is sure really but the fact that no one was able to take note where it really was based on or where it came from meant that it was something people used on a daily basis and that they were not called anything but boots –as generic as that.

This might sound like a strange analysis but this may mean that there is a possibility that the things we find as ordinary in this era might be something that would interest the people in the future. This is the importance of history –people would like to know how things came to be. How did cowboy boots get that kind of design? How did ropers branch out from cowboy boots or riding boots for that matter? We just hope that the things we write about cowboy boots would last long enough that those in the future will know what we know about these boots.

Photo via shopmycloset.blogspot.com

Want to be fashionable? How about getting a new pair of cowboy boots? There is nothing like cowboy boots –they are comfortable to wear, they look great and they never go out of style and did we mention that you can get your hands on a pair of cowboy boots right now? Yep, you already know this but just to remind everyone, you can buy cowboy boots online.

Why should one wear cowboy boots? Cowboy boots are not just for cowboys, they are for celebrities too! Jessica Simpson and Miley Cyrus among others wear cowboy boots even in the heat of the L.A. summer. If that does not convince you that cowboy boots are fashionable and are still in for this season then take a look at a few other reasons as to why you shouldn’t leave those boots in your shoe rack.

Reason No. 1 They are quite comfortable especially in places where it does not get too cold. Leather gets cold sometimes and might not be good for those who have feet problems or ailments such as arthritis or those who have had operations on the back or on the feet. Other than that, you can wear cowboy boots all-year-round –yes even during wintertime as long as you put on some really warm socks.

Reason No. 2 They are sturdy. If you are planning to buy sturdy shoes, there is nothing as sturdy as a good pair of leather cowboy boots. The handmade ones last longer than the mass produced designs but even the latter can last for years.

Reason No. 3 They are a wonderful way to protect your feet. If you work in a ranch for example, wearing a pair of cowboy boots is a good idea because it will protect you from snake bites and from thorns and whatever that can cause an injury.

It seems that red cowboy boots are in fashion again and we can’t help but look for a few photos of men and women in red cowboy boots.

Photo via stealthestyle.com

Red cowboy boots are sexy –just check out Jessica Simpson rocking a pair in the Dukes of Hazzard movie. The Daisy red leather cowboy boots are pull on style boots that feature a pointy-toed design. The heels are stacked and probably have man-made soles. We are not sure but we heard that the Jessica Simpson shoe line sells one of these. There are ways to get your hands on these pull-on cowboy boots, all you need to do is do some research.

Photo via fanpop.com

Do you watch How I Met Your Mother? If you do you probably remember that one guy who wore his red cowboy boots outside of his pants because according to him, apparently red cowboy boots are in again. He speaks the truth though even if he somehow looked ridiculous in his red cowboy boots contrary to what the gay community (in the series) said. The cowboy boots are quite nice if one looks at the photo above. There are better looking red cowboy boots though so brace yourselves for more photos to come.

Tadaaaa!!!!

Red cowboy boots look great with dresses (Photo via craftzine.com)

Yes, another photo of uber cute red cowboy boots and a rather cute dress too. The dress folks can be found in thrift shops and not here but if you like the dress too, you might find something like it somewhere online.

There are quite a few brands to choose from that offer beautiful, red cowboy boots. Frye for example has some beautiful red cowboy boots with different designs. So why is the color red so appealing? Other colors are wonderful too really but red just symbolizes bravery and even sexiness. For some however, red symbolizes war but hey, if you want boots that will get the attention of many, red cowboy boots are the answer.

Cowboy boots are riding boots that later on became rather popular among cowboys because of its sturdiness. Cowboy boots have a Cuban heel – a type of heel used by both men and women in olden times. This type of heel, experts believe, goes back to 9^th Century Persia giving it quite a history.

Modern cowboy boots are commonly made from cowhide but sometimes, bootmakers make them from exotic leather i.e. alligator, ostrich, lizard, snake and other skins. Apart from Cuban heels, cowboy boots also feature rounded to pointed toes and a high shaft. Unlike other riding boots, cowboy boots have no lacing. Although cowboy boots feature different toe shapes, the usual design is often narrowed bordering to pointy toed.
– Cowhide Ropers, are some of the most popular boots. –

There are 2 types of cowboy boots, one is the classic version more popularly known as the western cowboy boot, the other is classed as a roper. The western or classic style is characterized by a tall shaft reaching mid-calf. It also usually has an angled heel. The heel height usually reaches over an inch high. Sometimes some cowboy boots feature slightly lower heels called walking heels.

Considered as a newer design, the roper has a shorter shaft compared to the classic cowboy boots. Stopping above the ankle, this type of boots also feature squared-off heels. Ropers are usually used by those who join rodeo shows. The heels are just an inch high or even lower, have rounded toes and have laces. The lace-up style of these boots is to ensure that the ropers do not come off while riding a horse –in a rather wild manner. The safety of the rider is of course one of the main reasons why ropers have a lace-up design.

Both designs –the roper and the classic cowboy boot style are available in cowboy boot shops. They are also sold online.
Boot City has a very nice selection of Ostrich Skin Ropers available in the store and on the internet.

What is a Buckaroo?

We always hear this term but where does it come from? Does it have anything to do with cowboy boots? The answer to that last question is yes. In fact, it has something to do with the vaquero tradition adapted by the west through cowboys coming from Mexico. These cowboys however also got the tradition from another source –their colonial master Spain.

Photo via NationalGeographic.com

Vaquero tradition in Spanish or Vaqueiro in Portuguese is a tradition pertaining to men on horseback who drive cattle. This cattle herding tradition goes as far back as the Iberian Peninsula. In the northern Americas on the other hand, this tradition dates back to the 1600s.

According to history and various dictionaries, the term buckaroo is a bastardization of the term vaquero. Much like its Spanish version, the meaning of the word is the same –herder of cattle. Vaquero is derived from the word vaca which means cow. Vaca of course comes from the Latin word vacca. Although the word “buckaroo” is pronounced differently, its phonological characteristics are almost the same as the oral transmission of Vaquero. Try saying these two words one after the other and you will realize what I mean.

Since no one wants to admit that the term buckaroo is a corruption of Spain’s vaquero, some authors insist that the derivation of the term comes from the Efik mbakara which means, according to these sources, white man or master. Another derivation as suggested by other authors come from baqar, an Arabic term that means cattle.

Whichever the case, a buckaroo is a Great Basin cowboy that herds cattle. Other regions such as California also had buckaroos for a certain time. And you got that right, buckaroos also wear cowboy boots although they weren’t called cowboy boots yet at the time.

In the Great Basin and in California, the buckaroo or the vaquero were the very first cowboys.

In the 1860s, Wellingtons were quite popular. The first ever mass produced boots were not only sturdy, they were also very affordable making them a favorite among those who lived in the west.

From 1886 to 1884 also known as the cattle drive era, the regular cowboy never wanted to ruin a good pair of cowboy boots while working. Their dress boots were only worn during special occasions or when going into town to meet friends. Some cowboys at the time owned very decorative dress boots and these boots, much like the regular dress boots of other cowboys were only worn when the cowboy went to town.

The basic elements of dress boots were integrated in working boots over the years making the trusty Wellington obsolete. This development also gave birth to different bootmaking companies that are still popular today.

If one refers to fashion magazines during the 1850s to the 1860s, cowboy boots with topstitching were featured. Some of these boots also featured natural elements integrated as a design.

The American-style boot we now know today were later taken up by the best bootmakers in areas where cattle ranching was a way of life. These areas included the states of Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. According to history, 2 of the most well-known bootmakers of the time were Charles Hyer of the Hyer Brothers Boots –a small company located in Olathe, Kansas and H.J. Justin of the infamous Justin Boots who headquartered in Spanish Fort, Texas.

Justin however moved to Nocona and other bootmakers went to the place to take advantage of the number of people going there, a new brand came out. The Nocona brand was started by the eldest daughter of Joe Justin, Enid Justin Stelzer who chose to live in Nocona with her husband.

The couple went through a divorce though that’s why Stelzer started the Olsen-Stelzer brand.

Photo Via Nine West

If you are thinking of getting a pair of boots from Nine West, you might want to take a look at the Nine West Cornflower Cowboy Boots. This pair of brown boots is made from genuine leather and suede making the boots rather comfortable. Nine West is known for selling very comfortable shoes and very sturdy ones too.

Sold at 6PM.com for a mere $90.30, you can finally have a sturdy pair of boots from Nine West. Those who collect boots on the other hand might not want to buy this pair but if you are on a budget, getting your hands on the Nine West Cornflower Cowboy Boots in brown is definitely a good buy. The shoes from the brand usually last for a long time too making this pair of boots a wonderful choice for the thrifty.

These rugged boots have adjustable buckles and feature man-made lining too. The cushioned lining makes the whole Nine West cowboy boots experience a lot better because the foot bed is quite soft.

If in the middle of this article you have already gone to 6PM and did not see this pair of boots, it is possible that it’s already sold out. You can try Zappos or Amazon who sell the boots at much higher prices. By higher we mean at around $109 to $129 still a lot less compared to handmade boots.

Here the specifications of these boots:

Heel Height is at 1 and ¼ inch, shaft is 7 and a half, circumference is at 13 inches and the weight is 13 ounces.

If you are interested in these boots, you may go to the Nine West store. You may also want to look for Nine West coupons online.

There are other Nine West boots too and this includes the Nine West Nettle Women’s Knee-High Boots sold at $129.50 and the Nine West Vermillion sold at $149.00.

Since the year 1873 before the historic railroad was constructed, most of the custom bootmakers were in Olathe, Kansas located near the stock yards where the cattle drives ended. Being one of the best bootmakers of the time, Olathe boots made boots for a range of folk heroes including Jesse James and Wild Bill Hickok.

One does not need to be notorious however to wear Olathe boots because these boots were not only made for riding but also for cowboys who worked in ranches and farms. Boots coming from Olathe later on became the center for bootmaking and today after over a century, Olathe boots are still available in the market.  The boots that Olathe produces are of course still of high quality and are definitely one of the best one can find in the market.

Although the Olathe Boot Co. started in Olathe, Kansas, production was moved to Texas in 2001 –still near where early cattle drives began. For over a hundred years, Olathe Boots still make sturdy and high quality boots. One can bee sure that upon purchasing a pair of cowboy boots from the company that it will be a good pair of boots that will last the cowboy a very long time.

Olathe Boot Co. believes in quality over quantity no matter what making this brand a wonderful choice if one wants a good pair of boots.

The Olathe Difference

What makes Olathe cowboy boots different from other cowboy boots? First and foremost, boots from the Olathe Boot Co. are made from the finest upper leathers, have sole leather heel counters, spring steel shanks, quality outsoles, select treated leather insoles, and fully leather-lined vamp and leg. Another wonderful thing about Olathe boots is that they are made by experienced craftsmen who have over a century of knowledge in bootmaking.

Photo Via demulen-fashion.blogspot.com

The popularity of women’s cowboy boots is undeniable but what are the reasons behind this popularity? According to experts, the no.1 reason is sheer sex appeal. While the design of the cowboy boot is merely functional in origin, all of the features of the shoe are associated with sensuality and often, passion.

Photo Via boisestyle.com

Although it is also reminiscent of the hardships in the Old West, today, cowboy boots for women, have a different vibe altogether. Cowboy boots are usually worn by fashionable women and even if they aren’t really bad girls, the bad girl profile is associated with them just because they are wearing cowboy boots. And they turn a few heads –that is undeniable.

Cowboy Boots and Hollywood

Phot Via stylescout.blogspot.com

Hollywood has had and still has a long standing love affair with the Wild West and along with its sheer sex appeal, cowboy boots for women are also featured in many a western films. According to psychologists, since this time period is so full of passion and romance and often, excitement, lots of women are attracted to western boots. Most of these women wear these boots too.

A Return to a Glorious Past

It is no secret that peoples from allover the globe say that America is just a place for a fast paced life i.e. fast food, e-commerce, etc. This is the reason why many go back to one of the most nostalgic parts of its history –the Old West when life was less harried and people were more adventurous and passionate about the things they do. America as a whole of course is still very passionate about certain things but no longer that passionate or as romantic as the Old West.

Women’s Cowboy Boots In Today’s Market

Western cowboy boots for women are available in a range of styles and colors. They are made from different materials too. With the increasing popularity of this fashion item, cowboy boot makers are now using exotic skin to make cowboy boots for women. This includes lizard, eel, snake, alligator, stingray and ostrich leather.