The Cowboy Boot

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.

Wearing a broad-brimmed hat complete with a high crown goes as far back as the 13^th century when Mongolian horsemen wore them. The reason for these hats to have tall crowns according to cowboy hat enthusiasts is that it provided insulation for the wearer’s head. The wide brim on the other hand functioned as a shade. In hot, sunny climates such as Mexico for example, broad-brimmed hats are quite useful. The sombrero worn by Mexican horsemen of old is one good example.

Photo Via saywhydoi.com

Historical accounts on when the cowboy hat was invented are actually debatable and according to experts, it is not even clear when this type of hat started to be called a cowboy hat. It is interesting to note that Westerners did not really have a standardized headwear. In fact, people who moved to the western part of the United States wore different types of hats. This includes top hats, remains of Civil War headgears, derbies and sailor hats among others.

Contrary to what many people believe, it was the bowler who won the hearts of the people from the west and not the beloved cowboy hat. The bowler’s popularity prompted American author, gourmand and photographer Lucius Beebe to call the bowler’s hat as “the hat that won the West”. The cowboys of old who took care of farm animals and of crops in that part of America already wore broad-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the heat of the sun. These hats like the modern cowboy hat we are so familiar with also had high crowns. Although no one knows who really invented the cowboy hat, credit still goes to John Batterson Stetson who made the Boss of the Plains in 1865.

The water proof hat became an instant hit in the west. Apart from this feature, cowboys also loved the fact that they were lightweight and were easy to adjust depending on the size of the user’s head.

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 plan59.com

Founded in 1865 by John B. Stetson, the John B. Stetson Company is today’s no.1 cowboy hat maker. Although the company stopped manufacturing in the year 1970 and Stetsons were later manufactured by Hatco Inc., the quality of a Stetson was retained. Hatco Inc. also produces other leading cowboy hat brands such as Charlie 1 Horse and Resistol.

After a 10 year hiatus, Stetson went back to manufacturing its hats in the 80s but unfortunately went bankrupt by 86.

The contemporary history of the brand may be somewhat sad but its early days are definitely something that cowboy hat lovers should always remember. The Philadelphia company started making cowboy hats when they were needed for a western expedition. The most well known of the Stetson hats is the boss of the plains, the hat that still serves as today’s prototype for a great cowboy hat.

The factory is now located in Galveston Texas and still produces the iconic boss of the plains along with other cowboy hat variations made for both men and women.

It is not only its popularity that makes the Stetson special though because it is also a symbol of pride and bravery of the Old West. The Stetson has been worn by many a western heroes including John Wayne, Garth Brooks and Clayton Moore.

Although the Stetson is a badge of the west in general, the Texas State Historical Association says that it is the badge of a Texan. The Stetson hat, no matter where you are from in the American west, is definitely a true badge of a cowboy –a badge of honor too if you may since the cowboy hat has its own rules of usage and its own rules pertaining to respect for others. This includes the removal of the hat when one is passing by someone you know or when passing by clergy men or women.

Photo Via Wikipedia

A lightweight hat used for all types of weather, the Boss of the Plains is not just a design done by John B. Stetson but also an icon when it comes to cowboy hats. This hat is a part of history and definitely something a cowboy would want to have.

This elegant yet durable hat is waterproof but what makes it special is that it is the boss among all cowboy hats. It has the refinements of an elegant hat and the sturdiness required by every cowboy. It has a hat band for tightening and had a brim that was stiffened just the right way. The Boss of the Plains’ design includes a high crown made to give better insulation to the top of the head of the wearer. It had a wide brim and a stiff one too as means of sheltering the wearer from the elements protecting not only the face but also the neck and the shoulders.

The Boss of the Plains did not just come out as the perfect hat the first time it was made though because for years, John B. Stetson worried so much on how to waterproof the hat. He later on decided to make them from beaver felt. According to history, it took about 42 belly pelts from the beaver to make a high quality Stetson hat –high quality Boss of the Plains to be exact. Because of the quality of the felt and the stitching style used for it, this particular hat was sturdy enough to be waterproof. What is actually impressive about this hat is that it was also used as a bucket by cowboys of old –making the boss a multipurpose garment for every cowboy. One of the most popular cowboy stories is that of a man whose canteen had a leak. He saved his water by putting it on his Stetson.

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.

Photo Via thehorsecorner.com

For those who love to ride, you may need to take a look at boots that fall under the English riding category.  These boots are of course very English for a lack of better term but it pays to know how boots in general have evolved from one country to the other.

There are a number of riding boot designs and these boots look different depending on what they are intended for i.e. whether it is for pleasure riding or for horse shows.

Field Boots. These boots have lacing on the ankle part allowing the rider some flexibility. These boots are preferred for all jumping disciplines  such as show jumping, eventing, hunt seat equitation and fox hunting.

Dress Boots. These boots do not feature any type of lacing. They are stiffer than regular riding boots and are usually used by dress riders, those on a fox hunt and eventers. Sometimes these boots are also used by show jumpers.

Paddocks. Also known to some as Jodhpur boots, these boots are short and end just above the wearer’s ankle. More often than not, Paddocks are used for pleasure riding and since its conception was also used for everyday wear.

Cowboy Boots. This is not English of course but they are used as riding boots by western riders. They are either high heeled or have walking heels. The low heeled style is categorized as the roper. It is interesting to note that ropers are more like English riding boots –they end just above the wearer’s ankle but an inch higher than Paddocks. The usual length however is mid-calf to keep the western saddle from hurting the ankle and calf.

Tall cowboy boots on the other hand are seldom seen in riding since they are usually fashion items. These boots generally reaches the knees and are elaborately decorated.

Photo Via obscurecraft.net

Most ladies agree that there is just something about a man in a cowboy hat. Apart of course from the sheer sexiness of a cowboy hat and Hollywood’s projection of it, a good cowboy hat will surely make a woman drool –pardon us.

According to cowboy hat experts, it takes about 2 to 6 hours to make a good cowboy hat and that on its own is a telltale sign that cowboy hats aren’t cheap. Although there are the inexpensive kind that one can buy from the department store, getting a cowboy hat from the assembly line is definitely not the same as getting a Stetson.

The Stetson Hat Company has been making great cowboy hats since 1865 –remember boss of the plains? Yep, there you go. It is interesting to note that cowboys from history wore Stetsons and this even includes Calamity Jane.

So what makes a cowboy hat sexy? According to our search for data online, many women think cowboy hats are sexy because well, they could not explain it actually but one thing is for sure –it makes women sigh.

Cowboys are different. In fact, they are a different brand of men. Against the metrosexual, the cowboy is definitely the better choice for those who want to be treated as women. This is of course a bias among those who are in love with cowboy hats and men who wear them but hey, cowboy hats are super sexy and this is something many women cannot deny.

If you are looking into buying your first cowboy hat, make sure that you get a felt hat. The more Xs there are in the hat, the better but buyer beware, this can be quite expensive. Not to worry though because the more beaver there is in a cowboy hat, the longer it will last.