Kickin' It Up Cowboy Style
So, what's the deal with cowboy boots? Why do men and women alike seek these well-crafted icons? Because they're as classic as the LBD (or little black dress to those who don't speak "text-speak"), the navy suit and the pearl necklace. According to our old friend Webster, 'classic' is defined as; "serving as a standard of excellence; historically memorable and characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year." To be sure, the western boot can be incredibly elaborate in design or just simply because of an exotic material used such as ostrich or stingray. But here's how it all started...
Thanks to old school Hollywood stars such as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, these utilitarian shoes dating back to the era of Genghis Kahn took on a very glamorous update in the 1950's. Legend has it that Mr. Kahn wore very distinctive boots with a wooden heel. The English riding boot came into existence in the 17th-18th century. The recent riding boot was actually named after Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. The Wellington boot, as it was coined, was constructed in a four-piece format much like the modern cowboy 'kicks.'
Today's cowboy boots are as individual as those who wear them. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 - $600 for a good quality mass-produced boot. But custom boots can run as much as $50,000 plus! Well-known Hollywood celebrities and the everyday cowboys, like George W, have also contributed to the cowboy boot's timelessness. And like a good pair of blue jeans, boots just get better with time. To pay homage to the cowboy boot, we offer boot accessories such as our popular Genuine Turquoise & Silver Cowboy Boot Toe Tips, matching brass, gold, and silver heel guards such as our Fancy Gold Cowboy Boot Heel Guards, and all sizes and styles of western buckles, hats for every season, collar tips, and bolo ties to complete your western attire. Add an over-sized, colorful bandana for those dusty, hot days outdoors. These western-themed accessories are not only functional but also make wonderful gifts for that special cowboy or cowgirl in your life.
