There has never been a better time to purchase a pair of cowboy boots than right now. Vintage western style is a constant trend, and cowboy boots will especially never go out of style. The only challenge with cowboy boots is finding the right pair.
To find the right pair (or pairs) of cowboy boots, it is crucial to examine all the different styles and find the best pair to match your personal aesthetic. Whether you want to channel the Wild West or bolden up your style with a chic pair of cowboy boots, there is a perfect style for you!
Before even considering what style of boots to buy, it is important to know where to buy your new cowboy boots.
Thrifting Cowboy Boots
When it comes to finding the most unique pair of cowboy boots, shopping vintage is your best friend — especially when you are shopping for authentic leather boots.
First of all, we all know about how (literally) painful it can be to break in leather shoes. Boots of high-quality materials offer durability and support. But first, you must make them soft and pliable. When shopping vintage, you can wear those cute boots as soon as they show up at your door.
Additionally, vintage sellers offer boots at a much more affordable price point and have unique styles from the past that aren’t necessarily even being produced anymore. Just scroll through a vintage selection of cowboy boots, and the variety of options and low prices make it obvious that buying secondhand is the best way to go.
Environmental Benefits of Shopping Vintage
Vintage clothes are unique, gorgeous, and well-preserved. It is a great way to find cool clothes to improve your style. Shopping vintage is also a great way to live sustainably and give back to the planet.
Buying clothes is something that we all have to do. Fast fashion makes buying new clothes cheaper and “convenient,” but it brings great harm to the environment.
Shopping vintage or secondhand slows the fast fashion industry and is a great step to take to be sustainable. Buying vintage clothes is a win-win situation: you find unique clothes while actively helping the environment.
Finding the Right Color
One of the more critical aspects of the search during the boot browsing process is identifying what color boot works best for you. While the classic conception of the cowboy boot is typically represented by brown leather, vintage cowboy boots actually come in a variety of different colors.
To find the right boots for your personal style, consider the following colors of boots that can be found while browsing a vintage seller’s stock.
The Classics: Brown Leather
A staple of the vintage Wild West aesthetic is a pair of brown leather boots. A decent pair of brown leather cowboy boots can match with virtually any item of clothing and can be a fun homage to the classic look of the western cowboy and cowgirl aesthetic. The versatility of brown boots makes them a year-round staple.
High-quality vintage brown leather boots match really well with a pair of vintage bootcut or skinny jeans or even on bare legs with high-waisted shorts. Regardless of how you intend on styling your boots, brown leather cowboy boots are always a fantastic choice for comfort and style.
Add To Your Closet: Black Boots
Black leather cowboy boots are another iconic style, and they are very easy to find vintage.
Perhaps you tend to go for a darker color scheme in your wardrobe, or maybe you just want a neutral color that goes well with anything — black boots are absolutely for you. Vintage black leather boots are readily available, affordable, and come in all kinds of patterns and sizes, so the perfect pair exists for you.
A Pop of Color
If you are someone with a bolder fashion style and are worried that you might not be able to find a pair of vintage cowboy boots to match, have no fear. There are plenty of cowboy boots that come in a variety of bright, popping colors.
For instance, look at bright red cowboy boots to add a fun pop of color to your outfit. Or, for a more pastel approach, you might consider a pair of vintage light blue cowboy boots.
Whether you want a pair of white, burgundy, yellow, or even green cowboy boots, there is a wide variety available for you.
The Cut of the Boot
Another important thing to look out for when buying cowboy boots is the actual cut of the boot itself.
Any boot connoisseur knows that the length of the boot you choose is as crucial as the style and color. Much like looking for the right color to match your personal style, you should identify the length of the cowboy boots that best match how you want to dress them up.
If you are looking to style them with a shorter dress, a pair of shorts, or really any item of clothing that leaves the legs exposed, then the length is not as important. Any cowboy boot with a shorter dress or pair of shorts is a look that never goes out of style.
Boot anatomy also refers to heel height and toe shape as well. Casual boots are commonly seen with a square toe or chunky soles. For an elevated mood, go for a block heel.
If you are looking to pair cowboy boots with a long pair of jeans, you might want to consider ankle-length boots (ankle booties) or shin-length. Booties might not be the most conventional way to wear cowboy boots, but they are unique and will go great with a pair of long pants.
Of course, calf-length boots are the most common size of cowboy boots, and they are relatively easy to style for everyday options. For a dressier look, consider knee boots. These "knee-highs" are great with tights and are a solid part of any boot collection.
Boot Designs
Part of the fun of owning a pair of vintage cowboy boots are the unique designs on each pair. So while searching for your perfect pair of cowboy boots, really take a look at the intricate details on each pair and see which style is right for you.
Some boots have beautiful patterns carved into the boot, like cacti or cowboy hat patterns detailed around the boot.
Some boots have fringe coming off the sides for a more fun kind of look. Other details can include studs, faux fur, buckles, or even a decorative (or functional) strap.
Every vintage pair of cowboy boots has a unique style and pattern, which is important to consider when searching for your new boots.
Saddle Up and Buy Some Boots
With cowboy boots on the rise, wanting a pair of your own is expected. They are fun, classic, and can be dressed up or down. Purchasing the right pair of boots might seem hard, but as long as you keep in mind what color, length, and style suits your personal style best, you’ll be rocking a pair of your own in no time.
Cowboy boots are fun and classic, and finding the right pair for you has never been easier.
Sources:
The Western Trend Is Alive and Well—Here's How to Wear It in 2020 | Glamour
Why Buying Clothes Secondhand Is the Best Way to Shop | Insider
Here’s Why You Should Never Shop at Shein No Matter What | Medium
After 8 Years, I Finally Know How to Wear My Cowboy Boots | Vogue