Unveiling the roots of cowboy boots and learning to care for your own pair
When you think of states that have cowboys, you may think of Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. If you thought about Tennessee, you are not entirely wrong that they claim cowboys. It lies east of the Mississippi River, so for all intents and purposes, Tennessee is not Western but rather a southeastern state with Western claims. People often use country and cowboy/western interchangeably because they both have to do with horses, hats, wide-open landscapes, and the "freedom" that comes with it. Because of this, Tennessee is seen a Western state even though it is country. Now you may be wondering if cowboy boots are country. In order to answer that, we have to look at the history of cowboys.
Cowboy culture started in the American West with the great cattle drives. That is where the wild west and the freedom of just living in the land by oneself and one’s horse come from. Cowboys first came from Mexican vaqueros who, just like cowboys, were cattle drivers for decades. Vaqueros were part of Texas originally since Texas used to be part of Mexico. This is important to note because the cattle drives started in Texas and usually moved northwards and finished in Kansas. At this point, you may be thinking, why do I care about cowboys’ origin? Because without cowboys, there would not be cowboy boots.
When it comes to how the boots came to be, there is no person to be accredited for. But rather, they evolved over time to become the iconic cowboy staples they are today. As I noted before, cowboys stemmed from Mexican vaqueros just like the boots did. Although vaquero boots are a bit different from what we now know as cowboy boots, they are the inspiration and creators of spurs. Cowboys realized that vaquero boots were not what they wanted because they had flat toes and shorter heels. Several cowboys started to request shoemakers to make their boots with a higher heel and rounded toe. That was the start of cowboy boots and then they evolved in various ways. As cowboys moved cattle across the plains, they started being associated with the West.
As you can see, cowboy boots are an integral part of cowboying. So, how did they become the phenomenon that they are today in the South? As you’ve read, cowboy boots were worker boots that later on became staples associated with cowboys. These boots were perfect for working on the farm and ranching, so it is no wonder that they soon flooded the South, where cowboying started to be associated with country. Plus, once the media got involved with country music and Western films, the line between country and cowboy started to diminish even more. Since Nashville, the heart of country music, is in Tennessee, cowboys also started to be associated with Tennessee. So the short answer to “Are cowboy boots country?” is yes. But the long answer is no. Do not worry, though, I am not claiming “cultural appropriation” at all! On the other hand, I want people to own and enjoy cowboy boots while also knowing where they came from. Now, I will help you to find the best pair of cowboy boots and give you tips on how to upkeep them.
Now, as a cowgirl wannabe who’s obsessed with western wear and cowboys, I have a few tips on cowboy boots. Number one, invest in a good pair. I am aware that cowboy boots are incredibly expensive and may seem like a luxury item. But let me tell you, they are worth every single penny, and you have to think about how real cowboy boots are handmade from scratch. A good pair of cowboy boots is not just a fashion statement but a piece of history made by artisans who specialize in making them. My personal favorite brand is Tecovas. I will note, though, that they are more on the expensive side since they are luxury boots. But if you are looking for more affordable boots, I would look at Boot Barn or even possibly second-hand boots! Boots last a long time since they are meant to be used out in the wild and for work. For anyone who is reading this and is vegan, I will be fully honest: I have no idea how good vegan leather boots are. Since real leather is used for boots and has been done so for centuries, I am sure there may be a brand out there with good pleather boots.
When it comes to the upkeep of your boots, here are my tips: To avoid creasing, make sure you put inserts in your boots when you are not using them. And I do not mean you have to buy fancy inserts for your boots, as there may be some cheap inserts out there. But personally? I use old newspapers and stuff my boots to preserve their shape, which is more environmentally and cost-friendly. Leather care is also important to upkeep them so they always look brand new. Regardless, please do not let these factors deter you from getting your boots dirty! After all, they are meant for the ranch, and it makes you look like an authentic cowboy.
Now you know the basic story of cowboy boots and how to take care of them. If you are looking into getting a new pair of boots, I beg you to either thrift them or get them from somewhere that specializes in the craft of boots. Tennessee, I have a reminder for you, too: You are not a cowboy state, you are country.
Inés Arroyo is a blog writer for Revolution. This article was edited by Meliha Ural.
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